Dear friends in Christ,
This, That & the Other … We’re in the middle of a long stretch of Sundays where we are hearing from the Letter to the Hebrews in the 2nd reading at Mass. It’s one of my favorite books in the New Testament, but having read it often over the years I have to admit that it always leaves me scratching my head. It can be a densely theological work on so many levels, but I also find it (when I go back and read it a second time) to be powerfully uplifting as well.
Listen to the last line from the portion we’ll hear at Mass this Sunday (Hebrews 4:14-16): “So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.” I love the encouragement it gives! How do we approach the “throne of grace?” I don’t know about you, but I sometimes come at it somewhat timidly. Here, the author of the Letter to the Hebrews is telling us that is nonsense – approach with confidence! In doing so, we’ll find “grace for timely help.” Amen to that!
… In other news, as you’ve seen over the last two months since its dedication, we’ve hosted a number of events in our new Redeemer Activity Center (RAC) to show off the versatility of the building that is truly for all parishioners. Last Saturday’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the gym was a great success, and by that I mean a) all the kids who played had a super fun time, and b) we didn't have to call the ambulance for any of the adults who played (though it was close with James Taylor). This Friday, Oct. 19 we’ve got another great event planned, this time in our spacious new Youth Suite on the 2nd floor of the RAC. Connor Flanagan will be here in concert for our high school and junior high youth. It’s free and open to all teens. Connor is “where hip hop and worship meet” and he’s on tour promoting his third album. We’re excited to welcome him to CtR for this Houston performance. If you have a teenager in your house, make sure you let ‘em know about the show. It’s from 7-9 p.m. tomorrow!
… As mentioned last week, our 10th anniversary of the Church dedication will take place on the weekend of Nov. 16-18, and at the heart of the celebration is our Fall Service Day on Saturday, Nov. 17. We’ll have a table in the narthex this weekend to give you more information and allow you to sign-up to help serve our community and our neighbors. We are a church always in mission and families and individuals are encouraged to take part in being Christ’s witness to the world by serving in one of several work sites in the community. We’ll also have information on Solemn Evening Prayer (Nov. 16) and our Heritage Choir Concert (Nov. 18) that are part of the anniversary weekend. Click the link below or stop by the table to get involved.
… Thank you to all who donated to our “special” 2nd collection last weekend for Catholic Charities to help all those impacted by the recent hurricanes in Florida and North Carolina. If you still wish to give to that collection we’ll be happy to accept it at the front office. This week we have our regularly scheduled October 2nd collection for World Mission Sunday to assist missionaries throughout the world to help make Christ’s love known. … We are also happy to welcome back Fr. Ralph this weekend. He’s been in Italy for two weeks on a pilgrimage. I hope he brought back some gelato! … Our CtR Choristers (our youngest parish choir of elementary-age students) will be joining forces this weekend at the 11 a.m. Mass with our Chorus Redemptoris, which is the student choir from our very own CtR Catholic School. Individually both choirs are terrific, but put them together and it is positively heavenly. Come hear for yourself!
… We’ll hold our monthly Mass with Anointing of the Sick one week earlier that usual next Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. We normally do so on the last Wednesday of the month, but that’ll be Oct. 31 this year and that evening’s Mass will be the Vigil for All Saints the following day. Thus the Anointing Mass will move up one week this month only. … Speaking of All Saints on Nov. 1, remember that is a Holy Day of Obligation. We’ll have the complete schedule for you next week, but mark your calendars now and plan to attend. … Lastly and mostly importantly, God loves you! … See ya’ at Mass!