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, Apostleship of the Sea, Hispanic Ministry, the largest private school system in Texas, 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 taking Our Lord’s words — “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God”  [Heb 13:16]  — to heart!
 
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? Cardinal DiNardo commented, “DSF continues to be the large service umbrella within the Archdiocese that binds us together in serving others and sharing what we have.”
 
I ask you, dear parishioners, to pray about your commitment to DSF for this new campaign. Pray about how much you should give in Jesus’ name. Fill out your personal pledge cards and make a meaningful contribution for your household this year. Return your pledge cards by mail, or place them in the collection basket at Mass.
 
Go online to:  https://www.archgh.org/dsf/  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.
 
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