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March 20, 2025Dear friends in Christ,
On this 3rd Sunday of Lent, we hear what I would call a “cryptic” parable about a fig tree that won’t blossom. The orchard owner is of the mind to cut it down, but the gardener succeeds in buying more time for the fruit to show forth. If not, then he’ll relent to his master’s wish and cut it down. Strange isn’t it? (If you are attending the 9 a.m. Mass today with our RCIA catechumens, you’ll hear a different passage from St. John about the woman at the well.)
The parable of the fig tree and the patient gardener is not a reminder to plant your spring vegetables, but it is a reminder to get the garden of our heart in order. These Lenten days are the time to turn back to God, to repent of our sins, and to trim away anything that is keeping us from blooming as we should. The message is clear, however: don’t delay for the master desires that we show forth the fruit of his love in our lives.
Please keep our catechumens and candidates in your prayers as they journey to Easter and full reception into the Catholic faith. Over the next three Sundays of Lent, beginning this week, the catechumens (i.e., the elect) will undergo what is known as the “scrutinies” at the 9 a.m. Mass. These are small liturgical “check points” to prepare them for baptism at the Easter Vigil. It’s a powerful reminder for them and for us of the need for conversion throughout our lives.
Next Sunday, March 30, we’ll celebrate our Teaching Mass at 7 p.m. This is an extra Mass we add to the schedule once every other year for our Confirmation youth and OCIA elect and candidates where I'll narrate and explain what is happening in the course of the liturgy. It’s Mass, but with a commentary through it that helps break down the why behind what we do when we celebrate the Mass. While it’s geared to those two ministries, anyone is welcome to attend to learn more, but just be forewarned that it is longer (we’ll conclude at 8:30 p.m.) in duration. And, yes, it “counts” for your Sunday obligation, because it’s still Mass!
Please pray for our new Archbishop Joe S. Vasquez who will be installed this Tuesday, March 25 at 2 p.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston. While space is limited and tickets are required to attend the installation Mass, it will be livestreamed on the Archdiocesan website at www.archgh.org/live. May God bless our new shepherd as he begins his ministry in Galveston-Houston. Ad multos annos!
Next weekend will be the official kick-off for our 40th annual Spring Festival scheduled for May 3-4. We’ll hear from our Festival leadership team members, and have the great looking, ever-popular Spring Festival t-shirt available at all masses, and we’ll distribute raffle tickets, and start our sign-up for the various volunteer ministries, booths, rides and games. The Spring Festival runs on support from you, and the only way it is successful is through your participation. This is a great way for everyone – young and old alike – to practice the gift of Stewardship and give back your time to the parish and community. Given that it is just six weeks away, here are some ways to help now:
• Take a book or two of raffle tickets ($10 each; $100 for a book of 10) as you leave Mass. It’s the No. 1 way you can support the festival! Buy them for yourself, and of course, sell them to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors. Enter to win a chance for the Grand Prize of $12,000 in a Visa Gift Card, and there are multiple other prizes of $5,000, $2,500, $1,000 and $500 gift cards, too. But you cannot win if you do not enter!
• Another great way to support the Festival is with our 40th anniversary edition of the t-shirt. It’s a sharp-looking throwback to one of our most popular designs ever, the CtR shield on a blue field. Not only do you look great, but you’ll be helping to spread the word about the Festival whenever you wear it. It’s what all the fashionistas will be wearing at H-E-B this spring!
• Underwriting and sponsorships make the festival happen. As a sponsor, you can elect to put your family’s name on one of our many festival booths. Sponsor our games booth for $150 or our prize booth for $100, or one of the many other options that are available. And, of course, you are invited to partner with another family or two to go in together on a sponsorship.
• Likewise, you can partner together with others to be a booth chairperson, and we have several booths that are in need of volunteer leads: Cake Raffle, Coke/Drinks, Soda Ring Toss, Iced Tea, Tex-Mex Food, Mystery Prize, Shuffleboard, and Spin Art. Booth chairs decorate their booth, contact their booth volunteers pre-Festival, open and close the booth both days of the Festival, and check-in periodically during the weekend, especially at volunteer shift changes. It's a great way to support the Festival and the parish by banding together with family and friends to sponsor a booth. Email us at [email protected] to get started.
• Our ever-popular mystery booth needs your support. Gifts cards from $10 to $100 from restaurants, clothing, and other retail outlets are welcomed. This has proven to be one of the most popular booths of the whole festival the past several years. You spin the wheel and have a chance for a gift card to Starbucks, Whataburger, Sonic, etc. What’s your favorite? Wherever you like to eat, the chances are they sell gift cards. Pick up a few the next time you stop in (somewhere in the $10-20 range seem to be the most popular), and then drop them off at the Parish Office or at the festival booth after Mass beginning next weekend.
• Begin sorting and collecting items you want to donate to the Flea Market. We will start accepting donations a week before the Festival, but now would be a good time to do some spring cleaning and decide what you want to donate. As someone who will be moving in the near future myself, I can tell you that I will definitely be donating to the Flea Market. Come buy my stuff and give back to the parish in the process! Remember that we cannot accept clothing, shoes, or mattresses, and if you are donating electronics, please include power cords and manuals.
Questions about how you can be involved in our biggest event of the year? The webpage www.ctrcc.com/springfestival is your go-to place for the latest info, or you can email us at [email protected] or call the parish office at 281-469-5533. Thank you for supporting our biggest fundraiser of the year. All proceeds go right back to helping our mission to pass on the faith right here at CtR.
Peace, Fr. Sean