The past few months have certainly

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1 In this Issue May The Bible The Textbook of Stewardship Kingdom Rock: Vacation Bible School at Christ the Redeemer Nourishing the Pre-K Members of Our Parish Family: Body, Mind and Spirit Don t Walk the Path of Motherhood Alone: St. Anne s Society Patron Saint of Holy Fun: The Faith Journey of St. Philip Neri Huffmeister Road Houston, TX A Letter From Our Pastor We are One Body in Christ Dear Parishioners, The past few months have certainly been exciting for us as Catholics. It began with Pope Benedict XVI s resignation; then the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Francis; and of course our traditional rich celebration of Lent and Easter and the Easter season that follows. Easter season continues this month until Sunday, May 19, Pentecost Sunday. The Senior Cardinal Deacon stepped on to the balcony of St. Peter s above the thousands and thousands gathered below and proclaimed Habemus Papam ( We have a Pope. ). The people below began to chant Viva il Papa ( Long live the Pope. ) and His Holiness Pope Francis blessed them. We all gained a greater understanding of what it means to be the steward of the Church the Pope through the example of Benedict XVI, and our new shepherd, a new steward Pope Francis. As we think about the role he plays in our Church and in our faith lives, it is well for us to keep in mind that we you and I are the stewards of our Christ the Redeemer Parish. What does that mean, to be the stewards of the Church? In the Bishops Pastoral Letter on stewardship, Stewardship: A Disciple s Response, the U.S. Bishops included an entire chapter on this subject titled appropriately Stewards of the Church. In that chapter the Bishops state Because the individual members (of continued on back cover

2 The Bible The Textbook of Stewardship Have you ever wished that life came with an instruction manual? What a valuable resource that would be! Whenever you find yourself running in circles, this instruction manual would give you step-by-step instructions on how to fix the problem and reroute your course. Well, here s some good news. For those living a Christian life, there is such a manual the Bible. Sometimes referred to as the textbook of stewardship, the Bible is a bountiful resource for the present-day Christian. Written by anointed prophets and sages, this collection of divinely-inspired parables, poems and letters is full of testimonials that express the blessings that come from true discipleship, expressed through lives of stewardship. Stewardship is not a new concept. The Bible gives proof to this claim through passages such as the 26 th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We read Moses words, as he tells the Israelites to offer the choicest portions of their harvest to God: When you have come into the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you as a heritage, and have occupied it and settled in it, you shall take some first fruits of the various products of the soil which you harvest from the land which the Lord, your God, gives you, and putting them in a basket, you shall go to the place which the Lord, your God, will choose for the dwelling place of his name Therefore, I have now brought you the first fruits of the products of the soil which you, O LORD, have given me. And having set them before the LORD, your God, you shall bow down in his presence (Dt 26: 1-2, 10). St. Paul briefly touches on the essence of stewardship when he said, In every way I have shown you that by hard work of that sort we must help the weak, and keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Again, in St. Paul s second letter to the Corinthians, we read about living a life of Christian stewardship: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7). While this is well and good, what does it mean for the present day Christian? Why should it matter that the Bible alludes to stewardship in various passages? It shows us that Christians and Jews have struggled with and benefitted from the concept of stewardship for thousands of years. It ties the message of stewardship to the role of a Christian disciple. It gives proof that stewardship and discipleship go hand-in-hand. It offers encouragement to us, that stewardship is in fact a foundational component of the Christian life, a way of life that one of the founding fathers of the Church St. Paul preached about and advocated. The Bible is indeed the textbook of stewardship. It lays out the steps we must take to become true disciples of Christ. Reading and meditating upon God s Word is always a fruitful exercise. Those who regularly delve into Scripture often develop a deeper understanding of who God is, how and why He loves us, and how we can show Him our love in return all most certainly important topics of discussion for any steward-in-themaking. As you strive to become a grateful steward and live the life of Christian discipleship, develop a love for Sacred Scripture. Allow God s Word to nourish your soul regularly, and watch as stewardship changes from a foreign concept to an integral component of your daily life. 2

3 Kingdom Rock: Vacation Bible School at Christ the Redeemer Are you ready for something fun and exciting to beat those summertime blues? Taking place this year from June 24 to 28, Vacation Bible School is a summertime staple at Christ the Redeemer, with nearly 650 children participating and over 300 adult and teen volunteers assisting with the program. Each year, Vacation Bible School follows a different theme designed to teach kids a new lesson about God. This year s theme is Kingdom Rock: Where Kids Stand Strong for God. Children age 3 through those in the fourth grade can participate in Vacation Bible School. A special preschool component of the program serves the youngest children, with activities and events that are age appropriate. Rising first through fourthgraders spend their days visiting a series of stations, which allow students to participate in fun arts and crafts, learn about Scripture, eat tasty snacks, watch an entertaining educational video, and more. Our VBS theme this year is an experience unlike anything your kids have ever done before, says Jill Dimiceli, coordinator of Religious Education and facilitator of Vacation Bible School for the past 13 years. Kingdom Rock is an exciting, fun-filled Scripturebased program grounded in our Catholic faith. Your kids will love A few of our youngest parishioners enjoy a day learning about our faith at the 2012 Vacation Bible School. it! As they re surrounded by God s Word, the reality of God s love gains new meaning and relevance to their everyday lives. Jill welcomes Linda Watso as this year s Vacation Bible School coordinator. Linda has volunteered for the past four years with the program, and this year she is spearheading the preparation work and daily operations of the program. One of Jill s most favorite components of Vacation Bible School is the Watch for God bracelet that each child receives at the start of the program. It reminds kids to keep their eyes open for things that God is doing all around them, Jill says. It is my prayer that Kingdom Rock will allow God s love to come into the life of all who volunteer and participate touching lives, changing hearts, and drawing kids and adults closer to Christ. The cost to attend Vacation Bible School is just $20 per child, and includes a T-shirt, a Watch for God bracelet, and five Bible Memory Buddies for each attendee. The program offers parishioners the option of attending one of two sessions each day a morning session from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and an evening session from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration for VBS began on May 1. Please stop by the parish office during regular hours to register your child. In addition, there are many opportunities for parishioners to participate in the program as volunteers. For more on how you can help, please contact Linda Watso at ldwatso@entouch.net. 3

4 Nourishing the Pre-K Members of Our Parish Family: Body, Mind and Spirit In 1996, CtR Prep School was established with the mission to provide a loving Catholic Christian environment where young children learn through participation in developmental and age appropriate experiences. With the creation of the new Parish Life Center, or PLC, the already thriving Prep School will have new facilities and class expansion. Our move to the PLC enhances our school in a variety of ways, says Mary Davis, director of the CtR Prep School since Physically, we will be on a ground floor level with an attached playground. There are bathrooms between every two rooms, a sink and water fountain in each classroom. These amenities will help our teachers operate more efficiently and our children feel more successful. In addition to the physical improvements, a Mother s Day Out program will be added for the first time. Mother s Day Out serves children not yet eligible for preschool, in a loving atmosphere in which children begin their school experience in a faith-based environment, Mary says. It is traditionally one day a week. Next year there is a choice of Tuesday or Wednesday for the MDO. While there are no set learning objectives, unlike the preschool, there are planned activities, outdoor play and nap time. The move to the PLC will allow us to expand our existing Prep School and offer a choice of a Tuesday and Thursday program or a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday program. MDO serves children ages 18 to 23 months, and the Prep School serves children from 24 months through 4 years of age as of Sept. 1 of the school year. Although the ages of children vary, the strong centerbased Catholic curriculum runs throughout the entire Prep School. Teachers plan together and follow a center-based curriculum including art, literacy, math, dramatic play, blocks, fine motor, and sensory science related to the particular theme each day, Mary says. The success of this curriculum is evident in the praises of parents of current and past students, such as Laura and Mike Novak. The couple s daughter attended CtR Prep School, their older son is currently enrolled, and their younger son will attend next year. We are so completely happy with Christ the Redeemer Prep School, the Novaks say. We have a kindergartner who shines in her class and has such fond memories of the Prep School. We have seen our son come out of his shell after attending this school, and he truly loves going to school. The staff is so welcoming, warm and caring for our children. They truly make the children feel safe, loved, and they make learning such a fun experience from focusing on activities, to develop fine motor skills, to making learning more about the Bible so much fun and interesting. Sarah Haeberle heard about CtR Prep School from family, and she has sent both of her sons to the school. Faith absolutely played a part in our decision to send our children to school at CtR Prep, Sarah says. We are active members of Christ the Redeemer parish and wanted to have our children feel at home and comfortable with their church home. If you are thinking about a faith-based preschool education for your child, definitely talk with the school staff at CtR Prep School Students build math and cooperation skills together. continued on page 6 4

5 Don t Walk the Path of Motherhood Alone: St. Anne s Society Parishioner Misty Schleicher has some advice for all mothers at the parish. Your church is what you make it, Misty says. Get involved and come to St. Anne s Society and don t walk the path of motherhood alone. Let us walk with you and fall in love with your faith. You and your family will benefit from it. As president of the St. Anne s Society, Misty knows firsthand the importance of being surrounded by other mothers who understand the need for support and acceptance when one is new to the path of motherhood. Indeed, this ministry provides mothers of all ages with opportunities for spiritual, social and educational enrichment. St. Anne s Society offers support for new mothers by bringing meals during those challenging first few weeks, and members rally around those who have suffered illness or whose child has needed surgery. The ministry also sponsors three major parish events All Saints Day, the RE Dinner and a children s booth at the Parish Festival. We make sure to take care of each other, Misty says. It is also a safe environment where those who are just starting to get back into this beautiful faith can ask questions or just sit and listen and learn no judging ever. I have learned so much about our faith in my four years being involved all the while having fun! Monthly meetings are held every third Thursday at 7 p.m. beginning in August and ending in May. The meeting format is casual and fun, with refreshments available for attendees. Once business matters are discussed, the ministry members share a topic for the evening. This May, a Sister will be speaking about how she found her way to religious life and how mothers can help lead the way. Earlier this year, Fr. Orrin gave a very informative and energizing talk about the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition to regular meetings, the ministry also holds Play Dates, Mom s Night Out, and Date Night, as well as social outreach projects for both the local and parish community. We have a yearly Diaper Drive and Shoe Drive, Misty says. In the past at Christmas, we have adopted a family and packed care packages for our soldiers away from home. This year, we visited an assisted living home and sang Christmas carols and wrapped some essential items the residents needed. As a group, we also try to collect things necessary for women in our community to succeed like nice clothing, shoes, makeup and other things so they may be successful when attending an interview for a job position. There are 100 members in St. Anne s Society, and Misty encourages all parish mothers to consider joining. We would also like to make sure all mothers understand that this ministry is for all mothers we want diversity Misty says. If we have a good mix of mothers, some with older children, some with younger children and some with grandchildren, then we can share our life events with each other and have that support that we all need. continued on page 6 5

6 Nourishing the Pre-K Members of Our Parish Family continued from page 4 Learning self-help skills is a part of the curriculum that nurtures growth, as well as physical and spiritual development. and take a tour of the fabulous new education building. In addition to the curriculum, many parents choose to send their children to CtR Prep School due to the exceptional teaching staff. Each age level has at least one teacher with a degree in education or Child Development Associate certification. All teachers are VIRTUS trained and CPR/First Aid certified. Gwen and Shawn Cureton have three children a daughter who attended the Prep School for three years and two children currently attending. We think CtR Prep School is fantastic, Gwen says. We chose the school because I have attended this parish since it began, we heard great things about the teachers, we knew Mary Davis, and we liked that the girls would be learning in a Christian-based atmosphere. I would definitely, without doubt, recommend CtR Prep School because of the incredible teachers, the fantastic curriculum, and for the Catholic atmosphere which reinforces the values we teach them at home. They do so many fun projects in class, and have other fun days like the Petting Zoo, Donuts with Dad, Mother s Day Tea, and one of my personal favorites, the pictures as Mary or Joseph at Christmas, says Carrin Booth, mother to two former students and one current student. I felt very comfortable leaving my precious little miracles from God with the teachers and staff at the Prep School. I love that sometimes it s my 4-year-old, Cora, that reminds us to pray before meals! The new building is not the school s only recent addition. Melanie Gehrt, a parishioner of 15 years and a teacher of 4-year-olds since April 2004, is finishing up her first year as CtR Prep School s assistant director. Melanie and Mary share a long time commitment to the school and both have their Child Development Associate certification and Director s Credential from the state of Texas. Please contact Mary Davis at mdavis@ctrcc.com or to set up a tour or to register your child at CtR Prep School. St. Anne s Society continued from page 5 Most importantly, Misty points out that being a part of this ministry brings mothers closer to Christ and the parish family. The topics we speak about and our social outreach help you start to feel like you have a church family, Misty says. You meet other women who might have a better or worse knowledge than you about our Catholic faith, and you will share and help one another grow closer to God through our faith. If you would like further information about joining the St. Anne s Society, please contact Misty Schleicher at missyb232000@yahoo.com, or simply attend the next meeting. 6

7 Patron Saint of Holy Fun The Faith Journey of St. Philip Neri Can a saint have fun on the way to attaining holiness? Many would say that St. Philip Neri definitely fits that bill. Born in 1515 in Florence, Italy, St. Philip Neri showed his fun side from the time he was a boy. One such incident almost cost him his life. Seeing a donkey loaded with fruit for market, the impulsive and spontaneous little boy jumped on the donkey s back. Surprised, the donkey lost his footing, and along with the fruit and young Philip, tumbled into a cellar. Miraculously, Philip was unhurt. Philip s father struggled financially, so 18-year-old Philip was sent to work with an older cousin who was a successful businessman. During this time, Philip found a favorite place to pray in a spot upon a mountain that had been turned into a chapel. During these hours of prayer, Philip is said to have decided to leave worldly success behind and dedicate his life to God. Eventually, Philip went to Rome. In 1548, Philip formed a confraternity with other laymen to minister to pilgrims who came to Rome without food or shelter. The spiritual director of the confraternity convinced Philip he could do even more work as a priest. After receiving instruction from this priest, Philip was ordained in As a young priest, Philip learned to love to hear confessions. Young men especially found in him the wisdom and direction they needed to grow spiritually. But Philip began to realize these young men needed something more than absolution they needed guidance. So, Philip began to ask the young men to come by in the early afternoon when they would discuss spiritual readings, and then stay for prayer in the evening. Philip understood it wasn t enough to tell young people not to do something you had to give them something to do in its place. So, at Carnival time, when the worst excesses were encouraged, Philip organized a pilgrimage to the Seven Churches with a picnic, accompanied by instrumental music for the midday break. After walking 12 miles in one day, everyone was too tired to be tempted! Philip was known to be spontaneous and unpredictable, charming and humorous. He seemed to sense the different ways to bring people to God. One man came to the Oratory just to make fun of it. Philip wouldn t let the others throw him out or speak against him. He told them to be patient, and eventually the man became a Dominican. On the other hand, when he met a condemned man who refused to listen to any pleas for repentance, Philip didn t try gentle words. Instead, Philip grabbed the man by the collar and threw him to the ground. The move shocked the criminal into repentance and he made a full confession. Humility was the most important virtue he tried to teach others, as he continually worked to learn it himself. Some of his lessons in humility seem cruel, but they were tinged with humor like practical jokes and were related with gratitude by the people they helped. His lessons always seem to be tailored directly to what the person needed. Philip did not escape this spiritual mortification himself. As with others, his own humbling held humor. There are stories of him wearing ridiculous clothes or walking around with half his beard shaved off. The greater his reputation for holiness, the sillier he wanted to seem. But Philip was very serious about prayer. He was so easily carried away that he refused to preach in public and could not celebrate Mass with others around. But when asked how to pray, his answer was, Be humble and obedient and the Holy Spirit will teach you. Philip died in 1595 after a long illness at the age of 80. His feast day is on May 26, just in time to kick off the season of summertime fun. 7

8 11507 Huffmeister Road Houston, TX May 2013 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID PERMIT NO. 47 CYPRESS, TX Mass Schedule Saturday, 5:00 p.m. Sunday, 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. We are One Body in Christ continued from front cover the Church) do collectively make up the Body of Christ, that body s health and well-being are the responsibility of the members the personal responsibility of each one of us. Our Lord often tried to remind us through Holy Scripture that we share the responsibility for His Church. From the days immediately following His Resurrection He began preparing His Apostles, and each of us as well, to be stewards of His Church. It is no coincidence that on Pentecost Sunday, in the Second Reading from St. Paul s first letter to the Corinthians, we hear these words: There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit; there are different forms of service but the same Lord; there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them for everyone. To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit. I acknowledge that I heard the call from the Lord, and I responded. That is why I am privileged to be a priest. At the same time, I challenge you to listen for your call. Have you considered what it is? Have you responded? That, my friends, is what stewardship is all about. It is each of us seeking how we fit into the Lord s Church. It is each of us responding. It is each of us contributing in multiple ways to build the Kingdom of God, right now, today. As Paul continued in the reading for Pentecost Sunday, For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body and we are all given to drink of one Spirit. Let us all our Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, our Pope Francis, I, your humble pastor, and each of you vow to be what Jesus wants us to be Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works. (Matthew 5:16) Yours in Christ, Rev. Sean P. Horrigan