22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 29, 2010
"Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" Luke 14:13
A Note from Fr. Phil:
My Dear Parishioners,
What a beautiful and challenging gospel for us to hear as we near the parish-wide launch of our capital campaign. Many stories that we hear about Jesus are centered on the sharing of food. When we gather each Sunday we are also centered around the need to be fed on God's word and on the gift that is Jesus in the Eucharist.
'in Jesus's Mediterranean world meals were a very powerful way of communication. Above all, meals affirmed and gave legitimacy to a person's role and status in a given community. For this reason, most meals in antiquity were attended by people of the same social rank. The fact that the ruler of the house invited Jesus to dine at his house indicates that the Pharisees accepted Jesus as a social equal.' The Social Words of Jesus. John J. Pilch.
Recently I read the mission statement of a parish in Minnesota and it spoke about the fabric of the community reflecting and being woven together according to the vision of God. It went on to say that often the community falls short of its vision of being a place where people are welcomed and healed. It says that the congregation will fail but that it presents itself time and time again to be healed and converted and to begin over again.
The challenge of Jesus to the religious leaders of his time was to be inclusive. Jesus exhorts us to invite, "the crippled, the lame and the blind." In doing this he says that they will be unable to repay us and in so doing we will be blessed. This attitude demands the quality of humility. The first reading says that when we do this we will find favor with God.
As our capital campaign continues I want to thank all who have donated and worked toward the end that will be a facility that will best serve the needs of our community and those that are on their way to joining. With humility, I hope that we can reach out to welcome - to the table of God's word and altar - all people.
With every good wish and gratitude,
Fr. Phil, Pastor
Capital Campaign Video
Saint Theresa Catholic Community
"In this Place All Are Welcome"
Campaign Update:
In This Place, All Are Welcome, comes from the beautiful song "All Are Welcome" written by Marty Haugen. This refrain captures the experience of those who have found St. Theresa a warm and welcoming community, and it captures our hope that we will continue to respond to God's invitation to welcome those who will come to us in the future.
We are still looking for volunteers who have time to share in September during the general phase of the campaign. It is a sure way to live out our Campaign Theme! Please call the church office at (713) 869-3783 or email the campaign office at bhotz@steiergroup.com if you can help. We'll follow up with you right away.
You can now view the Capital Campaign Video above.
The Saint Theresa Women's Club Bus Trip
August 25, 2010
to
St. Martin's Cathedral
RCIA Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
Our sessions have begun! If you or someone you know is interested in finding our more about the Catholic faith, please join us each Sunday at 8:30 in Room 205 of the Community Center..
For more information, please call Ginger Tamborello at (713) 869-3783
Religious Education Class (CCE) begin Sept. 12th.
These classes are for children ages 4 through High School who attend public school.
Registration must be completed before the first day of CCE. If you have not yet registered your child, please come by the church office to register before Sept. 12th.
We are in need of teachers for our classes. Please prayerfully consider responding to this call.
Are you looking for a way to serve God more fully? Do you enjoy singing?
If so, we would like to invite you to join the choir and sing with us! You do not need to be able to read music, and no audition is required. Ages 14 and up are welcome. Beginning this Wednesday, the 25th, we will rehearse each Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 and we will sing at the 10:00 am mass each Sunday beginning September 12th.
For more information, please contacct Kathy Villalobos in the church office or via e-mail at k.villalobos@sttheresa.cc
GOLF TOURNAMENT NEWS
Save the date and make plans to join us on Tuesday,
October 19, 2010 for the Annual
Dick Kruger "Friends of Saint Theresa" Golf Tournament
to be held at Memorial Park Golf Course.
Rosary for Peace and Respect for Life
A rosary for peace began on Friday, October 26, 2007 at 6:45 a.m. prior to the 7:00a.m. Mass at Saint Theresa Church. It is said every Friday and led by members of the Saint Theresa Knights of Columbus Council 12866. All are invited to join.
