Dear friends in Christ,
This, That & the Other ... This Sunday is the final day of the liturgical season of Christmas and the
Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, a remembrance of Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River at that hands of John the Baptist. It’s also a wonderful opportunity for us to recall our own baptism and what happened to us on that day. … For the great majority of Catholics, the day of our baptism is one we have no memory of if, like me, you were baptized within a few weeks or months of your birth. How odd is it that a day on which we are saved is lost forever in our memory? Shouldn’t we have fond recollections of it? But it’s all gone, save for a few photos (or videos in recent years) and maybe what we have learned from our parents or Godparents. ... The truth be told though, as great as the memory might be, it is the effect that matters. Whether we remember “the moment” itself is immaterial. What’s important is that on the day of our baptism we were claimed for Christ. Our parents and Godparents spoke up for us on that day and said, yes, this child will accept the calling of Christ. What seems almost routine is in fact the most important decision in our entire life. Whether we live 90 more years or 90 more days matters not because nothing can ever surpass what we inherited that day at our baptism. Do you know the date of your baptism? If not, look it up and celebrate it as a sort-of “second birthday!” … This Sunday, Jan. 12, you have
one extra Mass to celebrate your second birthday at CtR. We are hosting one of four Archdiocesan Masses of Adult Confirmation at 7 p.m.
Cardinal DiNardo will be here to confirm those adults who never received that important sacrament in their younger years. It’s always held on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (and Pentecost) each year, and we’re happy to be one of the host parishes. If you’d like to attend, you are welcome to do so and it will satisfy your Sunday obligation. Note Mass will be a bit lengthier due to the confirmations (about 125 people, I believe), but all are welcome.
... As the new year gets going it is my hope that we can offer more opportunities for spiritual growth in 2020 at CtR. I’m proud of the number of such spiritual initiatives already in place (ACTS, Eucharistic Adoration, spiritual direction, etc. –
there's a new bible study starting next week, too), but I’m convinced that if we are to grow in holiness as the Lord desires for us, we need time to listen to his voice in a prayerful and reflective manner. To kick us off this year, I invite the women of the parish to consider joining us for our
inaugural Women’s Retreat on the weekend of February 7-9 at Camp Allen, about 30 miles to the northwest of the parish in Navasota. ... The retreat will focus on Jesus words from St. Matthew's gospel,
“You are the light of the world,” and provide an opportunity to discover, nurture, and radiate the light of Christ. The weekend will include time for silent reflection, Mass, directed talks, and prayer, as a means to discover practical ways to live out our Christian discipleship. I’m grateful for the team of women from CtR that has designed this weekend for their sisters in Christ and I truly believe it will be a great gift for all to come away for a while, to be transformed, and to be renewed in Christ. The retreat is filling up quickly, so make plans to attend now. Information on registration is available at
www.ctrcc.com/womensretreat.
... Remember this Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon in the Church we’ll be
hosting a training for Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs). This is a great way to put your Stewardship of Time into service at the parish by helping us distribute the precious Body and Blood of Christ at Mass. Every week more than 100 parishioners are needed over our five masses to help our fellow parishioners receive communion in a reverent and timely manner. Come join us for the training and we’ll help you get started in this vital parish liturgical ministry. ... On Sunday, Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. we’ll be presenting
a screening of the “The Way” in the RAC Auditorium. This film is about a journey of self-discovery and reconciliation as a father (Martin Sheen) completes The Camino, a pilgrimage walk on The Way of St. James, for his son who died on the walk. There is no charge and several parishioners who made this walk in September 2019 and will be briefly sharing their experiences following the film.
… My thanks to the St. Anne’s Society (our young mother’s ministry) that sponsored the Winter Coat Drive last weekend. We’ll still collect them this weekend, too, in the narthex. … Also, I got word from Cypress Assistance Ministry that the final tally for the Giving Tree Program (collection of gift cards for those in need) topped out at $19,435! Thank you one and all who helped us help others this past Christmas. Those gift cards went right away into the hands of our brothers and sisters in Christ to help those in Operation Jobs (for gas to go to interviews), Client Services (those needing an extra help at Christmas), and the Food Pantry (food on the table). Thanks for making a brighter Christmas for so many in the Cypress area through your generosity. ... Lastly, and most importantly, God loves you! See ya’ at Mass!