Dear friends in Christ,

     This, That & the Other ... This Sunday promises to be super in more ways than one. (I like the Chiefs to win, but think it’ll be close.) Our gospel comes from St. Luke – the story of the Presentation of the Lord in the temple 40 days after his birth. Mary and Joseph fulfill the law by bringing their infant son up to Jerusalem, the same place where years later he will be lifted up. ... This Sunday’s feast of the Presentation of the Lord is also known as Candlemas and includes a blessing and presentation of candles at the beginning of Mass. Jesus is truly the light of the world and we invite you to bring your candles from home that you’ll use throughout the year and we’ll bless them. Let us resolve to carry that one and same light of Christ in our hearts and lives as we go forth to make him known.

     ... One great way to carry forth that light to others is by “Bringing Our Greatest Gifts to the Lord.” That’s the theme of the 2020 Diocesan Services Fund (DSF) campaign that begins this weekend. To borrow a phrase or two from the big game, we are “kicking off” our “drive” this week, and I pray that we will “come together as a team” to reach the “goal line.” Let’s not “fumble” this opportunity to be instruments of God’s mercy through the more than 60 ministries in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. In the narthex and at Coffee and Donuts in the Parish Hall after all masses we’ll show a video that details the many good ministries that DSF supports.

     ... All registered parishioners should have received a letter from Cardinal DiNardo recently along with a personalized pledge card inviting them to participate in this year’s DSF drive. I know I got mine at the rectory this past week. We also have the pledge envelopes in the pews this week. Please complete the pledge card or the pew envelope and drop it off today, or bring it with you to Mass next weekend. You can also return it in the mail in the envelope provided, or drop it off in the office. Personally, I think it’s easiest and fastest to go online at www.archgh.org/dsf to make your pledge. That’s what I did to make my pledge and it couldn’t have been easier.

     ... We’re hosting an Understanding Annulments information meeting this Saturday, Feb. 1 at 10 a.m. in Room 111. We get several requests every month from those seeking information on how to have a previous marriage declared null and so this is a great opportunity for us to share with the larger community about just what an annulment is – and isn’t. There is an awful lot of misinformation circulating on what is required and how long the process takes. It’s not as daunting or cumbersome as you might have been led to believe. ... Fr. Richard Wahl of the Tribunal of the Archdiocese will join us and lay out in clear terms what is required and how the process takes place. We’ll have some our nullity advocates from the parish on hand to assist as well. If you have a previous marriage of any kind – regardless of whether it was a church marriage or a civil marriage – I invite you to come to learn more about how we can assist you in petitioning to have it declared null so that you might participate fully in the life of the Church.

     ... Moving forward, the following weekend, Feb. 8-9, will be Stewardship Sunday at CtR. I’m looking forward to it this year as we have a new 32-page Stewardship booklet to present to everyone. It’s been a few years since we produced a new booklet that outlines all of the ways to put our gifts to service of the Lord through our Time, Talent, and Treasure. Everyone will receive a copy at Mass next weekend (we’ll have extras available, too, in the weeks ahead) and I plan to speak at all the Masses on how we can more intentionally live out Stewardship at CtR this coming year. ... Also at Mass next weekend we’ll have multiple tables in the narthex with various members of our parish staff and ministry leaders available to share more with you on how you might find a place to put your gifts to service – or to borrow a phrase from our Candlemas celebration this week, how we can fashion a place in our hearts to allow the light of Christ to shine through us to others. It is my sincere hope that we will all take time to discern how we are using our gifts that come from God alone, and resolve to be good stewards in this 40th anniversary year of CtR. The Lord has blessed us all abundantly, and it is great joy to return a share of that blessing through stewardship of those gifts.

     ... On this Super Bowl Sunday, as has been the tradition, the Knights of Columbus will have tamales for sale after Mass. Stock up for the game and be the hit of your party. (It's also CAM Food Pantry weekend so bring some canned goods to help restock their shelves as you pickup your tamales – that's a win/win for everyone!) The KCs will also have tickets for their upcoming Valentine’s Day Dinner and Dance for sale. That’s scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15 in the Parish Hall. ... Remember as well that we have our Winter Blood Drive happening this Sunday after the morning masses. Walk-ins are more than welcome so if you can give the gift of life, please plan to donate. ... Lastly, and most importantly, God loves you! See ya’ at Mass!