Search
-
September 14, 2023Dear friends in Christ,
As I write this Flocknote/bulletin letter, evening is falling over the holy city of Jerusalem. It's quite the sight, I have to admit, but by the time you read it on Friday or maybe Sunday, I'll be on my way back to see you in Cypress – and hopefully bringing the same 78 people who left with me a week ago Monday. I'll have more to share with you about pilgrimage soon, but rest assured of our prayers for you. Having made it to Jerusalem, our final four days here will be spent in and around the many places where Jesus ministered in his life, and it will culminate, as all things do, at the foot of the cross at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Calvary. The story doesn't end there, of course, and so we will celebrate our final Mass here in the Holy Land at the tomb where the stone was rolled away and Christ, the Redeemer, rose victorious. To Him be all the power, the glory, and the praise!
On to more local matters to us at CtR: this weekend is Welcoming Sunday for new parishioners following the 11 a.m. Mass. All those who registered the past several months, or who are just visiting CtR, are welcome to join us where we'll give you a brief overview of all that CtR is and can be with you as part of it! Join us in the Parish Hall. All are welcome.
It's also Catechetical Sunday in the Church in the United States, a day designated to mark the beginning of the new Religious Education year for children, youth and adults. It’s also our first day of the new RE year at CtR as classes begin this week for all our children and for junior high and high school youth ministry as well.
I am most thankful to our fine RE staff who have been hard at work preparing this year. We are blessed by a dedicated group who take seriously the commandment of Jesus to “go and teach.” To Linda Watso, our Director of Religious Education, along with her staff of Adilene Huff, Marisel Menendez, Heath Vogel, Angela Borges, and Carolyn Wells, we offer our sincere gratitude for coordinating the many aspects that go into a comprehensive RE program. Likewise we appreciate the great work done by Angela Sengenberger, Clint Carton, Kendall Kaulfus, and Stacie McKay in our Youth Ministry department. Their work would not be possible without our teachers, catechists, aides, and parent and core team volunteers. You are truly the backbone of our program and without your selfless gift of your time and talent, we would not be able to pass on the faith to the next generation. Thank you one and all. We’ll have a special commissioning and blessing today at all masses for our catechists as they begin this new RE year.
To the parents of RE students let me also ask that you join me in showing gratitude to your fellow parents who are catechists. Be kind to them and assist them as much as possible so that they may instruct your sons and daughters in the ways of the faith. They welcome your help! The role of parents is vital in the faith development of a child. A young person is in class only 75 minutes once a week. The rest of the time they are at home so it stands to reason that parents will shape the development of the faith. That is done by example more often than words.
One of the most important ways to develop the faith is to see that your children attend Mass on a regular (i.e., weekly) basis. Every year catechists tell me they are amazed when they ask their class how many of them went to Mass that week. Inevitably it is less than half of the students. I ask all parents to please make a commitment to worship with your children at Mass. We’ve restructured our class time on Sunday morning this year to help make that even more convenient. To sign them up for RE class is a good thing and I thank you for that, but please do not fail to have them engage with the Church so that they can give fitting worship to God. It will be the best hour of your week as a family, I promise.
Let’s take a sneak peek into October for a few events to put on your calendar now. October is Respect Life Month and we’ll have a variety of things on tap to highlight the dignity of the human person that month. I’ll have more details soon, but to get a jump start on it we are hosting our fall blood drive next Sunday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Parish Hall. You can sign up in advance to reserve a spot, or of course, drop-ins are most welcome after any of the morning masses. Platelets are also in great need and we will be set up to accept them as well as blood donations. If you are able to give, please consider doing so.
Later in October, we’ll have our annual Blessing of the Animals on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. in honor of the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, who was, of course, a friend to all of God’s creatures. Plan to join us in the driveway between the Church and Parish Life Center. It only takes about 15 minutes or so, but it’s a fun event. All creatures, great and small, are welcome to attend.
The annual CtR Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament is just a few weeks away on Columbus Day, Monday, Oct. 9 (Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day) at Windrose Golf Club in Spring with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Entry fee is only $150 and we have room for foursomes and single players. It includes lunch, dinner, swag bag, and plenty of fun along the way. Our Knights of Columbus do a great job of hosting it each year and proceeds go to benefit CAM and youth scholarships from the parish. See our CtR website for more information, or you can register directly on the Knights’ page at www.8771events.org/golf.
Speaking of the Knights, a final reminder that they will host, along with the Ladies Auxiliary, the annual Casino Night next Saturday, Sept. 23. It's always a social highlight of the fall calendar and will certainly sell out once again, so secure your tickets now to avoid being shut out at the door. Visit www.ctrcc.com/events/casino-night for the details and to buy tickets. Hope to see you there!
Peace, Fr. Sean