As of 4 p.m. Thursday, March 12 here’s what we can tell you: The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and Christ the Redeemer continue to closely monitor the ongoing concern in the community over the coronavirus (COVID-19). As you can imagine, this is a fluid situation and additional information is coming into us at a rapid pace. We are in contact with local public health officials and will continue to make adjustments to our schedule as conditions warrant. Please check our parish website (www.ctrcc.com/health) and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) regularly for the most current information.
First and foremost, let us be a people of prayer. Keep the Lord at the center of your life and call upon God for the gift of holy wisdom that we may act in accordance to his will for our life. It’s certainly understandable that one might be anxious in these days, so allow the Lord to bring you his comfort and peace. The fact that we are experiencing this in Lent is an opportunity to recommit ourselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving while keeping the cross always in our view. Please remember to pray for all who are sick and those who care for them.
Let us also be a people of wise discernment and good judgment. Heed the advice of public health officials and those who work in the science and medical fields. Of course, wash your hands regularly and practice good hygiene. If you are sick, stay home. Those who are elderly or with a compromised immune system and concerned about their possible exposure to the virus are encouraged to stay home. Be smart and safe – and holy!
We’re going to take things a day or two at a time and continue to reassess as needed. For this coming weekend, our plans include the following:
• Mass will be celebrated as usual this weekend, the 3rd Sunday in Lent.
• However, until further notice, the nursery will be closed during the masses that it is typically offered (9 and 11 a.m.) each Sunday.
• We have increased our cleaning schedule for the church and are instructing our facilities staff to increase our disinfecting of high traffic areas.
• The Knights of Columbus Fish Fry on Friday, March 13 will still take place, but only for take-out orders. There will be no dining in at the Parish Hall this Friday. Service hours will be the same: 4:30-7:30 p.m., but again, only for to-go orders. Upcoming Fish Frys during the rest of Lent will be handled on a week-to-week basis, and we’ll let you know as soon as a decision has been made.
• Stations of the Cross in the church will be prayed on Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m.
• Confessions will be offered on Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m.
• Men’s Fellowship will not meet this Saturday, March 14.
• Coffee & Donuts will not be held after masses this Sunday, March 15.
• Altar Server Formation will not be held this Sunday, March 15.
• Religious Education (RE) classes will not meet this week (Sunday, March 15, Monday, March 16, or Tuesday, March 17). The schedule for future RE class dates will be announced next week.
• Youth Ministry and Confirmation classes for Rise (Junior High) and Encounter (Senior High) will announce their schedule for future dates next week as well. (Encounter was already not meeting this Sunday.)
• CtR Catholic School will announce its plans for next week shortly in a separate message to parents, as will our Genesis Early Childhood Program.
For additional cancellations or postponements, please see our website. If you have specific questions regarding a particular ministry or group, please contact your ministry leader.
Again, please check our webpage at www.ctrcc.com/health for the most updated information. Thank you for being flexible and understanding as we do our best to make prudent decisions regarding the health of our parish community. Let us pray for the health of our sisters and brothers around Houston and beyond, and for wisdom and direction for our leaders, entrusting our prayers through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. #OurLadyUndoerofKnots. #