Dear Friends in Christ:
This is one of those “catch-all” letters. Every so often, there are a lot of little things that just accumulate that I need to try to bring to everyone’s attention. Here goes!
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. Cardinal DiNardo has granted permission for Holy Communion to again be given under both species in our archdiocese. Our difficulty is the lack of ministers. We simply need more extraordinary ministers at all our masses. We have the bare minimum at a couple of the masses and so we will soon re-introduce the reception of the Precious Blood at those masses. To serve as an extraordinary minister please contact the Parish Office.
Our Catholic Faith teaches us that Jesus is truly and fully present under either species. Whether we receive Holy Communion under one species or both, we receive the fullness of the Lord’s real presence. In other words, we do not receive “more” of Jesus when we receive under both species or “less” of the real presence when we receive only one species. The Sacred Scriptures teach us that we should always approach Holy Communion with reverence and should not approach Holy Communion if we are aware of having committed a mortal sin (1 Cor 11:17-34). When we are aware of serious sin, we should first go to confession and then approach communion.
Diocesan Services Fund (DSF). Our parish has a mandatory goal of $480,000! Happily, we have passed the halfway mark. DSF supports 64 ministries in our archdiocese which no single parish can do on its own. DSF provides for ministry at the ports of Galveston and Houston, the hospitals at the Texas Medical Center, prisons and jails, universities and colleges, and much more. We need a thousand additional donors from St. John Vianney to support these important ministries. Will you be one of them? To give please check our website or the QR code in this bulletin. Thank you for your generosity.
A crazy idea. How well do you know the people you sit next to at Mass each week? Periodically, I invite everyone to introduce themselves and greet each other. How about this? Invite your “church neighbor” (the folks who sit next to you at Mass) out to lunch or dinner. It is an easy way to get to know each other better. Why not? Try it!
Young Childrens Program (YCP). Our parish has an excellent program for young children (ages 1-4). This is a two-day-a-week program helping children grow and develop socially, intellectually, and spiritually in a loving and caring environment. Spaces are filling up fast. For more information contact Ann Turner at aturner@stjohnvianney.org
Religious Education/Youth Formation. Every child deserves and needs to know God and have a strong relationship with the Lord. Life is tough and the world has more and more challenges. Every young person needs a solid foundation in the faith. Every school-age child (grades 1-12) is invited to be part of our faith formation programs. Online Registration is taking place now.
Sunday Mass Attendance. Covid really did a number on Mass attendance for many people. The extraordinary time of the pandemic injured and harmed people’s relationship with God and the practice of their faith. Some reports estimate that a third of Christians in the US have dropped in their regular church attendance. For us as Catholics, failure to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day so weakens our relationship with God that it is a sin. Keeping the Sabbath holy is a commandment from God and a precept of the Church. Offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is for the glory due to God and for our own good so that we can obtain the graces that we need in this life and stay strong in our faith. Summer is approaching, so we must make sure to offer Mass every week without fail even during vacations and when we are travelling. God wants you to receive His graces.
Parking and Traffic. Well, this is a good news and bad news scenario. The good news is that we have approximately 1000 more people attending weekend masses than we did this time last year! That is a blessing. It is also a lot more cars vying for the closest parking space! We are currently short-staffed with our traffic officers. We are aware of the frustrations of trying to get in on time and trying to exit the parking lot. A special committee was formed last month to explore ways to help alleviate the problem. Stay tuned and thanks for your patience and charity.
O Come let us adore Him! Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day 7 days a week in the Adoration Chapel. Looking to enhance your spiritual life and deepen your faith? Consider making a weekly holy hour at Eucharistic Adoration.
Are you registered? Every parish family should be registered as a member of the parish. Registration helps the parish administration to communicate with our parishioners and is vital to parish planning and outreach. To register, click on our website or call the parish offices.
The month of Mary. May is here and what a beautiful month of the year. In addition to being the time of graduations, First Communions, and Mothers’ Day, May is a month dedicated to our Blessed Mother, Mary. During May, make sure to offer an extra prayer or two to Our Blessed Mother. She won’t let you down. If you do not already do so, pray your rosary. Better yet, pray the rosary together with your spouse and as a family. The family that prays together stays together!
In Pace Christi,
Fr. Troy