Happy New Year from POP! January 2012

E-News to the Pews

January 2012

Happy New Year from Prince of Peace!

From the Pastor

Dear POP folks,

Another new year. This one will bring us an extra day at the end of February and congressional, senatorial, presidential, and assorted other elections in November. New priests will be ordained to serve our Archdiocese in January and June. The new guys and a bunch of their brother priests will be sent to new assignments.

There will probably be earthquakes, wars, terrorist threats, drought, and floods.

The economy will bump along in both directions simultaneously.

The most important thing that will happen this year is the Kingdom of God. Will it come into the world because of your prayer, effort or generosity? Will it come into your heart because of your openness to God's grace?

The pollsters are watching. The world is waiting.

It's your choice.

Father John

P.S. I hope you find time to read my January 2012 blog.

You also may keep in touch with Prince of Peace on Twitter and Facebook!

Clergy Corner

This new year,

let's look to the mother of the real Prince of Peace - Mary, Mother of God

By Fr. Eurel Manzano, January 2012

POP! It's the sound heard several times 'round the world every time the New Year dawns. From the POP of firecrackers, to the POP of champagne and sparkling wine, to the POP of waist buttons that have finally yielded to the added stress of holiday eats, the New Year is filled with that great onomatopoeia - POP!

While the New Year is certainly a time for loud celebrations and joyous festivities, it should also be a time of quiet reflection. As the definitive celebration of the passing of time, many opportunities for such reflection abound: How have I grown and matured as a person and in my spirituality over this past year? How has the Lord blessed my life this past year? What is He calling me to change? What are my desires for the upcoming year?

It would be helpful, I think, amidst all these questions, hopes, thoughts, feelings, and desires, to turn our attention to the Mother of God, Mary, whom we celebrate at the start of the New Year. Read more...

In the above photo, new Pastor, Fr. Christopher Plant, at Resurrection Catholic Community, enjoys Thanksgiving dinner with parishioners from his church and Prince of Peace. Five hundred people from Resurrection's needy community were served food donated by Prince of Peace's community that day.

A Success Story from Sister Parish, Resurrection

From math drills to musical productions of Mary Poppins and the Sound of Music, Carolyn Lopez found her experience at Resurrection Catholic Community to be an opportunity of a lifetime.

By Susan Gallagher, Director of Outreach

What difference does Prince of Peace make in our world by sustaining a Sister Parish relationship with Resurrection Catholic Parish? Why does Prince of Peace continue to support Resurrection Parish's school? Read more to learn about one student's success in life.

Carolyn Lopez moved to Houston with her family in 1956 and had the privilege of attending Resurrection Catholic School from 1^st to 7^th grade. Throughout her life, Carolyn continued to live in the Denver Harbor Community and always desired to have a career in law enforcement.

The encouragement of teachers, family, and people at Resurrection helped motivate Carolyn toward her goal. Learning the fundamentals at Resurrection's school prepared Carolyn for an educational career that included graduating from the Houston Technical Institute in 1974 and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Houston Downtown. Read more...

YOU'RE INVITED!

Join us at the 23^rd Annual Sister Parish Covenant Renewal Mass on Jan. 21, 2012, 5 p.m., at Resurrection Catholic Community

POP and Resurrection Catholic Community will join together to celebrate the 23rd year of the "Sister Parish" relationship between the two churches.

Location: Resurrection Parish, 915 Zoe Street, Houston, TX 77020

Date: Jan. 21, 2012

Time: 5:30 p.m. Mass

A reception will follow Mass in the Resurrection Gymnasium

Reserve your space on the POP Bus today at sparc@pophouston.org.

You also may Celebrate National Catholic Schools Week this month by donating to the Resurrection Catholic School. Go to www.firstgiving.com/stepsforstudents/2012 to sponsor a student and make a difference.

Gabriel Project Remembers Roe v. Wade . . .

An Hour of Prayer

Jan. 23, 2012

7 p.m., Mary Chapel

On Jan. 23, POP will remember the tragedy of abortion on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the day that abortion was legalized in the United States of America, Jan. 22, 1973. Since then, millions of babies have lost their lives and half of our teenage population is missing as a result. Please join the Gabriel Project Angels in an hour of prayer on Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. in POP's Mary Chapel for an hour of prayer, Eucharistic Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, and a candlelight rosary service. Our country needs our respect life prayers now more than ever!

Mission Statement

We, as a Catholic faith community, answer God's call to live out the Gospel through Sacramental worship, formation, evangelization, and serving those in need.

In This Issue

"Clergy Corner", by Fr. Eurel Manzano

Success Story from Sister Parish, Resurrection

An Hour of Prayer, Jan. 23 (Roe Vs. Wade)

POP Mission Statement

What's Happening, January 2012

Save the Date, February 2012

WHAT'S HAPPENING

January 2012

Jan. 4, Candlelight Memorial Mass, 7 p.m.: Please join us for POP's annual Candlelight Memorial Mass that honors families who have experienced miscarriage or infant loss. It will be held in the Mary Chapel at 7 p.m. Following the service will be a reception with cookies and hot chocolate in the St. Joseph Center. Please bring a NEW teddy bear in honor of a child's life, which will be passed on to children through our Outreach Ministry. Sponsored by Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Contact: Stephanie Regitz, AngelsofGod@pophouston.org.

Jan. 8, Hospitality Sunday: Joius after all morning and 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. Masses in the Community Center for coffee and refreshments, plus an opportunity to see what's new at the parish. Various ticket sales, registration for retreats and membership to POP also will be taking.

Jan. 8, High School Faith Formation Semester Kick-off

Jan. 13, 10 Great Dates: Begins at 6:30 p.m. in room 114. Couples will first watch the video, "The Blueprint of Love (Christ shows us how to love)" and then go out for alone time. Childcare is available by reservation, (281) 469-2686 (ext. 231) or childcare@pophouston.org. Contact: Olivia & Nathan, livandnath@gmail.com or (281) 732-8268. No previous attendance or fee is required.

Jan. 21, Covenant Mass with Sister Parish, Resurrection: The Bishop will preside at Resurrection's 5:30 p.m. Mass, with Fr. John Keller and Fr. Christopher Plant concelebrating in the renewal of the Covenant between Sister Parishes, POP and Resurrection. Contact: Jim Vossler: SPARC@pophouston.org.

Jan. 21, "Bible Bingo...An Act of Charity...in Two Acts" performance: Catholic Daughter's Court of the Holy Family is presenting this Nuns4Fun performance of "Bible Bingo - An Act of Charity...in Two Acts", Saturday, Jan. 21, in POP's Community Center. Tickets are $25 per person. This hilarious on-stage comedy performance will keep you laughing for two hours. There is a lot of audience interaction as you listen to funny tales of "sister" trying to raise money for the church and play a game or two of bingo for very silly prizes. For information or to buy tickets, contact Mary Jane Albert, maryjalbert@sbcglobal.net or (281) 381-0309.

Jan. 22, Festival of Schools & Hospitality Sunday: Come to the Community Center after Mass to meet representatives from area Catholic schools and learn about educational options for your children. Also, enjoy delicious food and other informational booths. Contact: Sue Hofmeister, (281) 469-2686 (ext. 246) or shofmeister@pophouston.org.

Jan. 23, Day of Penance & Prayer (Remembering Roe v. Wade): Join POP in 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration to pray for an end to abortion. Contact: Susan Gallagher, sgallagher@pophouston.org.

Jan. 27 - 29, 10^th Grade Challenge Retreat, #1: For 10^th and 11^th graders; held at Kickapoo Ranch. Getting Confirmed? Sign up, $110. Contact Matt Regitz, mregitz@pophouston.org.

Jan. 27, Living Matrimony: Engaged and married couples are invited at 6:30 p.m., room 108-110 St. Joseph Center. The topic for the evening is: "Strengthening Your Marriage in Today's Economy" presented by Robert Trahan. Childcare is available by reservations; babies welcome in the meeting. Contact: Sue Hofmeister, (281) 469-2686 (ext. 246) or shofmeister@pophouston.org.