Dear Epiphany Parishioners,
I hope and pray that this correspondence finds you and your family doing well during this limited opening up time of the pandemic health situation. In the course of these two past weeks, I trust that you have heard the announcement, on-line or at Mass, that Fr. Martins Emeh has been given a new assignment in the Archdiocese. Beginning July 1st, our beloved parochial vicar, Fr. Martins, will serve as the parochial vicar at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. It is always a bitter-sweet moment in the life of a parish when a priest transitions to a new parish assignment. We are sad because we will miss seeing Fr. Martins every day here at Epiphany yet we are supportive of him in all that goes into making the transition to a new parish as well as being grateful to God for Fr. Martins’ dedication and ministry to our community. On the last weekend of this month, on June 27 and 28th, our parish will have a farewell reception following all of the weekend Masses so that we have an opportunity to offer our best wishes and assurances of prayers to our parochial vicar. Rest assured that the receptions to say farewell to Fr. Martins after each Mass will adhere to the pandemic safety measures, including wearing facial masks by all and avoiding physical contact with one another. We will also have a Drive-Thru Appreciation Event on Monday, June 29th from 6-7pm outside the church under the covered drop-off. On behalf of the Epiphany of the Lord Community, I offer my deepest gratitude and blessings in thanksgiving to Fr. Martins for his priesthood and his service to the Church.
Our new parochial vicar here at Epiphany will arrive on July 1st. Fr. Joseph Methanath, OSH comes to us from St. Thomas More Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, where he has been doing ministry for the past three years. Fr. Joseph was ordained in 1991, and has been a priest for 29 years. From the attached photograph of Fr. Joseph, you might recognize the resemblance to our former parochial vicar, Fr. Thomas. They are actually brothers! (Fr. Joseph being the 7th and Fr. Thomas being the 8th of 9 children in their family. And you might remember one of their sisters is a religious nun.) Fr. Joseph is from the same religious order of the Society of Oblates of the Sacred Heart. Some highlights of his past priestly ministries included serving as the Superior General of his religious order and having served in South Africa for 15 years. He speaks fluently 4 languages. Fr. Joseph is originally from Kerala, India. I have visited with Fr. Joseph and given him a tour of our parish, and he has expressed his excitement to meet the parishioners of Epiphany and begin ministry with us here at his new home.
These summer months continue to be a time of transition and challenge for many of the parishes in the Archdiocese. Thank you for your kind support and prayerful remembrance of our parish clergy. Please trust that you are in our priestly intentions in the Lord as we continue to pray for our community and for the healing of the world.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Fr. Tom Lam
