Having culminated the great season of Easter with the Feast of Pentecost last Sunday, the Church now turns her attention to Ordinary Time, weeks so named not because of their “ordinariness” but because they are numbered. Today is the beginning of the 10th week of Ordinary Time, and we’ll continue in Ordinary Time all the way to the end of November and the beginning of Advent. The first two Sundays following Pentecost are given special recognition with today being the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, or Trinity Sunday. Next week is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi Sunday.
Today we don’t just celebrate a rule or teaching of the Church, but rather the very mystery of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The doctrine of the Trinity is a belief that there is one God, yet Three Persons. How can that be? Three doesn’t equal one. Don’t think of “persons” as we normally do, i.e., I’m a “person,” you are a “person,” the guy next to me is a “person.” In God, the Three Persons are one being with a single, divine nature. The members of the Trinity are co-equal and co-eternal, one in essence, nature, power, action and will. It is one of the most complex theological doctrines of the Church and not easily explained or understood. But think of it this way: The Trinity is not a math problem to be solved, but a mystery to be lived. We are invited into the love that flows in and between the Persons of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. To be caught up in that active, dynamic Trinitarian love is our great hope and destiny.
With summer in full swing I am guessing that many of us are planning various trips and vacations. As I always do at this time of year, let me remind you not to take a vacation from Mass. While it’s understandable that we take a break from work or school, we are reminded in the Scriptures to bless the Lord always without ceasing. Sunday Mass is not an option – failure to attend is considered sinful. It’s understandable that our attendance naturally drops in June and July with people out of town on vacation. But wherever you go, I encourage you to find a local church in the area to attend Mass. It is a great experience to celebrate the Sunday liturgy in a different city or country. You’ll see the catholicity (universality) of the Church, where even if the language is different, you’ll still feel right at home. Bring me back a bulletin from wherever you go as I always like to see what different churches have going on in their corner of the world. The website www.masstimes.org is a great help in finding parishes in the area where you will be staying.
Let me also make a request that you not forget your home parish while you are gone. Our expenses don’t stop over the summer, and the air conditioning bill is always highest in these months. One great way to support the parish in the summer is by tithing through
Faith Direct, our online offertory contribution partner. Simply sign-up online and enter our parish code of
TX150. It only takes a minute or two to set-up and it’s a fast, easy and most importantly a secure way of making your contribution to the parish. I use it myself for my tithe and I find it a great convenience not to have to write a check. You can use it not only for the weekly collection, but also for your
Capital Campaign pledge for the new Redeemer Activity Center. Thank you for your continued support of CtR.
Another summer reminder is to please pay attention to our attire when we attend Mass. It’s a way we show our respect to the Lord and to one another when attending church. I wear shorts in the summer as much as anyone. They are almost a necessity for surviving Houston heat and humidity. But for an hour or so every Sunday we should strive for something more. Shorts, flip flops, athletic clothes, immodest or revealing attire is not appropriate for church. You wouldn’t wear a tuxedo or designer gown to a pool party, right? Let’s not wear clothes that are “too” casual to church. Wearing proper attire to Mass is a sign of dignity, respect and good manners.
Every time I write or talk about proper dress at Mass I always hear from a handful of people who think I’m being too strict. “God doesn’t care what I wear” or “At least I’m here so what does it matter what I’m wearing” are the most common refrains. I understand, and yes, I’m happy you are at Mass. No one is going to ask you to leave if you come to church in shorts. I’m simply encouraging us to reach for something more and not sink to the most basic level of civil dress. Think of it this way – we’re coming to a banquet for a King, and the King’s Son is the sacrificial offering. It’s done in remembrance of Him, and we are the beneficiaries of that offering. Let’s use that great gift as an occasion to raise our standards, at least in our dress for an hour or so on Sunday. Then we can race home, change into our swim suits, jump in the pool and give thanks to God who has blessed us in so many ways. That to me sounds like a great Sunday. I will now get off my soapbox!
A final reminder that our annual
Vacation Bible School starts in just over a week, June 19-23. Our morning session is full, but we do have openings for our evening session that runs from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each night. Don’t delay in signing up, however, so that we can have an accurate head count of who is attending.
Get your registration taken care of this week by on our website. It’s open for children from age 3 (who are potty-trained) through those who are entering 5th grade. Cost is just $30 which includes a T-shirt, snacks and crafts. That’s a heck of a deal for just $6 a day! We look forward to a spirit-filled week for all our children. My thanks in advance to our great team of adult and teen leaders, as well. And if you can’t make VBS, or just want another opportunity for your children to dive deeper into the faith, we also offer
Catholic Faith Camp for children entering 2nd grade through those entering 6th grade. That will be July 18-22.
Registration is open for CFC now on our website, too. There is always something going on for all ages at CtR. Come join us!