St. Patrick Catholic Church Newsletter — April 2022

April 2022

St. patrick CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Marriage Prep Ministry Building a Sacramental Life and Drawing Couples Closer to God

T

WEEKEND LITURGY: Saturday: 5 p.m. (English), 7 p.m. (Spanish) Sunday: 9 a.m. (English), 11 a.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m. (English) First Saturday: 9 a.m. (English), 7 p.m. (Spanish)

VER AL DORSO PARA ESPAÑOL

(936) 634-6833 www.stpatrickslufkin.com

here’s no season in life quite like planning for a wedding. Engagement brings a great mix of excitement, stress, and busy schedules. A wedding is an important and beautiful part of a marriage, but it’s only the beginning. Marriage itself is filled with seasons of joy and seasons of suffering. At St. Patrick, we want to build up all couples entering into the Sacrament of Marriage and give them the tools they need to build a strong and healthy marriage.

Daisy and Martin Aguilar serve as Marriage Prep Coordinators. They have been married for 11 years and have served the parish through this ministry for over a year.

“Marriage Prep provides the couple with support and the tools to build, form, and navigate a life of faith in a sacramental marriage,” Daisy says.

The process of preparing for marriage has several steps and takes place over nine to 12 months. After the initial meeting with the pastor, couples complete an assessment that will help walk them through many topics that are important to address before marriage. Then, through the Witness to Love program, the couple will choose a married couple to serve as their mentors. Couples meet with

Daisy and Martin Aguilar serve as Marriage Prep Coordinators. They have been married for 11 years and have served the parish through this ministry for over a year.

their mentors several times before the wedding and this relationship can help support the couple in their new marriage. Mentor couples receive training to help them fill this role. Married couples in the parish can help with the Marriage Prep Ministry by serving as mentor couples. continued on page 6

St. patrick

CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Welcoming Souls Home to the Catholic Church

E

very year, courageous souls enter the doors of Holy Mother the Church, surrendering their hearts to all She teaches.

They have seen Her light illuminating the darkness and experienced the love of Christ in a profound, life-changing way. Each of them has traveled a unique and precious journey on their path “home to Rome” with the help of the RCIA process.

“A few years ago, a family of four went through the RCIA and received the Sacraments of Initiation,” says Brenda Dunn, RCIA Leader/Catechist, who serves along with Co-Leader/ Catechist Angela Quillin. “They have remained with us in our faith community. It has been amazing to see that despite so many people who are leaving the Church, so many are still knocking at our door.”

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) — or Christian Initiation, as it is referred to at our parish — is a process of initiating people into the Catholic Church and its traditions. Our parish invites the following groups of people to join the RCIA: adults and children over the age of 7 who have not been baptized; those from other Christian traditions; and those who are interested in learning more about the Catholic Church, along with their family members who need to complete their Christian Initiation through the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Holy Eucharist.

“This process is a journey of faith where, in addition to learning about our Catholic teachings and tradition, participants have an opportunity to meet Jesus in an atmosphere of love, joy, and fellowship,” Brenda says.

The RCIA process at our parish includes the following periods or stages: Precatechumenate, Catechumenate, Purification and Enlightenment, and Mystagogy (Postbaptismal Catechesis).

It also includes the prescribed Rites of Acceptance and Election. Our Sunday sessions begin with refreshments, music, and prayer, which are followed by a teaching on a number of topics, including creation, prayer, the Trinity, the sacraments, Scripture and tradition, Mary and the saints, Catholic social teaching, and three “Mornings of Prayer” in preparation for Advent, Lent, and the Easter Vigil. The sessions may also include time for small-group faith sharing, then close with prayer and a song.

“The focus of the RCIA is to help its participants foster a deeper relationship with Christ, as well as learn about the teachings of the Church,” Brenda says. “The process is much more than religious education — it is forming individuals in the Catholic faith and supporting them by the prayers and embrace of our faith community.”

The RCIA sessions are presented by diocesan-certified catechists, along with our parish deacons and priests. There are currently 21 members on the English RCIA team and six on the Spanish RICA. Karen Patten and Carolyn Smith serve as Co-Leaders/ Catechists of the children’s group; Doug Vadurro serves the teen’s group; Deacon Abelino Cordero and his wife, Lupita, are the Leaders/Catechists of the Spanish-speaking RICA group; the RCIA Hospitality Ministry is led by Joy Danna and Candace Powell, who handle the kitchen set-ups and service, and provide continued on page 6

2

A Letter From Our Pastor

Dear Parishioners,

W

All Things and All People Are Made New

e associate the Easter season with springtime — a time of new life and new beginnings — and Holy Scripture addresses this idea of newness many times. The Lord declares, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

This idea of being “new” is important to us as Catholics, and it is important to our parish. We need to strive to do this on a regular basis — even on a daily basis.

Think of the fact that all was once new. Regardless of how you view the development of this earth and those of us who occupy it, all was once new.

During this Easter season, we need to retain that idea of being “new.” And being “new” means conversion, and we have often pointed out that conversion is at the heart of a life of stewardship.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (654).

In other words, Christ’s Resurrection is the source of our new life — our own future resurrection. St. Paul wrote about it to the Romans (Rom 6:5) — “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

Hope for a new life beginning now and extending on into heaven is the result of Jesus’ Resurrection.

What greater grounds for thanksgiving can there be than this Easter hope? We should sing with joy about God’s promise to us, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

St. Paul also wrote (Col 3:12), “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” Jesus’ Resurrection and His promise of a new life for us mean that we need to live in conformity with our status as adopted children of God. How do we show our joy and our gratitude to God for this amazing gift He has given us? We join in worship and praise God by word and song. We share the Good News of Jesus’ victory over death with our family, friends, and neighbors. And we offer back to the Lord a portion of the time, talent, and treasure He has entrusted to us.

Yes, the Easter message that we share in the benefits of Christ’s Resurrection indeed makes all things new — the ultimate foundation for all Christian stewardship.

The Lord is risen, alleluia.

In Christ, Fr. Denzil Vithanage, Pastor

3

St. patrick

CATHOLIC CHURCH

THE SEVENTH PILLAR OF PARISH LIFE

F

Las Posadas commemorates the journey Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

4

or a clear and concise definition of evangelization, we only need to look to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, which defines evangelization as “bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself.”

Evangelization is the final pillar of Fr. Denzil’s Seven Pillars of Parish Life. Fr. Denzil believes any way we reach outside the walls of St. Patrick’s is considered evangelization, and we want to be doing all we can to spread the Catholic faith.

Deacon Juan Mijares and Deacon Ray Vann agree that evangelization doesn’t have to be complicated. One simple idea is to pray before meals at a restaurant and out in public.

“The Sign of the Cross is such an important and beautiful tool,” Deacon Ray says. “Don’t be afraid to show you are Catholic.”

Deacon Ray also reminds us of St. Francis of Assisi’s direction to “preach the Gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.” We need to show others our faith through our lives, whether we’re at home, school, or work.

Deacon Ray wears a large cross necklace to show his faith to all those he meets, and it has led him to many faith conversations through the years. He also performs police chaplaincy work. Although he’s serving all police, Catholic and non-Catholic, it’s another valuable way to share the faith.

Having made a Cursillo weekend in 1992, Deacon Juan is very involved in the Cursillistas. The group, which is for anyone who has experienced a Cursillo weekend, meets two Sundays per month after the Saturday 7 p.m. Mass. While the retreats have been paused during the pandemic, Deacon Juan encourages folks to consider attending a weekend retreat once they resume.

“This retreat could change your life,” Deacon Juan says.

Deacon Juan, too, works to bring Christ to all those he encounters at his day job. He believes this is the best way to evangelize.

Evangelization Spreading Our Faith Far and Wide “A lot of what people see is how we live our life,” he says. “We bring Christ out by the way we live our life.”

Both Deacon Juan and Deacon Ray have spent their entire diaconate at St. Patrick’s — Deacon Juan has been a deacon for 23 years and Deacon Ray for 15 years. They are thankful for the traditions that Fr. Denzil has brought back, from the Las Posadas procession to incense at Mass.

“Las Posadas is a way to bring Christ to the streets and evangelize those who see us,” Deacon Juan says.

“Some of those traditional Mass practices are a great way to evangelize lifelong Catholics,” Deacon Ray says. “We all need some level of evangelization in our lives. There’s no better way to do this than the Mass.”

Fr. Juan says Las Posadas is a great way to evangelize as folks on the street seem the procession.

Deacon Juan Mijares and Deacon Ray Vann encourage parishioners to evangelize by ensuring they attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day. The La Voz Catolica radio program is another evangelization tool.

The show airs on Sunday from 8:30 to 9 a.m. on Super Mix 101.9 FM.

5

St. patrick

CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults continued from page 2

refreshments. The Music Ministry, led by Cheryl Flood, and Mike and Joan Ferrigno, provides a Spirit-filled environment that helps set the tone for the opening prayer and teaching.

“Our own faith is built up as we witness the candidates’ newfound relationship with Jesus,” Brenda says. “We each feel blessed to share our faith with them and share their joy as we welcome them into our Catholic family. We hope each one we send forth will continue to nurture their relationship with God and with one another.”

The Christian Initiation sessions, both in English and Spanish, are ongoing from the end of September through Pentecost Sunday of each year. However, those who are interested in the process may also contact team members during the summer months.

Both English and Spanish sessions are held on Sundays in the Faith Formation Hall, with the English sessions from 10:15 a.m. to noon, and the Spanish from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Those who may be interested in joining this beautiful process may call the Parish Office at 936-634-6833.

The Marriage Prep Ministry About six months before the wedding, couples will attend Three to Get Married, a weekend retreat offered by the St. Philip Institute. This retreat will cover practical aspects of marriage, as well as offer formation in prayer and the sacramental life as a couple. As the name suggests, the retreat helps participants build their relationship with God as the focus.

“Putting God at the center of your life and at the center of your marriage is key to establishing and maintaining a strong marriage,” Daisy says.

Before the wedding, couples will also take a class on Natural Family Planning, or NFP, which gives couples the

continued from front cover

tools they will need to have a marriage that is open to life and receptive to the will of God. Preparing for marriage is a busy season but Daisy likes to remind the couples she works with what the real purpose of marriage is.

“A husband and wife provide each other support to get to heaven,” Daisy says.

Daisy and Martin, along with other couples who serve as Marriage Prep Coordinators, are there to walk engaged couples through this hectic time, always reminding them to keep their eyes on what is most important.

“Always put God first,” Daisy says. “Pray together as a family.”

If you are engaged and need to begin the Marriage Prep process, or if you are married and would like to get involved with this important ministry, please contact the parish office at 936-634-6833.

6