1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity
3. catholicism

CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Dear friends in Christ,
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.
We remember Jesus’ ascension to the right hand of the Father
where He sits in glory until He comes again, a belief we profess every Sunday in our Creed. This feast is celebrated 40
days after the Easter resurrection which by tradition would
have put it on the calendar for last Thursday. Some of you
may remember “Ascension Thursday” holy days from your
youth. It is still celebrated on that Thursday in some of the dioceses in the northeast, but several years ago nearly every other diocese, including the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston,
chose to move the celebration to Sunday to highlight its prominence and give more people an opportunity to celebrate. So
you did not miss a Holy Day of Obligation! It just moved a few
days down the calendar so that we celebrate it in all its glory.
Next week we close out the great 50 days of Easter with the
celebration of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit as
Jesus has promised. You are invited to wear red to Mass next
Sunday as we did on Palm Sunday as a visual reminder of the
gift of the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Also on Pentecost we will once again be one of the host
parishes for the Archdiocesan-wide celebration of Adult Confirmation with a special Mass at 7:30 p.m. Each year hundreds
of adults complete their Sacraments of Initiation into the
Church by being confirmed and our Archdiocese elects to do
this on Pentecost Sunday. We’re always one of the host sites
given the size of our church. We’ll have plenty of visitors with
us for this special Mass (the adult candidates for confirmation
come from several different parishes as opposed to youth confirmation which is just our own parish), and we’ll need extra
help to accommodate them. If you can assist with being a
greeter or usher at this Confirmation Mass next week, please
contact the Liturgy Office this week.
A couple of studies released this past week caught my eye.
The first comes from the Center for Applied Research in the
Apostolate (C.A.R.A.), a Catholic-based organization based
out of Georgetown University. C.A.R.A. has been studying the
Catholic Church for more than 50 years. In the last five, it has
completed multiple national surveys of self-identified Catholic
adults. From these it can statistically discern what the “typical”
or “average” Catholic experiences in the U.S. these days. Allow me to share some of their findings:
The “average” Catholic is a 48-year-old, non-Hispanic white,
married woman with a Catholic spouse. She is of the postVatican II generation (born between 1961-81). Born in 1968,
she is probably named Mary. “Mary” has attended college,
owns a home and lives in a western state. The annual household income for her family is more than $65,000. She has a
teenage child still living at home, and she works full time.
She has another adult child who no longer lives at home.
Neither of these children is named Mary (this name fell out of
the top 50 in 2002 and has been outside the top 100 since
2009). As a child, Mary did not go to Catholic schools as her
parents did, and she did not enroll her children either. While
she attended parish-based religious education, her children
did not.
Currently, she attends Mass at least once a month and always on Ash Wednesday, Easter and Christmas. She keeps
May 17, 2015
up with her parish community by reading the parish bulletin.
Her household gives about $10 at the offertory collection.
Mary does not use much Catholic media other than the bulletin
and is not very active in their parish outside of attending Mass.
Her faith is important to her, but there are other things in her
life that are equally important.
Of course, Mary could just as easily be “Maria,” her Hispanic counterpart among the 38 million “mainstream” Catholics
who attend Mass at least once a month. Maria is slightly
younger than Mary and has more children. She is less likely to
be working and is living in a household that on average earns
less than Mary’s. Maria is also likely to attend Spanishlanguage Masses. She is also more likely than Mary to attend
Mass weekly. Mary and Maria could be fellow parishioners, as
Catholicism has become the most racially, ethnically and linguistically diverse religion in the nation.
Families like Mary’s and Maria’s represent about 45 percent
of Catholics. Another four percent of Catholics are “the core”
of the Catholic community. These are the individuals who do
not just attend Mass weekly; they are part of the small community that makes Masses and other activities happen in parishes. They are involved in a variety of devotional practices. They
say the rosary and attend to every detail of Lent and Advent.
They are knowledgeable and active in their faith in almost every way. In many ways, they come closest to living the faith life
that the church envisions for Catholics.
That still leaves the majority of self-identified Catholics out
there on the periphery, some 51 percent, with much more distant stories. Among this majority there are distinct sub-groups
as well. Some attend Mass at Christmas and Easter only.
Some have not attended Mass in years, but nonetheless consider themselves as Catholic as anyone else.
Even further out in the orbit – away from the core Catholics
and the mainstream Catholic life of Mary’s and Maria’s families
– are the former Catholics. About two-thirds of those raised
Catholic in the U.S. continue to self-identify into adulthood; a
third do not. Most leave in their teens and early 20s.
I find these statistics interesting (though of course one can
read them in a variety of ways), and there is another recent
study from the Pew Group that I will share with you in the coming weeks that has even more findings about faith in America.
The real question is what do we do with this information? What
does it mean to us? Do they ring true for us at CtR? I suspect
much of it does. I’m concerned when I read that only four percent of Catholics attend Mass on a weekly basis, and I’m even
more disturbed about the numbers of “drifters” we have –
those who drift away from active practice of the faith, particularly in their late teens and early 20s. This deserves a deeper
study and even deeper response.
I’d ask you to join me in praying for those Catholics who are
“inactive” in their faith and to start by inviting those you know
to join you at Mass. An invitation may be all they need to get
“jump started.” Let’s work together to build up a culture of
“intentional disciples” that live their faith daily. I hope we can
dive deeper into this in the coming months and seek ways to
bring more of our brothers and sisters to active engagement in
the faith of Jesus Christ and the Church.
Peace, Fr. Sean
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Parish Calendar
Sunday, May 17
Masses: 7, 9, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m
Catholic Daughter’s Recruitment Weekend - All Masses
9 a.m. Children’s Liturgy of the Word
12:15 p.m. Men’s ACTS Retreat Luncheon
12:30 p.m. Adult Confirmation Class
12:30 p.m. Postpartum Information Meeting
1 p.m. Baptisms
1 p.m. Sending Out Servants
1:30 p.m. Classics
6:10 p.m. High School Senior Banquet
6:30 p.m. AFF Catholic Scripture Study
Monday, May 18
7:30 a.m. Church Cleaning
9 a.m. Mass
Noon
Piece Makers
7 p.m. Financial Peace University - Legacy
7 p.m. Baptism Refresher Class
7 p.m. Handbell Concert
Tuesday, May 19
9 a.m. Mass
9:35 a.m. Rosary
5 p.m. Liturgy Committee Mtg.
7 p.m. Serenity Support Mtg
7 p.m. KofC Business Mtg.
7 p.m. Contemporary Ensemble
7 p.m. Young Adults Group
Wednesday, May 20
8:30 a.m. CtR Catholic School Mass
9:30 a.m. Familia 3
6 p.m. Reconciliation
Sidewalk
Chapel
PH
PO111
PO112
Church
PO201
CC
PH
PO111
Church
Chapel
PO111
PO201
PO111
PH
Chapel
Chapel
Parlor
PO112
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Church
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Church
PO207
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Wed. May 20, con’t
6:30 p.m. Catholic Daughter’s Business Mtg.
6:45 p.m. Youth - Rise
7 p.m. Mass
7 p.m. Familia
7 p.m. RCIA Inquiry Meeting
7:30 p.m. BSA Troop 573 Mtg.
Thursday, May 21
9 a.m. Mass
11 a.m. Game Day - Seniors
7 p.m. Adult Bible Study
7 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary Mtg.
7 p.m. St. Anne’s General Mtg.
7 p.m. CtR Choir Rehearsal
7 p.m. Talleres de Oración y Vida (TOV)
Friday, May 22
9 a.m. Mass
10 a.m. AFF Adult Bible Study
10 a.m. Prayer Blanket Workday
Saturday, May 23
7 a.m.
Men’s Fellowship
8:30 a.m.
AFF Women’s Fellowship G.R.A.C.E.
9 a.m.
Reconciliation
11 a.m.
Baptism Ceremony
5 p.m.
Mass
6 p.m.
Handbell End of Year Party
Sunday, May 24 - Pentecost - Wear Red
Masses: 7, 9, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
AFF Catholic Scripture Study
7:30 p.m.
Adult Confirmation Mass
PH
PLC Youth
Chapel
PO208
PO111
CC
Chapel
PO111
301
CC
PO111
Church
PO201
Chapel
PO111
CC
PO111
PO112
Church
Church
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PO111
Church
Stewardship o
off our Treasures
Collections: Week of May 10, 2015
Envelopes (657) received
Loose
Mailed In
Faith Direct (Electronic Giving)
First Communion
Collected:
Budget:
Over/(Under)
Weekly
$ 66,839
$ 65,309
$1,530
$ 14,654
$ 33,260
$
874
$ 18,051
$ 2,367
Year to Date
$ 3,013,366
$ 2,938,905
$74,461
Faith Direct , Our Electronic Giving Program
Visit www.fathdirect.net to securely enroll online by using our
church code: TX150.
One Faith, One Family Capital Campaign
Total Pledged
Total Paid to Date
Total Contributing Families
Total Project Cost (est.)
Total Registered Households
$ 6,173,838
$ 5,769,790
1,534
$11,700,000
6,228
Diocesan Service Fund (DSF)
Goal
$298,000
Pledged to Date
$269,699
Paid to Date
$185,350
Participating Families
857
Thank you for your pledge to our 2015 DSF campaign.
CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Parish Prayer List
Let us keep the following people in our prayers:
Sophia Anagnostou, Joel Rivera, Sue Kuvick, Sara
Aleman, Jean Carnes, Ashley Fuchs, Roque and
Pat Croes, Susie Hewitt Mena, Carmen Fewell,
Charlotte Rivet, Adrian Cavestany, Reynaldo Taupo, Joseph Herold, Robert Liller, Daisy Cerdena, Doris
Callender, Sue Lymberopoulos, Brian Kellogg, Eddie Holik,
Alfredo Bustamante Sr., Debra Hart and Family, Bruce
Wild, Amara Castillo, Paige Michele Crenshaw, Jacob Bryand, James Siragusa, Kasara Rathbun, Sharon Lerner, Joe
Folkers, Kristen Brazil, Kirk Colvin, Ryan Johnson, David
Aleman, Murphy Gauthreaux, Janis Gauthreaux, Krystal
Garcia Rathbun, Daniel S. McKey, Cindy White, Ron Andreo, Marie Ricca, Lisa Ross Smith, Ken Drilk, Daphne
Kowalski, Perry Wolfe, Catherine Kaltwasser, Susie Prather, Margie Holley, Janie Krechting, Steven Able Cook,
Brenda Harlan, Jacob Bryand, Ann Grant, Gloria Krancher,
Terry Harper, Carole Theunissen, Rachel Wickman, Vincent Salario, Bernice Kmiec, Michael A. Muench, Jr., Terry
Williams, Mark Vargas, Robbie Lee, Bobby Wotipka, Joe
Pilat, Sylvia Binford, Rosiana Lee, Beth Kash Bryant, Ed
Russek, Karan Mason, Kristofer Wells, Jules Rizzo, Thelma
Smith, Ginger Elznek, David Taveirne, Anabelle Anzaldo,
Bob and Maggie Schaefer, Elsie Forino, Smith Santos,
Joseph Pomilla, Logan Mulvany, Sandra Wall, Janice Oncale, Clem Huerstel, Lucille & Ervin Dormak, Toby Smith,
Alan Pichan, Marites Wente, David Hawkins, Ronnie Rodriguez, Phil Carpenter, Robin Wetmore, Rosalie Zavodny,
Stephanie Moore, Mildred and Sugwsie Slaceder, Brittany
Moore, Ray Waguespack, Sr., William Lewis, Sherrie Higgins, Shannon Zureich, Nancy Smalling, Lynne Tupper,
Cedric French-Galan, Paul Kellog, Laurie Garcia, Lena Luzadello, Matt Zimmerman, Catherine Burnham, Jean Anderson, Wendy Marquart, Donna Jordan, Christopher Geisheker, Rose Marie Sacco, Shae Clark, Jerry Polermo, Blake
Blasingim. Please keep all the sick of our parish in your
prayers.
If someone in your family is in need of prayer, please
contact the Parish Office to have their name placed in our
bulletin. We will keep the name on for two months unless
otherwise notified.
Prayer List for our Service Men & Women
Please keep the following in your prayers as they serve
our wonderful country in Afghanistan: Capt. Philip Yarborough, Jack Anthony Holland, 1st Lt. Michael Lambert,
MM3 Shane Beasley, Luis A Palomino, SSgt. David Perez, PFC Andrew Clepfer, Capt. Jeff St. Amant, Capt. David Torres. Keep all our service men and women in our
prayers. Visit our website for a full listing of servicemen
and women at www.ctrcc.com.
Please call the Parish Office to add the name of your loved
one in the Armed Services in combat zones to our prayer
list. If your soldier is back in the states, please call so we
may take his/her name off this list and share your joy.
May 17, 2015
Stewardship Corner
Jesus is the perfect steward - watching
carefully over all who have been entrusted
to Him by the Father and then sending them
all out into the world in service. May I similarly protect and
wisely use the gifts entrusted to me!
Serenity Support Group
Death and loss, although a part of our lives here on earth, is
sometimes difficult to deal with. The Serenity Support group
offers spiritual support and the healing comfort of God to all
who mourn a loss through death. Contact Mary Ann Marik
at 281-373-0250 or [email protected].
Mass Intentions for the Week of May 18, 2015
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
7 p.m.
9 a.m.
9 a.m.
5 p.m.
7 a.m.
9 a.m.
11 a.m.
5 p.m.
Robert and Vera Patterson†
Richard Alfaro, Jr.†
Ben Kocurek†
Petri Richardson†
Della Westphal†, Lilia Villena†
Brett Breaux†
Stanley Elzner†
Parishioners
Bill Duffy†, Angel Chiribi†
Isabel Rodriguez
Readings for the Week of May 17, 2015
Sunday
Acts 1:15-17, 20a, 20c-26; Ps 103;
1 Jn 4:11-16; Jn 17:11b-19
Monday
Acts 19:1-8; Ps 68; Jn 16:29-33
Tuesday
Acts 20:17-27; Ps 68; Jn 17:1-11a
Wednesday Acts 20:28-38; Ps 68; Jn 17:11b-19
Thursday Acts 22:30, 23:6-11; Ps 16; Jn 17:20-26
Friday
Acts 25:13b-21; Ps 103; Jn 21:15-19
Saturday
Gn 11:1-9; Rom 8:22-27; Jn 7:37-39
Sunday
Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor 12:3b-7, 12-13; Jn 20:19-23
MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR OF THE WEEK
Kitchen Lift
Please be sure to patronize our sponsors and thank them for
advertising in our bulletin. They make the bulletin possible at
no cost to Christ the Redeemer.
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Vocations Corner
Vocation Chalice Schedule
Let us join our prayers with those of Maria Rupe
at 9 a.m. this Sunday.
Next week: Sunday, May 24: Herman and Alba
Ayala at the 11 a.m. Mass.
Liturgical Music
Singing During Communion
Last weekend we celebrated First Communion with 135
children. It was beautiful to see so many youngsters excited
about receiving Eucharist for the first time along with their
parents, siblings and extended family. As usual the Choristers sang for this Mass. The 3rd through 7th graders really
feel their role as music ministers when they sing for these
“younger” children! Some of our singers even have sisters or
brothers making their First Communion.
As preparation for the special day, I am invited to meet
with the first communicants and their families to talk about
liturgical music and rehearse singing the hymns and acclamations that will be used for the Mass. I always try to talk
about singing during the communion processions and why
we do so.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM)
tells us, “While the priest is receiving the Sacrament, the
Communion chant [or song] is begun.” It goes on to say, “Its
purpose is to express our union by means of the unity of our
voices, to show joy of heart, and to highlight the
‘communitarian’ nature of the procession to receive communion,” (no. 86). The document Sing to the Lord (STL) tells
us that “the singing of the people should be preeminent,” (no. 189). The singing is to continue until all have received the sacrament.
The documents also tell us what to look for in the way of
texts for communion songs. We are asked to look for
“themes of joy, wonder, unity, gratitude, and praise,” (STL,
no. 191). It is also stated that we might look for texts that
reflect the Gospel of the day or the liturgical action, i.e., eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ. The spirit of
the particular liturgical season might also be reflected in the
communion song. We almost always choose songs with refrains for communion – something easy to sing as we are
moving through the communion line without worship aids.
Of course, we need quiet time for reflection and thanksgiving after receiving the Body and Blood of our Lord. The
liturgy allows for that in the time after everyone has received,
when we sit for a few quiet moments to reflect communally
on the gift we have received.
Peace and love,
Bridget Kelly Wenk
The Choristers and Youth Singers are taking time off for the
summer. Read the bulletin and this column for registration
dates for next season.
The CtR Choir rehearses Thursday at the usual time.
Liturgy
Preparing for the Spirit’s Coming
The days between Ascension Sunday (formerly Ascension Thursday) and Pentecost have long been kept as an
extended vigil for the Spirit’s coming among God’s people.
Like any vigil, it is a time of watching and waiting as we
hope for the fulfillment that Christ promised His followers
when He said, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you
another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of
truth,” (John 14:16).
One way of keeping these days is to enrich ourselves
with images of the world that God’s Spirit will bring. The
Lectionary, the book of Scripture readings used for Mass,
includes a vigil for Pentecost Sunday, much like the Easter
Vigil. It includes wonderful passages from the Hebrew
Scriptures that give us a taste of what the fullness of Pentecost will bring.
The first, Genesis 11:1-9, tells the story of the Tower of
Babel, when human pride led to the confusion of human
language. That division is resolved on Pentecost, when the
followers of Jesus speak in every tongue of God’s mighty
deed (Acts 2:1-11). Another reading, Ezekiel 37:1-14, recounts the prophet’s vision of the valley of dry bones, a
graveyard full of the dead of ancient Israel. As the prophet
calls on God’s Spirit, the dead live once again filled with
God’s holy breath.
A third reading from the prophet Joel, 3:1-5, foretells a
day when all of God’s people will be prophets. On that day,
“your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men
shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions;
even upon the servants and the handmaids, in those days, I
will pour out my spirit.”
Such dreams and visions are certainly worth hoping and
praying for - a human family no longer divided, the lost
dead restored, young and old alike inspired by God’s holy
presence. Let us keep vigil, readying ourselves to be renewed by the gifts of the Spirit, which are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety and fear of
the Lord (wonder and awe). Also that we be empowered to
share the Sprit’s creation in the image of the Risen Christ.
Easter joy be with you,
Carol Moses
Calling all CtR Moms for Fellowship and Fun!
St. Anne’s Society is a ministry for mothers of all ages that
provides opportunities for spiritual, social and educational
enrichment. Meetings are typically held at 7 p.m. on the
third Thursday of the month. We also host family events,
parent/child outings, play dates, mothers' socials, and
more. Join us for a summer fun and ice cream social
meeting at 7 p.m. on May 21 in the Parish Office, Room
111. Contact Kerry Chu at [email protected] for
more information or to reserve childcare. Nursing babies
are welcome at the meetings. Visit ctrcc.com/stanne.
CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOUSTON, TEXAS
Religious Education
May 17, 2015
Youth Ministry
2015-16 Registration (Pre-K 3 through 7th grade)
Online registration for 2015-16 is open for everyone. Visit
ctrcc.com/re.
CtRYM News
Rise and Encounter registration for 2015-16 is now open at
ctryouth.com.
Volunteer/Student Registration for VBS 2015
Middle School
Rise: Wednesday, May 20. Join us from 6:45-8:15 p.m. in
the Youth Room.
Mt. Everest Conquering Challenges with God's Mighty Power
Online registration for volunteers (for those entering 8th
grade or above) and participants is now open. Participants
must be 3 years - and potty trained - through entering 5th
grade in the fall of 2015. Space is limited. Cost is $30 per
child. For volunteer and participant registration, visit ctrcc.com/vbs. For questions, contact Jill Dimiceli, Coordinator of R.E. and VBS, at [email protected]. Registration
forms also in the Parish Office.
Registration for Catholic Faith Camp (CFC)
The Jesse Tree Journey
Catholic Faith Camp (formerly Catholic Children's Camp)
will be held July 20-24. Online registration for volunteers
(entering 8th grade or above) and participants is open.
CFC is a week of activities ending with Mass on Friday.
CFC is open to children entering 3rd grade through entering 6th grade in the fall of 2015.
 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
 $25 per child - includes a T-shirt and snack
We have a separate class for children of volunteers who
are too young to participate - 4 years of age to entering 2nd
grade in the fall of 2015. Register at ctrcc.com/cfc. Space is
limited. To volunteer or for information, contact Amy
Palmisano at [email protected] or Jill, Director of
CFC, at [email protected]. Registration forms also in the
Parish Office.
CtR Catholic School
As we near completion of our first year at CtRCS, our
hearts are overjoyed at what an incredible year it has
been. Our students, parents and staff all played an integral
part in helping the growth of a special school. Thank you
for the prayers and support. Each year will only get better!
There are still opportunities to have your child join us at
CtRCS for the 2015-16 school year. Please visit
ctrschool.com/admissions for more information.
Substitutes
Our school would love to have you on our substitute list. If
you are interested, please submit your resume to the
Catholic Schools Office at the Archdiocese of GalvestonHouston. If you have questions, please call 713-741-8704.
Applications are currently being accepted for before and
after school care substitutes for the 2015-16 school year.
Anyone interested should visit www.archgh.org for a support staff application and background check and submit to
[email protected].
Christ the Redeemer family,
For those of you who I have not met in my time here as
an apprentice, my name is Michelle Ross. I have been
serving this community for almost two years under the direction of Kathy Kelley and Fr. Sean. It is bittersweet that I
announce my time here is coming to a close; my final day
will be Friday, May 22.
For the past two years I have had plenty of opportunities
to get to know the parishioners through Religious Education classes, Youth Ministry events, RCIA and various other
ministries. It is through my involvement in these ministries
that I have been able to soak in the kindness, compassion
and patience that is so interwoven into the lives of our families here at Christ the Redeemer. I have been challenged
to grow ever more deeply into a disciple in love with Christ
and His Church through the example of so many of you!
Words could never express enough how truly blessed I
have felt to spend my apprenticeship at this parish.
Living so far from home has been difficult, but this parish has welcomed me with such a loving embrace. Thank
you for teaching me what it means to live with my brothers
and sisters in Christ. Thank you for allowing me to work
alongside you all as we strive to build up the Kingdom of
God here on earth. Thank you for helping me to grow closer and closer to Christ each day. And mostly, thank you for
welcoming me into your lives, your homes and your parish
community. I will take the memories made here wherever
God may lead me, and I will do my best to represent Christ
the Redeemer Church well as I go forth to make disciples.
Much love from your sister in Christ,
Michelle Ross
G.R.A.C.E. – Women’s Prayer Group
(Growing Relationships in A Christian Environment)
All ladies of CtR are invited to join our faith-sharing community, G.R.A.C.E., at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 in the
Parish Office, Room 217. Contact Fredna Kilcommins at
281-304-0717 or [email protected] or Nadia Matt at 713
-825-2732 or [email protected].
CtR Catholic Men's Fellowship
Men of the parish are invited to join them in their next discussion from 7-8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 in the Parish Office, Room 111. Come and join us as we build our
faith and share fellowship. Contact John Huston at 713-9625927 or Brian Caravantes at 281-433-4528.
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
Celebration Concert
Presented by
Christ the Redeemer Ringers
&
the Contemporary Ensemble
7:30 p.m.
Monday, May 18
Parish Hall
Free Admission
Nursery Available
CHRIST THE REDEEMER CATHOLIC CHURCH
HOUSTON, TEXAS
May 17, 2015
SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER