Good day, friends! 

Welcome to Lent! If you were among the many folks who were here on Ash Wednesday you saw the great crowds of people who gathered to start this journey to Easter. I’d like to briefly remind and encourage you to recall the “road rules” that I offered as one way to navigate this great adventure. They are both simple and practical: (1) pay attention to what’s going on, along the way; (2) yield to God’s grace; take this opportunity to be led, instead of trying to figure things out; (3) follow the detour signs and trust that the Lord Jesus will lead you where He wants you to go. The Church offers us three very solid pillars for us to engage and they are prayer, fasting and almsgiving. This weekend we will speak about the different ways that you can engage the different almsgiving opportunities. 

Fr. Ray 

Good day, friends: 

Last week I was able to visit some of our seminarians; Alex in Houston and Ivan and Ruben in Dallas. Alex passed his fourth and final evaluation and is really excited and looking forward to his ordination, with Alonso, on May 30. Both Ivan and Ruben are doing very well, getting back into the rhythm of seminary life. 

This year our United in Ministry goal has increased, almost by $5,000; our goal this year is set at $56,221.71. Last year we were both able to meet and exceed our parish goal, meaning a rebate of almost $21,000. I hope that you will consider making a pledge, either in the name of our seminarians or one of our retired priests. There are a couple of options when making a pledge; you can do a onetime donation or a monthly gift, whatever is easiest for you. Also, when you’re ready to turn in your pledge envelope you can do a few things to ensure proper delivery; you can put it in the mail, you can drop it in the collection basket or you can simply come by the office and leave it here. 

On behalf of our seminarians, Alex, Alonso, Gino, Ruben, Ivan, and Jeff, I’d like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your prayerful support. Please pray for those who are considering a life of service to God’s church.  

Blessings, 
Fr. Ray

Greetings Newman! 

Fr. Ray was out this week checking up on the seminarians, and in his absence he offered me the opportunity to share a little about campus ministry. We just wrapped up our spring directing team meeting for the Campus Ministry Leadership Institute that we will be hosting in June. The directing team is made up of a group of twenty students and campus ministers from five different universities. We spent Friday evening and all day Saturday praying and planning at Newman, Holy Cross Retreat Center, and on campus. There is still much work to be done, but we are well on our way to hosting a great CMLI! 

Many students are also preparing for a few important events: Aggie Awakening V, the Alternative Spring Break Service Trip to Albuquerque, and a road trip to the LA Religious Education Congress. These three events offer a snapshot of many of the goals and values of our campus ministry program. Each in their own way, allow excellent opportunities for students to exercise leadership, offer their time and talents to serve the common good, to learn more about the Catholic faith, and to experience the richness of the local and universal Church. Please continue to keep our efforts in prayer! 

Peace, 
Sal