Parish Update – Friday, August 7

Happy Friday, everyone! We’ve made our way into August, a month I’m never fond of too much because a) it’s hot as blazes, and b) it signals the beginning to the end of summer. School will be starting soon – a little later this year due to the pandemic, but soon enough nonetheless – and it seems the carefree days of the summer are slipping away. Of course, given that most days blend together this year, perhaps we can hold on to it just a bit longer.

We had a nice crowd this morning for daily Mass as many of our parishioners have a special love of the traditional First Friday Devotion. You may remember back in June we spoke about the Feast of the Sacred Heart, and the First Friday devotions are dedicated each month to honoring that one and same Sacred Heart of Jesus, as popularized by St. Margaret Mary Alacoque from the 17^th century. I invite you to join us one upcoming First Friday and make your own special devotion to the Sacred Heart.

This weekend we celebrate the 19^th Sunday Ordinary Time, and I want you to pay special attention to the element of wind that “blows through” our readings. It’s there in the first reading with Elijah the Prophet on Mt. Horeb, and it plays a starring role in our Gospel from St. Matthew when Peter attempts to walk on water, only to falter and call out to Jesus to save him.

Like all the elements of earth, the wind can bring us comfort (a cooling breeze), but it also has the potential for destruction (we’re always on the lookout for hurricanes in these parts). But God is the master of it all, and when we find ourselves, like Peter, tossed this way and that by the winds of change (and who among us hasn’t been the past five months?), the Lord is there to extend his hand and save us, just as surely as he was on sea with Peter long ago. Let us pray for a faith to trust that he is there with us amidst the storms of life.

On to a few news and notes:

• First, we again invite you to please join us for Mass via our livestream on Sunday at 9 a.m. on both our Facebook and YouTube pages. You can find the link to the livestream at www.ctrcc.com/live-stream, and in addition, you’ll find there both a worship aid and a link to the Scripture readings to follow along with Mass. And you can make your weekly offertory contribution online at www.ctrcc.com/donate. If you’d like to join us in person for Mass, we welcome you on Saturday at 5 p.m., or Sunday at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

By the way, our schedule is now open for August to help serve as an usher and “disinfecting crew” member at either our daily or Sunday masses. Only takes a few extra minutes and it’s a great way to put your faith into action through good stewardship by serving the community. See www.ctrcc.com/liturgy to sign-up help!

• We’ve had a great response so far to our 2020 CtR Census. Thank you! In just the first week more than 1,300 of you have completed it, enabling us to update the parish data management system and to be able to offer your kind of communication from us that best suits the needs of your family.

If you have not yet completed it yourself, please take a moment (and that’s really all it takes, less than five minutes) and do so today at www.ctrcc.com/census. You may also have the postcard or email that we sent to you, and if so, there are direct links on each of them that will take you to the form to complete on your phone or computer. Or remember we also offer the “old school” style of completing by calling the parish office (281-469-5533) and will walk you through it over the phone.

• Likewise I’m grateful for those who have responded to our annual Operation Backpack School Supply Drive. We’ll continue to collect items for the next few weeks, so feel free to drop them off in the narthex of the Church if you are coming to Mass, or at the parish office anytime during the week. A great number of you have opted to use our Amazon Wish List and have the school supplies sent directly to the office. Thank you for that, but we’re going to have to bake the Amazon delivery driver some chocolate chip cookies or something for all the extra boxes he’s hauling in! Remember all supplies will be distributed locally here in Cypress and also with our friends at Our Mother of Mercy Church, our “twin parish” in the inner city of Houston. 

• Speaking of school, our Christ the Redeemer Catholic School is busily preparing for the 2020-21 academic year. We will begin school on Tuesday, Sept. 8, the day after Labor Day, and we are offering parents the choice of either in-class instruction or virtual learning, what we are calling our Virtual Crusader Classroom, for their children. Our complete plan with all the details of what we’ll be doing can be found at www.ctrschool.com/reopening. 

We still have openings in all grades (Pre-K 3 through 8^th), and now would be an excellent time to consider a Catholic education for your children. Our staff is prepared to give you a tour, either in-person or virtually, and I invite you to come see what a great educational and spiritual experience we offer at CtR Catholic School. With so many unknowns this year in the education system, a small, focused parochial education is becoming a popular choice for many families. From top-tier academics to extra-curricular programs to the presence of Christ experienced in every classroom, a Catholic education is unmatched in its value and gift for students and families alike. We’ve got room for you. Visit www.ctrschool.com for more information to see what sets us apart and how it is that we are #CrusaderStrong!

In addition, our Genesis Early Childhood Program is currently also enrolling children (ages 18 months through 4 years) for this coming school year that will also begin after Labor Day. We have options for either 2- or 3-days-a-week, or even all five days if that is what best serves your needs. See www.ctrcc.com/genesis for additional information and to schedule a tour. 

• Let me give you an early “heads-up” to next Saturday, Aug. 15 (so not tomorrow, but a week from tomorrow) as that will be the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Though not a holy day this year because it falls on a Saturday, and also because the obligation to attend Mass is still suspended due to the pandemic, we will still offer a Mass at 9 a.m. for those who might like to attend or watch on our livestream. I’ll remind you next week, but I know a few of you have been asking about it. Make plans to join us either here at Mass or virtually on our usual channels as we honor the Assumption of Mary.

St. Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, i.e, the Order of Preachers (O.P.), in the 13^th century, whose feast day is tomorrow, pray for us!

Peace, Fr. Sean