Dear friends in Christ,

     This, That & the Other ... In this 2nd week of Lent we are invited up the mountain with Peter, James, and John as we hear the stirring account of the Transfiguration of Jesus in the presence of Moses and Elijah. This is always one of my favorite biblical passages, and you can see it depicted in one of the stained-glass windows in the church. It shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the law (Moses) and the prophets (Elijah), yet fear strikes the disciples and they don’t quite grasp what is happening. … What fear is keeping us from recognizing the Lord in our own lives? Do we hear God’s voice? What might we need to let go of in this Lenten season to be able to recognize Jesus at work in our lives?

     … A reminder about our announcement at all Masses last weekend: We are temporarily suspending Communion from the Chalice (the Blood of Christ) due to the concern over contamination relating to COVID-19, the coronavirus. For the time being, Holy Communion will be by only one species, the Body of the Christ, in the consecrated host. While not required, those who typically receive communion on the tongue are asked to consider receiving communion in the hand to further reduce the spread of germs. In addition, while we still offer the Sign of Peace to one another before communion, please understand if there are those around you who might not wish to shake hands. A simple nod and warm smile will go a long way to communicating God’s peace. Thank you for your understanding while we take these measures. Hopefully we can resume our normal procedures in short order. As always, let’s remember to pray for all of those who are sick and suffering.
 
     … Almsgiving, along with prayer and fasting, is one of the pillars of Lent, and a great way to practice that is through Operation Rice Bowl that were distributed at Mass recently. (If you need one, we have extras in the narthex and in the office.) We invite you to save your extra change, perhaps contributing the money you would have spent on that which you “gave up” for Lent. We’ll collect those once Lent is over and all the proceeds will go to support Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the U.S. CRS works to alleviate suffering and provide assistance to people in need in nearly 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.

     ... You can actually practice two of the three pillars of Lent at the same time when you pledge on-line. By registering with our automated electronic giving program, Faith Direct, you can fast from envelopes not only for Lent, but forever. We’re inviting parishioners to “give up” offertory envelopes during this season and make your weekly tithe on-line. It saves the parish money (less envelopes to print and mail) and makes it easier for you (no more checks to write or envelopes to remember to bring). Go to www.faithdirect.net and enter our parish code of TX150. It’s easy, fast, and secure.

     … Another great way to give alms is through your pledge to the annual Diocesan Services Fund. If you haven’t yet done so, please remember to return your pledge card to the office or in the collection basket, or better yet, make your pledge on-line. Additional pledge envelopes are available in the pews or in the office, but making your pledge on-line at www.archgh.org/dsf is the easiest option. Your DSF pledge goes to support the more than 60 ministries of the Archdiocese bringing God’s mercy to those most in need. Thanks in advance for your support of this yearly initiative that does so much good for so many in our archdiocese.

     … Recall as well in this 40th anniversary year of CtR we are collecting photos you might have of you and your family taken here at the parish. Please send us a digital copy to ctr40@ctrcc.com and we’ll begin to gather them for use in our upcoming photo mosaic that we’ll debut on our anniversary weekend, May 30-31. Any photo of taken at CtR is what we are looking for. It might be from a baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, wedding, Christmas, Easter – just as long as it shows the Body of Christ – you! – in or around the parish. It might be from long ago or it might come from last week, it matters not. Thanks for your help in this fun anniversary project.

     ... In other news, if you play a musical instrument, or played at one time and now have an interest in playing again, we’ve got a new ministry starting that is just for you. Our Music Department is hoping to establish the CtR Orchestra, an instrumental ensemble of adults and advanced high school-aged musicians who would periodically perform at Mass. The group is open to brass and woodwind players as well as strings. It’s a great way to dust off your instrument, loosen up your lips and fingers, and join us in praising God though music. … Interested players should contact Bridget Wenk, our Director of Music Ministries, for more information and to schedule a brief audition. My thanks to Mark Veenstra, who retired recently after 30+ years as the Band Director at Cy-Fair High School, for helping launch this new ministry for those who love music and are looking to share their gifts to our larger community.

     … Remember our Fish Fry every Friday in Lent. The Knights of Columbus served 1592 dinners on the first week last Friday, and thanks to their teamwork, kept wait times to no more than 10-12 minutes even at peak times. Hats off to the Knights! … Stations of the Cross follows in the Church at 7 p.m. every Friday, too, and remember the church is open on Friday mornings as well for those who might like to make the Stations of the Cross in private. … Lastly, and most importantly, God loves you. See ya’ at Mass – an hour earlier this Sunday as Daylight Saving Time begins! Remember to “spring forward” one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.