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February 2, 2017Dear friends in Christ,
On this Super Sunday we hear a super Gospel from St. Matthew (sorry, I couldn’t resist!) - “You are the light of the world.” Beautiful words from our Savior, but do we take them to heart? Do we see ourselves as that light sent to the world? Perhaps we hold back in letting our light shine for one reason or another. Maybe we’re burned out. Maybe we need to change something within us so we can glow again. Ask the Lord for the grace to see the light within you, and then go out to the world so that by your actions, words and deeds others might see the light of Christ in you.
As I mentioned at all the Masses last weekend, the 2017 Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) campaign is underway. To borrow a phrase from the theme of the day, we “kicked off” our “drive” last week, and I pray that we will “come together as a team” to see this to the “finish line.” Let’s not “fumble” this opportunity to go and make disciples through the more than 60 ministries in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. At Coffee and Donuts in the Parish Hall this weekend we’ll show a video that details the many good ministries that DSF supports. Look closely and you’ll see some CtR youth and one of our alumni priests featured in the video!
All registered parishioners should have received a letter from Cardinal DiNardo recently along with a personalized pledge card inviting them to participate in this year’s DSF drive. I know I got mine at the rectory this past week. We also have the pledge envelopes in the pews again this week. Complete the pledge card or the pew envelope and bring it with you to Mass next weekend or return it in the mail in the special envelope provided. Personally, I think it’s easiest to go online at www.archgh.org/dsf to make your pledge. That’s what I did and it couldn’t have been easier.
I’m often asked how much should a family give to DSF. That’s up to you to decide, and while I would encourage you to please don’t forget our weekly offertory for the parish and our Capital Campaign for our new Redeemer Activity Center, I might suggest we consider giving $1 a day (a $365 yearly pledge) to support DSF. That’s about $91 every three months. Remember that you don’t have to pay it all at once. You can spread it out through the year, and there are options for credit card payments or bank drafts. But you consider what is right for your family at this time. Pray over it, and make your pledge with a joyful heart. Remember all sizes of pledges are welcomed and needed. Nothing is too small or too large. We all benefit from what the DSF supports, so let’s do our part to reach our goal. Thank you.
In other news you may have noticed a new look to our bulletin. We’ve recently expanded it from 12 to 16 pages each week. We’re using more color and pictures and trying to arrange announcements more thematically. We’ll continue to tweak it in the weeks and months to come, but it is our hope that you will refer to it throughout the week to keep up-to-date on all the activities happening at our busy parish. Keep it in a handy place in your house so that everyone can see it. Of course, you’ll find it reproduced on our website each week, too, if you’d like to check it out electronically. We also have back issues archived there.
My thanks to our wonderful array of sponsors who make it possible for us to provide the bulletin to you free of charge. Please patronize the sponsors and let them know you saw their ad in our bulletin. Make a point to check the bulletin when you are looking for service providers in the area. Plumbers, electricians, mechanics, real estate agents, doctors, lawyers, home remodelers – just about everything under the sun is in our bulletin!
Our Genesis Early Childhood Program, for children from 18 months through 4 years old, has open registration for parishioners beginning this Tuesday, Feb. 7. We have openings for both our two- and three-day a week programs. Go to our parish website for more information. There you can download and complete the necessary forms, and then bring those with you beginning at 8 a.m. on Feb. 7. Space is limited so don’t delay. We almost always fill the available spots quickly. Genesis is entering its 22nd year at CtR and is a wonderful program for our youngest parishioners. Come see all that it has to offer your child.
My thanks to everyone who donated coats and other items recently to the St. Anne’s Society Winter Coat Drive. We had a terrific response and collected several boxes full of items to donate. Thank you one and all, and very special thanks to the women of St. Anne’s Society for coordinating the drive. If you don’t know, St. Anne’s is our group for young mothers and I highly encourage the moms of the parish to check out their many activities. A more dedicated and faith-filled group you will not find, and they are a great resource for first-time moms especially.
Speaking of St. Anne’s Society, let me close with a story I heard last week at our New Parishioner Luncheon. A young mother related how she moved to Cypress last year due to her husband’s job transfer. They left their long-time church in Oklahoma and soon found themselves at CtR, which was bigger than any church they had ever known. It was intimidating at first. They didn’t know a soul and didn’t know where to begin. They could’ve easily faded into the background, or worse, drifted away from the faith. But they decided to be pro-active. The mom found one group – just one, our St. Anne’s Society – and chose to join. From there she met a few other moms, and from there she found people in her neighborhood who came to CtR. In a small group setting, she and her family were able to find a place in the bigger church. And now, six months, later, they are getting involved in more activities and ministries.
What a beautiful example of “finding your place!” If you are new to CtR, or if you’ve been here a while but still don’t know where you fit in, I hope the example of that mother will spur you to find one ministry or group that you can be part of. From there, the hospitality and warmth of the people of CtR will draw you in further. God is calling all of us to a deeper union with Him, and your parish of CtR is ready to assist you to find that place. As Andrew once said to Peter, “Come and see.”
Peace,
Fr. Sean
