Bulletin for March 11

Dear friends in Christ,

This weekend we celebrate the 4th Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, from the Latin word “rejoice.” It is a day of joy in the midst of the penitential season of Lent, much like Gaudete Sunday is in the third week of Advent. It’s not quite Easter yet (we still have no Gloria or Alleluia at Mass), but it lets us know that our journey is in the homestretch. Keep the faith! It’s also the second scrutiny for our Elect at the 9 a.m. Mass as they make their way to the waters of baptism. Please remember to keep them and our Candidates for full communion in your prayers.

Today is also the annual collection for Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Don’t forget to keep up your efforts at home with the CRS Rice Bowl initiative. We distributed those on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday, and each year CtR is one of the biggest supporters in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston of CRS through CRS Rice Bowl. We’ll collect those in the Easter season, but I hope the savings from your Lenten sacrifice are finding their way now into that great cause. Don’t bring your Rice bowls to church just yet, however. We’ll collect them beginning April 8 after we celebrate Easter Sunday on April 1.

It’s not too early to begin thinking about our upcoming CtR Spring Festival, which will take place seven weeks from this weekend on April 28-29. This year marks our 33rd anniversary of our Spring Festival and the core committee, led by our dedicated chairpersons Mike and Camille Havelka, have been hard at work for months already with the planning and preparations. All signs point to this being a very special year for our Festival. I know Mike has lots of tricks up his sleeve that will entertain us and bring us even more enjoyment (if that’s possible!) at our Festival.

It’s no secret that what makes the Spring Festival such an awesome event for our parish and community is the great number of people who volunteer their time and talent over the weekend. It is Stewardship in action. Your help is especially needed to staff a shift or two (usually in a block of two hours each) in one of our many booths, rides and games. The help and support of everyone in the parish, both young and old, is most needed. It’s a great way to give back to the life of the community. I highly encourage us all to make a commitment of time and talent to help our parish at the Spring Festival.

We will begin online sign-ups next weekend, beginning on Saturday, March 17 through our parish website, or simply follow the link on the main front page. Click that and you are only a few easy steps away from signing up to help at one of the many areas in need. We’ll have the opportunity in a few weeks where you will be able to sign up after Mass, but if you sign up now online you will get your pick of the places and times that best fit your schedule. It couldn’t be easier. In particular, I would ask that you please consider taking one of the open spots for a booth chairman. We have several to choose from, and it’s a great way for a family or team to be involved in the Festival. You don’t have to do everything – in fact, our committee has done a great deal of the work already. We just need folks to share the load by overseeing a booth. You can get your friends and neighbors involved, too. It’s a great way for a group (maybe a classroom or ministry) to work together throughout the weekend. 

I ask that you please take a moment now and get ready to do your part to help our community for this great event. All ages, young and old, can play a part in making it a great success. Look for more Spring Festival news coming soon – a mailing went out this past week to all registered households. It includes tickets and information about our annual raffle for a chance to win a new car, advance dinner tickets, and the always popular Festival T-shirts. Mark your calendar for April 28-29. We look forward to seeing you here!

Finally, this Tuesday, March 13, is our annual Lenten Reconciliation Service at 6:30 p.m. in the church. We’ll have multiple priests here to hear confessions. I especially encourage you to take advantage of this time to experience the powerful grace that comes through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Don’t wait until the end of Lent when the lines are longest. Take advantage of this chance to celebrate this sacrament now. Let me make a special plea that if it has been a few years since you last went to confession, please make it a point to come now and be reconciled to the merciful Father and the Church. If you “forget what to do” or “don’t know what to say,” fear not. The priest is there to help you. God’s mercy and healing love await.

Did you hear what Pope Francis said about confession last week? In a homily at one of his daily Masses, he said confession is like the Lord inviting you to get a cup of coffee. What a great analogy! While some people are intimidated by the sacrament of confession, the pope said that the confessional is not threatening, but should welcome sinners to conversion. It is a sacrament that leads to “forgiveness, and a change of heart,” he said. “He (Jesus) does not threaten,” but instead prompts His children with “kindness, gentleness, giving us confidence,” the Holy Father said. “This is how the Lord calls us: ‘Come on, let’s have a coffee together. Let’s talk this over, let’s discuss it. Don’t be afraid.’”

What great words of wisdom from the Holy Father. Do not be afraid! We’ll see you for confession (and coffee, if you’d like) this Tuesday.

Peace,
Fr. Sean

P.S.: Remember that today is our annual St. Joseph’s Altar pasta luncheon and bake sale in the Parish Hall. We’ll start with the blessing of the altar, which will be beautifully decorated with all manner of baked goods and treats, at 10:30 a.m. (following the 9 a.m. Mass), and then the serving line will be open continuously until 1:30 p.m. so others can attend after the 11 a.m. Mass. Dinners are $6 for adults and $3 for children, while kids 5 and under are free. All proceeds from the dinner and bake sale go to benefit Cypress Assistance Ministries.