Oct. 2 update from Fr. Sean

Parish Update – Friday, Oct. 2

Happy Friday, everyone, and what a glorious day it is. The weather this week has been tremendous – truly Chamber of Commerce weather, as they say. I remember our old friend  Fr. Ryszard Kulma, our vicar from 2004-08 and now the pastor of St. Edith Stein Church in Katy, telling me the story about when he was in the seminary in Wisconsin how he came to visit Houston for the first time in about this time of year. The weather was picture perfect like it is now. He thought this must be the way it is  ALL the time in Houston, and elected to join our Archdiocese as a seminarian. Of course, he later learned about the heat and humidity of Houston summers, but it was too late, he was already here! At least we got a good priest out of it! 

This weekend is the  27^th Sunday in Ordinary Time and vineyards play a central role in both the first reading from Isaiah and our gospel from St. Matthew, as well as in the Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 80). Listen for the references to vineyards when you attend or watch Mass this weekend. It’s fitting, too, of course, as many vineyards are ripe right now and winemakers are busy picking grapes to turn into wine.

Isaiah tells us,  “The vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the people of Judah are his cherished plant.” However, the people of Judah long ago had turned from God, which is a good reminder for us to ask ourselves, “How does the vineyard of our heart grow?” The Lord desires we produce abundant fruit from the vine he has planted deep within us. Cultivate it wisely and carefully, my friends.

Speaking of vineyards, I invite you to join me in sending up a prayer or two for the many vintners in California that are facing great hardship in the wake of the terrible fires in Napa and Sonoma. I’ve visited that area often and walked among those vineyards. It’s heartbreaking to see the destruction that the fires have left behind. May all those impacted be consoled, and may the Lord give them the strength to rebuild and replant.

Here’s what’s happening around the parish this week:

• First, foremost, and always we invite you to please join us for Mass via our  livestream on Sunday at 9 a.m. on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. You can find the link to the livestream at  www.ctrcc.com/live-stream, and in addition, you’ll find there both a worship aid and a link to the Scripture readings to follow along with Mass. And you can make your weekly offertory contribution online at  www.ctrcc.com/donate. If you’d like to join us in person for Mass, we welcome you on Saturday at 5 p.m., or Sunday at 9 and 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

• We’re hosting  our fall Blood Drive this Sunday from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. If you are able to donate blood or platelets, please join us, and per the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, walk-ins will be accepted this time. Social distancing measures will be in effect, of course. Thanks to  John Tyler and the others from CtR who are helping to coordinate this for our parish.

• October is always designated as Respect Life Month, and this first Sunday of the month is  Respect Life Sunday. Of course we pray for the protection and dignity of human life every month and every Sunday (really, every day), but this weekend we lift up our hearts in prayer in a special way that we might always work to protect God’s great gift of life. October is also the month of the Rosary, so I would encourage us to pray the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary often this month, calling upon her intercession to increase the hearts of all men and women to honor the gift of life.

• Remember the ongoing  Hygiene Product Drive that our Respect Life and St. Anne’s Society are conducting this month. You are invited to donate adult and children diapers and feminine hygiene items via an Amazon Wish List (or drop-off in the narthex) and they’ll be distributed to women in need through CAM and Catholic Charities and at Our Mother of Mercy parish. I did so this past week via the Amazon Wish List link (found on our website at  www.ctrcc.com/respectlife) and it couldn’t have been easier. The items were delivered directly to the St. Anne’s Society, which in turn will take care of the distribution. It was the first time in my life that I bought adult diapers, but I suspect it won’t be the last!
 
• Sunday is also the Feast Day of  St. Francis of Assisi, though the celebration of it this year is eclipsed by the Sunday liturgy. That’s OK because tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 3, we will remember the beloved 13 ^th century founder of the Franciscan Order by invoking his blessing on some of our most beloved creatures in our  annual Blessing of Animals celebration. ... To help us honor social distancing guidelines, we’re making this a “Bless, Bark (or Meow) and Go” event so please plan to  join us anytime tomorrow between 11:30 a.m. – 12 noon next in the driveway between the Church and Parish Life Center. Stay in your car the entire time, and swing by under the covered drop-off in front of the Parish Hall. Fr. Vincent and I will be there for 30 minutes and we’ll be happy to bless all your pets, great or small, from six feet away. St. Francis of Assisi, pray for us!

• As we are now less than a month until the national elections on Nov. 3, I encourage parishioners to read  “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship” from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, a most excellent teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics. This statement represents guidance for Catholics from the Bishops in the exercise of their rights and duties as participants in our democracy. … All people of good will are encouraged to use this statement to help form their consciences; to teach those entrusted to their care; to contribute to civil and respectful public dialogue; and to shape political choices in the coming election in light of Catholic teaching. The statement lifts up our dual heritage as both faithful Catholics and American citizens with rights and duties as participants in the civil order. You can find the entire document free of charge, in both English and Spanish, along with a number of other key resources, in a link on the front page of our parish website,  www.ctrcc.com.

Leaders of parish ministries and organizations are reminded that there should be no distribution of materials, either via Flocknote, email, or other means representing their particular ministry, that may be construed as endorsing or opposing a particular candidate, party, or platform. The Church does not endorse any one candidate or party, and no one should be circulating material under the auspices of the parish that would imply otherwise. If you receive such communication directly from a CtR ministry or organization, please let me know. … Encouragement of prayer for the good of all and participation in the political process is welcomed, but we must take care to see that it is non-partisan in nature.  Again, I highly encourage all to read and reflect on the Bishops’ teaching document, “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.” May God bless our country and guide our hearts. 

• Our Adult Bible Study classes are off to a great start. Even through a video screen, we are encountering God in the Scriptures and growing in community.  There is still time  to register for the Catholic Scripture Study on First Samuel. This study will deepen your understanding of scripture and how to pray with it. Meetings will be held on Wednesday mornings 10 a.m.-12 p.m. beginning next Wednesday, Oct. 7 or on Sunday evenings, beginning on Oct. 11.  Register here or contact  Camilla MacKenzie, Director of Adult Discipleship,  for more information at  [email protected]. 

• Lastly, today, Oct. 2, is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Be sure and call upon your Guardian Angel through the popular prayer we learned as children (see below). Here’s a hint:  the prayer works just as well for adults as it does for kids! Never fail to remember God has sent his angels to watch over us and lead us to him. May we one day gaze upon the face of God in the company with the angels and saints. Guardian Angels, pray for us!

Peace, Fr. Sean