Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord. Just as the wise men from the East long ago journeyed to see the newborn child Jesus, we too are called to do Him homage as well. Where do we see God manifested in our world today? How do others see Christ manifested in us? Let us pray that we see Him in all people in this coming year.
Christians first celebrated the Epiphany (or “the manifestation”) in northern Africa sometime during the 3rd century. This means our Church first celebrated the “Day of the Three Kings” even before we observed Christmas itself. In many parts of the world, Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 6, traditionally following the 12th night of Christmas of Jan. 5, but in the United States it now is celebrated on the first Sunday after Jan. 1, regardless of the day. This year it’s just one day off of the normal date. The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, normally celebrated on a Sunday, this year will be tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 8 and that will conclude our liturgical season of Christmas. When you return for Mass next Sunday we’ll be back in Ordinary Time. But Lent will be here before you know it on Feb. 14. (Yes, Ash Wednesday is on Valentine's Day this year!)
The end of 2017 also marked the end of an era for us at CtR as Charlotte Conner, our parish secretary, retired after 18 years. She has been the face and voice to all who have visited or called our office over the years, and the pastoral staff is indebted to her for her tireless work on behalf of all our ministries at CtR. Her organization, attention to detail, compassion for everyone, and warm smile has been a gift to all who pass by her desk on a daily basis. We’re happy that she and her husband Ken will still be active members of the parish. They’ll have more time for the Astros and grandchildren, both of which are both highly important to her! May God bless her in her retirement!
We knew we couldn't replace Charlotte so we didn't even try, but we are happy to announce that Carrie Taylor has joined our staff as our new Manager of Administrative Support. She'll take on several of the roles that Charlotte oversaw, but we also envision her role to be broader in scope as we work to streamline our administration and take advantage of improvements in our data management to better engage with parishioners. Carrie is a daughter of CtR, having grown up in the parish, and was active in Youth Ministry in high school and Young Adults after college, before later marrying her husband, James, here. She's uniquely qualified to assist us in helping all parishioners grow in their connection to the Church. We're overjoyed to have her on staff so please make her feel welcome in her new role at CtR.
In other news, allow me to echo what I wrote last week in the bulletin about my thanks for all who assisted with the Christmas liturgies. I again repeat my thanks, but truth be told because of publishing deadlines that message was actually written before Christmas had even taken place. I am writing this message in the new year, and having reflected on those beautiful liturgies and the selfless gift of time and talent of so many people I am even more filled with awe and appreciation. It’s impossible to state how many people gave so generously of themselves to help us celebrate the birth of the Lord with such beauty and grace. It was a joyous sight to behold. Thank you one and all.
We had terrific crowds this year, which is no real surprise. Our 4 p.m. Christmas Eve liturgy, coupled with our extra Mass in the Parish Hall, continues to be the top attended of all our services. We estimate that we had in the neighborhood of 3,000 people combined at that two services alone. To serve that many people really takes some logistical coordination. My sincere thanks to all our sacristans, acolytes,
Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion,
ushers, and greeters, as well as the
Art & Environment team and the facilities staff. And that was just one of 10 liturgies over the weekend. That selfless gift of service was repeated at each and every Mass. It takes so much energy to prepare, execute and then repeat beautiful liturgies time and time again over a very short time span. I’m convinced we priests and deacons have the easy part. It’s all the people working and volunteering behind the scenes who really make it happen. They have my deepest gratitude.
We had a wonderfully full church at the 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Masses, and of course, Midnight Mass was stunningly beautiful. I hope you enjoyed our recessional hymn at approximately 1:20 a.m., the famous “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.” I know it was late (or early depending on your view), but it truly rivaled the angels singing on high!
It’s so moving to see so many people working together to serve so many people – and, of course, by extension serving our Lord. It truly embodies what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The Church is the Body of Christ. We say that so often that it can run the risk of becoming a cliché. But at CtR that is lived out each and every Sunday. I pray that more and more of our parishioners will want to take up that call of Stewardship in this new year. In great and small ways alike it all works together to help us praise and glorify God which is what our hearts were made for. I continue to lift up in my prayers all who helped serve our Christmas liturgies. Thank you again one and all.
One other addition to my note of last week. I said we had donated gift cards to
Cypress Assistance Ministries (CAM) in excess of $17,000 through our Christmas Gift Card Program. Again, due to bulletin deadlines, that was an estimate on my part. Turns out the actual number was just slightly more than $20,000! Thank you very much. That’s a record contribution from our parish, and in a year when CAM had more requests than ever for assistance, it was much appreciated by all who received your generosity. The demand has been constant this year, especially in the wake of the summer flooding, and the kindness and generosity of so many from CtR helped make Christmas a little more bright for so many. My sincere thanks to all who brought in a gift card or two. God bless you!
A few other reminders: Next Saturday, Jan. 13 we’ll have our discernment for new members for the
Parish Pastoral Council at 8:30 a.m. in Room 111 of the Parish Office. The PPC is the advisory board that gives guidance and counsel to me as pastor on the mission and direction of our community. I’ve written about it in the previous bulletin, but those wishing to participate are encouraged to contact me for more details.
We thank the
Knights of Columbus for again sponsoring the 2018 parish calendars. The Knights distributed them after Mass last weekend, but we may (emphasis on may) have a few extra copies in the office if you are still in need of one.