The Catholic Church of 

St. Mary the Virgin

 
  “Hope” has been called the forgotten virtue of our time. Although we are blessed to live in an era of considerable technological and scientific achievements, it may also be an age of diminished hope or, perhaps more accurately, misdirected hope, because it is tempting to replace the theological virtue of hope with flimsy substitutes that cannot possibly give us what our souls ultimately need. We also live in an era marked by violence, which leads to a barrage of images sent worldwide that show citizens fighting police, a widespread unease with our political process, a deepening distrust of the Government and major media outlets. All of these can these can threaten hope.
   What is the Virtue of Hope? Hope is the second of the three theological Virtues; the other two are Faith and Charity (or Love). Like all virtues, hope is a habit; like the other theological virtues, it is also gift of God through grace. The Concise Catholic Dictionary defines Hope as ‘The theological virtue which is a supernatural gift bestowed by God through which one trusts God will grant eternal life and the means of obtaining it providing one cooperates. Hope is composed of desire and expectation together with a recognition of the difficulty to be overcome in achieving eternal life’.
   Thus, Hope does not imply a belief that salvation is easy; in fact, just the opposite. We have hope in God because we are certain that we cannot achieve salvation on our own. God's grace, freely given to us, is necessary in order for us to do what we need to do to achieve eternal life. Hope is also a habit and a desire, as well as an infused virtue, we can obviously reject hope through our Free Will. The decision not to reject Hope is aided by Faith, and inspired by Charity.
   The Saints, who enjoy the Beatific Vision in the next life, no longer have hope; their hope has been fulfilled. As Saint Paul writes, "For we are saved by hope. But hope that is seen, is not hope. For what a man seeth, why doth he hope for?" (Romans 8:24). Likewise, those who no longer have the possibility of union with God—that is, those who are in hell— can no longer have hope.
The Virtue of Hope belongs only to those who are still struggling toward full union with God—men and women on this earth and in Purgatory. In other words, no matter how difficult our present may seem – don’t lose hope!
Faithfully,
Your Friend and Pastor,
Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook

   An article about “Patriotism” is often written in church bulletins around July 4th, or, perhaps, near Memorial Day; but recent events have moved me to touch on this important subject for this week’s bulletin. Those who have heard me preach over the years know that I am a big fan of G. K. Chesterton. Today, I would like to offer you  some helpful (I hope) words from G. K. Chesterton on Patriotism.  For him, love of country was like love of family.  You don’t necessarily love them for all of their wonderful qualities, as if you would stop loving them should they lose those wonderful qualities.  You love them because they are your family.  And we should love our country because this is our country. Chesterton opposed the cosmopolitanism of his day that valued “globalism” over one’s particular homeland. Here is an excerpt from his writings in which he discussed and applied the concept of patriotism:
   “My acceptance of the universe is not optimism, it is more like patriotism. It is a matter of primary loyalty. The world is not a lodging-house at Brighton, which we are to leave because it is miserable. It is the fortress of our family, with the flag flying on the turret, and the more miserable it is the less we should leave it. The point is not that this world is too sad to love or too glad not to love; the point is that when you do love a thing, its gladness is a reason for loving it, and its sadness a reason for loving it more. All optimistic thoughts about England and all pessimistic thoughts about her are alike reasons for the English patriot. Similarly, optimism and pessimism are alike arguments for the cosmic patriot. . . .People first paid honour to a spot and afterwards gained glory for it. Men did not love Rome because she was great. She was great because they had loved her.”
   From his essay “THE PATRIOTIC IDEA"
   Another famous writer put it this way “The man who has no country has no God, either.” – Dostoevsky
   May we, as Catholics of the Universal Church, and as Citizens of our Country, always strive to embrace the concept of Christian Patriotism. And may God Bless the United States of America!
Faithfully,
Your Friend and Pastor,
Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook

Dear Friends in Christ:

As I mentioned in last week’s letter, while the hustle and bustle of Christmas ends for many people on Dec. 26,  the Season of Christmas lasts for Catholics for twelve days – all the way until Jan. 6.
This feast marking the end of Christmas is called “Epiphany.”

In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church (of which we are a part), Epiphany celebrates the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God. It focuses primarily on this revelation to the Three Wise Men, but also in His baptism in the Jordan and at the wedding at Cana.

In the Eastern rites of the Catholic Church, “Theophany" – as Epiphany is known in the East – commemorates the manifestation of Jesus' divinity at his Baptism in the River Jordan.

While the traditional date for the feast is Jan. 6, in the United States the celebration of Epiphany is moved to the closest Sunday (by a decision of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, under which the Ordinariate functions here in the USA)
 
Epiphany is often marked by taking chalk (blessed at Mass) home afterwards. Our parishioners are invited to inscribe the first part of the year, followed by the letters and then the last numbers of the year on top of the front door of their house. This year the inscription will be “20+C+M+B+21” The letters stand for the names traditionally given to the Three Wise Men – Casper, Melchior and Balthazar – as well as for the Latin phrase “Christus mansionem benedicat,” or, “Christ, bless this house.” 

However, the meaning of the feast goes deeper than just the bringing of presents, chalking our doors or the commemorating the end of the end of Christmas Season. The gifts themselves that the Wise Men brought – frankincense, myrrh and gold – are gifts that point not only to Christ’s divinity and His revelation to the Magi as the King of Kings, but also to His crucifixion. Frankincense comes from the dried sap of Boswellia trees, while Myrrh comes from the lifeblood of the Commiphora plant. Everything from the bark of the tree to the sap inside is fragrant, so both Frankincense and Myrrh can be used as incense and perfume. In giving Myrrh (traditionally used to anoint a body for burial), these gifts, bring a theological “shadow", a sense of anticipation of what is to come.

Our boys and girls will enact this wonderful event at the Epiphany Pageant at the High Mass today. We thank all who have worked so hard to perform this pageant and indeed all who worked so hard to give us a wonderful Christmas here! 

Faithfully,

Your Friend and Pastor,

Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook

 

   As you all know, the commutation of the obligation to attend public Mass during the coronavirus pandemic has been in place since the middle of March.  It was already my intention to revisit this in September, but now even the Vatican has beaten me to the punch!  Cardinal Robert Sarah, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, has written to the presidents of the Bishops’ Conferences to remind them of the urgency of encouraging the faithful to return to in-person Mass.
    Our faith is sacramental, not notional.  The Word became flesh, and gives himself to us in the flesh in the Eucharistic sacrifice.  This sacramental principle also applies to the Liturgy of the Word, as the liturgical proclamation of the Word is categorically different than reading the scriptures in our private devotional prayer.  The circumstances of these last months have been exceptional, certainly.  Given the sacramental character of our worship and life, however, we risk great and lasting harm to the Church and to individual souls the longer people stay away from Mass and Confession.
    Beginning October 1, 2020, I am modifying the commutation of the obligation to attend Mass.  As of that date, the commutation applies only to those persons who are at higher risk for the Coronavirus (according to the CDC, those who are 60+ years of age, those with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, COPD, kidney disease, or are immuno-compromised).  Persons not in this vulnerable group should be encouraged to return to Mass and the Sacraments.
   As always, we seek to balance our religious obligations with a common-sense approach to health and safety.  I encourage each congregation to redouble efforts at disinfecting churches and spaces.  Please, encourage mask wearing. 
   Mass is essential.  Faithfulness in a pandemic takes pastoral courage.  It is our obligation to witness now to the certainty of the redeeming presence of Christ in the Mass and Sacraments.
  Sincerely yours in Christ,
 +Steven J. Lopes
Bishop, Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter

I am so grateful that our Governor, Gregg Abbott, has continued to uphold our Religious Freedom (the 1st Freedom as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has reminded us) and exempted churches from many of the restrictions faced by other entities. With the recent rise of Covid-19 cases in Texas, we will continue to adhere to the directives of state and local authorities and take the necessary safety precautions, namely proper social distancing spacing, disinfecting all pews and the altar rail after every Mass. (Volunteers for this are needed – please call the parish office if you can help) Please consider bringing your own wipes and wipe down your pew and kneeler before you leave – this will ensure a double cleaning of that area. We also have hand sanitizer available in the Narthex. If you have extra hand sanitizer, wipes, disinfectant spray or liquid that you can donate, please contact the parish office.
 For parishioners over the age of 65, those who have pre-existing conditions and those that prefer to remain at home, we will continue to live stream one of our Sunday Masses on our parish Facebook page.  You may use this link to access the SMV Faceb                                                                                                                                                                
For those of you who will join us for Mass, welcome!
 We ask that you:
Please consider wearing a mask while socializing on the church grounds (the mask can be removed when inside the church and during the mass itself)
Please continue to sit in every other pew; Please do not sit in the pews marked off with blue tape.
Families are encouraged to sit together in a pew. If there are two or more families in the same pew there should be a proper distance between each family;
For those in the overflow seating in the Parish Hall, please follow the Ushers’ instructions, they will direct the flow of traffic to and from the altar rail;
When socializing in the courtyard or parish hall after mass, please continue to keep socially distant from each other.
Please do NOT set up any displays, tables with books or religious items, information booths, or advertisements (for either parish or non parish events such as off campus talks and events, or possible future trips or pilgrimages) or hold any fundraisers in the courtyard, narthex, parish hall or the parking lot until further notice. These displays and tables (with things like books or religious articles) complicate our efforts to maintain Social Distancing.
Please remember that the collection plate is located in the Narthex of the Church. Your generosity is especially appreciated during this unusual time.
 Please recall that Bishop Lopes has commuted the normal obligation to attend Sunday Mass at this time for some parishioners (See His Excellency's letter above) . This “commutation” means that the Sunday obligation of these Christian faithful who meet the expected conditions (see above) to be present in Church on Sunday is met through one of the two following pious practices:
A. Prayerful reflection upon the Sunday Scripture readings, and concluding that reflection by the recitation of the Prayer of Humble Access or the Anima Christi;
B. The recitation of the Rosary as a family; Having the obligation to attend Sunday Mass commuted does not mean you have a day off, like taking a day off work. It is still The Lord’s Day: the Day of the Resurrection. Below are some prayers which are helpful to fulfill your obligation on Sunday, as well as prayers for making a “spiritual communion.”
 Prayer of Humble Access We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up thy crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his Blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, and our souls washed through his most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
 Anima Christi (As taken from St. Gregory’s Prayer Book, page 32). Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me; Blood of Christ, inebriate me; Water from Christ’s side, wash me; Passion of Christ, strengthen me; O good Jesus, hear me; Within thy wounds hide me; Suffer me not to be separated from Thee; From the malicious enemy defend me; In the hour of my death call me; And bid me come unto Thee; That with thy Saints I may praise Thee; forever and ever. Amen.
Prayers for Spiritual Communion (As taken from St. Gregory’s Prayer Book, page 230) In union, dear Lord, with all the faithful at every altar of thy Church where the blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer thee praise and thanksgiving. I believe you are truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. And since I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself unto thee, and embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from thee. Let me live and die in thy love. Amen
 I worship thee, Lord Jesus, and kneeling unto thee, as thou didst come to Mary, I pray thee come to me, I beseech thee, and unite me to thyself. Though I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, yet I believe that thou art able, even when received by faith and desire only, to heal, enrich and sanctify me. Come thou spiritually into my heart. I desire to unite myself to thee with all the affections of my soul. Possess me wholly; let the consuming fire of thy love absorb me, and thy presence abide so intimately in me, that it will be no longer I that live, but thou that livest in me. Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart. Amen.
 Please know that your priests and staff at St. Mary the Virgin are praying for you, and we ask that you continue to pray for us as well.
 
Faithfully, Your Friend and Pastor,
Fr. Christopher C. Stainbrook

Eucharistic Adoration is offered on Fridays, beginning after the 12:00 noon Mass and concludes at 5:00 p.m.  Please come and sit with our Lord for an hour. WE NEED MORE ADORERS to maintain this Ministry, as the Blessed Sacrament cannot be left alone in the Church.  Please call the Parish Office to Sign Up for a time.
(2 needed each hour) 

 

The Catholic Church of St. Mary the Virgin wants you to know that the church remains unlocked for private prayer and reflection before and after daily Mass from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

We are now streaming ALL Sunday Masses
(the 8:00 a.m. Low Mass, the 10:30 a.m. High Mass with
full choir and ceremonial and
the 1:00 p.m. Low Mass with Hymns)  on the
St. Mary the Virgin Facebook Page