My dear parishioners, Our Lord told us to “go forth and bear fruit that will last”. These words—going forth and bearing fruit—are very familiar to us. But it’s the pronoun “us” that makes a difference here. Jesus told “us” to go forth. Not as individuals do we fulfill his command but as a people, his body, the Body of Christ.
 
It’s an honor to be one of the “us”, a Catholic of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Together with Cardinal Daniel Archbishop DiNardo, we set about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone in the Galveston-Houston area in Word and Deed—through the Office of Worship, Center for the Deaf, St. Mary Seminary, Diaconate Formation, Family Life Ministry, Hispanic Ministry and many others.
 
It is more important now than ever to show in the Galveston-Houston area what the large community of dedicated and loyal Catholics is really like. Surely we do this best by our participation in the Diocesan Services Fund which enables us to help thousands and thousands of our people through the evangelizing, healing, nurturing, and pastoral ministries of the Church.
 
Yes, we face difficult challenges in these times. Careful stewardship of financial resources is crucial when every penny counts. I know your struggles to pay bills and to save for the future, and I testify to your generous hearts. Believe me, St. Philip parish is a mirror of your own determination and hard work to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.  [2Tim 4:7]  We must be vigilant at all times.
 
Every person should engage convincingly with those who stand in genuine need within our Archdiocesan family. We walk the very same path of salvation! Along the way to the “heavenly city”, we offer our own personal gifts, our skills, and our compassion to awaken the living faith in those whose hope is like a bruised reed or a dimly burning wick. To help us, Our Lord gives us a share of his Spirit! And he will care gently and lovingly for all persons who are bowed down by the cares of this world “until he brings justice to victory”.  [cf. Mt 12:20]  
 
By supporting the 60+ ministries supported by the Diocesan Services Fund under the care of Archbishop DiNardo, we nurture and enrich our Archdiocese, and we carry out the design of God who gives us every grace and blessing, indeed everything we have. God knows who we are, asking us always, How well have you received my love? And he knows what we do, asking, How well have you shared my love?
 
 Peter said, “Lord, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?” And Jesus answered, saying, You will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. Cardinal DiNardo speaks about making this “everlasting gift” a reality in our time—
 

 


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Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
Auxiliary Bishops
Retired Auxilliary Vincent Rizzotto 
Archbishop Emeritus
Most Rev. Joseph A. Fiorenza 
Pastor
Reverend Richard Barker
 

Sunday Masses                            Daily Masses
Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm                Monday: 7:00 pm; Tuesday - Saturday: 8:30 am
Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00 am           

Reconciliation/Confession  
Saturday's: 3:30 - 4:30 or by appointment

Pre-K-4th Grades
Sunday Mornings 9:45 am - 10:45 am

5th-8th Grades and Children's Catechumenate
Wednesday Evenings 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

9th-12 Grades
Sunday Evenings 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

WE PRAY each day at Mass to be an “everlasting gift” to the Lord, seeking to bear lasting fruit among God’s people. I ask you to prayerfully consider a contribution to DSF as a seed that bears fruit. For supporting our Archdiocesan ministries, I sincerely offer you my gratitude.

 I ask you, dear parishioners, to pray about your commitment to DSF for this new campaign. Pray about how much you can afford. Fill out your personal pledge cards and make whatever contribution is possible for your household this year. Return your pledge cards by mail, or place them in the collection basket at Mass. You can go on-line at http://www.archgh.org/dsf/donate to make your contribution, too. Read the DSF story! It’s told in the mail-outs, on-line and in the “Texas Catholic Herald” newspaper.
 
Then, pray in gratitude for all that God has given to you, and pray for all those who will be blessed this coming year by your personal gift—those whom God alone knows at this moment, those in need whom you already love! The Body of Christ is “us”. Sincerely, In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,  Your Pastor, Reverend Richard Barker. 

Explore this website: www.usccb.org/romanmissal . It’s quite helpful.

 

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