Dear St. Angela Merici Family,
We feel sorrow about not being able to gather together for Mass this Sunday. I also long to see all of you, but during this time as we consider the health of our community, we keep vigil together from our homes. Though we are apart for now, I want to recommend that we all set an intention this weekend to prepare to receive Christ into our homes so that we can worship Him there.
We are excited to gather with you digitally through our video of the Mass, which we will be posting at 10 am Sunday. Here’s the link to access the Mass: Here.
But first, let us remember that the Church teaches that our families' homes are the Domestic Church. “The Church is nothing other than ‘the family of God.’ From the beginning, the core of the Church was often made of those who had become believers 'together with all their household' (CCC, 1655).” This means that St. Angela Merici is built up of many churches — because each of your homes is a Domestic Church.
So I want to encourage all of us to make our homes sacred starting this weekend.
So I want to encourage all of us to make our homes sacred starting this weekend.
Live in the Light
Designate a spot in your home to become your “home altar” — maybe it’s the fireplace mantle, a side table, or even a shelf in an easy-to-access closet. Decorate it with items like icons, candles, or rosaries that will lift your mind and heart to God. If you’d like ideas on how to do this, you can use this guide from Blessed Is She.
Take 10 minutes and make a small home altar today. As Catholics, we believe God gave us this physical world to experience physically. Once you have made a home altar, gather around your new home altar together as a family, and use this prayer to bless your home. Invite God into the physical spaces you will be spending much of your time in over the next few weeks.
Fr. John’s Tip for the Weekend
Once you have a sacred space setup in your home, you can use this space to honor the Sabbath this weekend! Here are the readings for this weekend. I recommend that you take some time with your family together to read through them and reflect on them, maybe before dinner on Saturday night. This way, when you join us for Mass on Sunday online, you are spiritually ready!
We invite you to join us for Mass this Sunday online at 10 am for a Mass offered for our parish family. Here’s the link to the Mass: https://stamericigh.com/watchmass
We invite you to join with your family at home and participate as much as you are able during the recording, bringing your concerns, your loved ones, your intentions for the world to the altar. Here are some more tips from Fr. Steven Pullis on how to celebrate this Sunday at home.
I am with you in spirit and in prayer this weekend,
Fr. John Cahoon
I am with you in spirit and in prayer this weekend,
Fr. John Cahoon
Please consider donating online during our Sunday collection at our video mass, so that we can continue to support our community during this time of need. Click here to donate online: Faith.Direct/TX744 or you can mail your donation to St Angela Merici Catholic Church, 6140 Hwy 6 PMB 99, Missouri City TX 77459