Dear Friends in Christ:
Every so often, I find it necessary to write a “catch all” letter to help address several disparate issues impacting the parish; this is one of those letters.
The Caritas Center. Work is moving along at a very good pace. You should see some major exterior work in the coming weeks. We continue to anticipate the completion in Spring 2025 with Joseph’s Coat re-opening by the summer. Major Projects. This summer we are planning to replace the carpet in the church and chapel. This will entail removing the pews, section by section, during the week and reinstalling them for the weekend Masses. As you might imagine, this is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. The good news is that our church is so well used that the carpet gets a lot of traffic. End of Year Giving. Our parish relies on the love and support of all our parishioners. Your financial support is vital to continuing our mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus, serving our parishioners, and assisting those in need.
Youth Formation. SJV has one of the largest religious education programs in the archdiocese. With nearly 1,400 children and youth, this ministry requires many dedicated parishioners to help catechize and share the faith. Come and be a part of this rewarding and vital ministry. Come and be a part of forming the next generation of Catholics! If your child is not currently enrolled in our Youth Formation program, it is not too late. They are always welcome. Adult Formation. SJV is greatly blessed with one of the largest and best Adult Formation programs anywhere! We have wonderful learning and faith-sharing opportunities. To meet a growing demand for adult bible studies and adult formation programs, we need more people willing to serve as facilitators. One does not need a Ph.D. in Theology, just a humble spirit and a willing and generous heart. Liturgical Ministries. We are blessed with over 600 liturgical minsters in our parish. Yet, we still need more. Our parish is a BIG parish, and it takes many people to serve our 14 scheduled Masses every week. Sacristans, ushers, choir, altar servers, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, greeters, lectors, and others serve the weekday and Sunday liturgies.
Evangelization. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, seeks out lost sheep. Do you know someone who has been away from the Church or who has no church home or does not know Jesus? Pray for them and invite them to come to Mass with you. You are God’s hands. Let him use you to reach out to others. Drive Friendly-The Texas Way. Houston traffic is a challenge. Remember to always drive with courtesy and safety on the freeways, in our neighborhood, and, yes, in the church parking lot too! Please remember to thank and pray for our officers who serve us here at SJV. Dinners for 8. What could be simpler than eight people coming together four times for a meal? Be a part of a Dinners for 8 group. It is a great way to make new friends and strengthen the bonds of our parish community through food and fellowship. For more information, contact our Parish Life office. Eucharistic Adoration. SJV is blessed to have Eucharistic Adoration 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Would you consider offering one hour per week praying before the Blessed Sacrament? To sign up for a time slot, contact the parish office. The late night and early morning hours are always in need of additional adorers. Sunday Mass and Confessions. Make it a point to never miss Sunday Mass. God wants us to have His grace every week. God First! The same with God’s mercy and forgiveness, The Lord wants us to experience His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance. Come, give your sins to the Lord and experience His peace and forgiveness.