Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ

God calls us all to discipleship. As Jesus sent out the disciples in pairs in the Gospel reading this week, he sends us out into our communities. We are called to witness in our homes, workplaces, schools and communities and spread the love of God.

Even as we are called to spread the good news of God; Not everyone is open to receiving that word. This does not mean that we stop preaching it, but it does require of us to be even more diligent in how we present the good news. We are free to move on when we feel that people just simply don’t want to listen.

Preparation and registration has begun for the Archdiocesan Youth Conference (AYC) which gathers participants from all over the local Church. AYC is the largest evangelizing event for older adolescents that the Archdiocese hosts annually. The youth conference will be held at the Hilton Americas Hotel on July 26-28, 2024. To Register for AYC go to  AYC 2024 (swoogo.com). If you are interested in donating towards the AYC scholarship fund to help a youth of our parish attend who are unable to afford the full price, it would be GREATLY appreciated.

Next, mark your calendar for August 18, 2024 for the celebration of the 59thanniversary of our parish. Planning has already begun for the celebration of our parish with, food, fun and prizes. We will have further details as the weeks go by on how we can make the celebrations of our parish a wonderful event for the church and community.

The Café Catholica summer series is open to all young adults (ages 18-39) and features dynamic speakers, prayer, and socializing. Café Catholica 2024 will be held in person at St. Vincent de Paul (6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston) on four Mondays in July starting on July 8th. Each night will include Confession at 5:15 pm, Mass at 6:15 pm, Dinner at 7:15 pm, and Talk at 8:15 pm. This year’s theme is: Home with Him. Come for all or part of the evening! No registration is needed to attend. Donations are accepted.

Next, The National Eucharistic Congress is a historic event that will celebrate the gift of Christ’s love in the Eucharist. The Congress will take this week in Indianapolis, Indiana. The National Eucharistic Congress is the first congress of its kind in America since 1976. The United States has not held a Eucharistic Congress at the national level since before WWII.

The National Eucharistic Congress is expected to draw at least 80,000 Catholics of all ages from across the country.

A Eucharistic Congress is an especially powerful manifestation of the unity of the Church, where a large number of Catholics gather to worship the Lord in the Eucharist through the communal celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. These gatherings reaffirm and re-emphasize the source and summit of our faith, putting Jesus at the center.

I have been invited along with members throughout the Archdiocese to attend the National Eucharistic Congress conference. I ask for your prayers as we move to celebrate Our Lord in the Eucharist.

Finally, Please continue to pray for all of the communities affected by Hurricane  Beryl. As we move towards recovery, let us support the mission and ministry of our St. Vincent De Paul society by bringing in grocery store gift cards of the amounts of $25.00 to be distributed to all those in need.  We are called to do our part in response to the call for help. (Drop the gift cards in the collection basket and they will be given to St. Vincent De Paul members to distribute).


God Bless,

Fr. Reginald Samuels