July 3, 2026
Greetings in Christ,
This weekend, our Lord invites us to come to Him as His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. By moving within the heart and world of Christ, we move into the eternal communion that He shares with the Father. We share in their “intimate exchange of love” that they enjoy and wish to share with others. In short, the Heart of Christ offers the fullness of life!
Capital Campaign Planning Study: I invite you to read the letter below about our progress.
Thank You: Thank you to all our volunteers who helped put on such a great brunch for our Franciscan Clarist Sisters. Sr. Litty and Sr. Jyothis are very happy with our beloved parish! Additionally, thank you for honoring Fr. Maloney and the great year he was able to give us as our associate. I am grateful that he will be helping us out here and there with needed Masses!
Fourth of July: We will have Mass on Saturday, July 4, at 8:00 am to celebrate the blessings God has given to our country.
Fr. Mike Schmitz: I came across a video from Fr. Mike Schmitz reflecting on the Fourth of July, including its meaning from a Catholic perspective. In our Catholic tradition, freedom is a gift from God that gives us the capacity to conform our wills with His. Only God is truly free.
While the United States is a democracy governed by the people, at the end of time, when Jesus returns, all world democracies will be governed by a monarchy – The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will be subjects of a great, merciful, just, and perfect Lord forever. Thus, as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we thank God for our independence as a country today, while we look forward to serving the Great King in His Kingdom forever.
While the United States is a democracy governed by the people, at the end of time, when Jesus returns, all world democracies will be governed by a monarchy – The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We will be subjects of a great, merciful, just, and perfect Lord forever. Thus, as we celebrate the Fourth of July, we thank God for our independence as a country today, while we look forward to serving the Great King in His Kingdom forever.
St. Therese and Nietzsche: I recently came across an article highlighting a very intriguing moment in history. There is a good chance that St. Therese and her family stayed at the same hotel in Paris while the atheistic philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, was also staying there. One would be hard-pressed to find two more different outlooks on life and relationships with God.
While St. Therese was all about trust and confident love in God, Nietzsche was famous for his “Death of God,” the will to power, and rising above conventional morality to create one’s own morality. St. Therese died at the height of joy and love – entrusting herself to God, while Nietzsche ended his days hopelessly insane, dying at last of syphilis and despair. As I have said so often, every path leads somewhere no matter how fast or slow you walk on it!
While St. Therese was all about trust and confident love in God, Nietzsche was famous for his “Death of God,” the will to power, and rising above conventional morality to create one’s own morality. St. Therese died at the height of joy and love – entrusting herself to God, while Nietzsche ended his days hopelessly insane, dying at last of syphilis and despair. As I have said so often, every path leads somewhere no matter how fast or slow you walk on it!
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX): A traditional Catholic priestly society founded in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre made headlines this week by proceeding to ordain four new bishops without papal approval. The society has roughly 730 priests and serves roughly 500,000 to 600,000 traditional faithful.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith issued a decree that all bishops involved incurred the penalty of automatic excommunication latae sententiae. The Dicastery also noted that the SSPX clergy who administer the sacraments illicitly and that the sacrament of penance administered by them and the marriage assisted by them are invalid.
The Dicastery cautioned clerics and lay faithful of SSPX not to adhere to the schism, as they would incur ipso facto the penalty of excommunication. As always, pray for the unity of the Church. It is a great reminder that as Catholics, we always do everything in union with the Holy Father, who is the Vicar of Jesus Christ. Archbishop Hebda issued a statement yesterday.
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith issued a decree that all bishops involved incurred the penalty of automatic excommunication latae sententiae. The Dicastery also noted that the SSPX clergy who administer the sacraments illicitly and that the sacrament of penance administered by them and the marriage assisted by them are invalid.
The Dicastery cautioned clerics and lay faithful of SSPX not to adhere to the schism, as they would incur ipso facto the penalty of excommunication. As always, pray for the unity of the Church. It is a great reminder that as Catholics, we always do everything in union with the Holy Father, who is the Vicar of Jesus Christ. Archbishop Hebda issued a statement yesterday.
Priest Conference: I will be flying out on Sunday afternoon to a priest conference on the Psalms in West Virginia. The conference is sponsored by the St. Paul Center and will include some of the best thinkers such as Scott Hahn and John Bergsma. The conference will be helpful as I will be offering a course on the Psalms this fall! Fr. Maloney will cover the Masses on the weekend of July 11 and 12, as I will be away on vacation with family friends in Jackson Hole.:)
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Do you know someone who would be comforted and blessed by a prayer shawl? They are created with care, love, and prayer for someone in need. Perhaps you know of someone who has lost a loved one, is hospitalized, is preparing for surgery, or is suffering in any way? Maybe a friend, a relative, or even yourself. Contact Geri in the parish office at 952-473-4422 to help pick out a shawl to give to someone who needs comfort.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Do you know someone who would be comforted and blessed by a prayer shawl? They are created with care, love, and prayer for someone in need. Perhaps you know of someone who has lost a loved one, is hospitalized, is preparing for surgery, or is suffering in any way? Maybe a friend, a relative, or even yourself. Contact Geri in the parish office at 952-473-4422 to help pick out a shawl to give to someone who needs comfort.
Paver engraving orders are now open: Make a lasting memorial for your family or a loved one! Pavers are $150 for the first paver and $125 for each additional. Forms are available at entrances and online. Turn forms in at the parish office. Orders are due Tuesday, September 8. Questions? Contact John Thomas, 952-262-7182 or jdthomas48@comcast.net.
Traveling this summer? Set up recurring giving, and your stewardship continues, even when you're away. Your generosity helps keep our ministries strong all year long, supporting the parish community no matter where your summer adventures take you.
Update Your Membership Information: Does our Church database have your family's membership record correct? Do you want your record published? Here is your chance to update your record for our Guide Book & Directory.
It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in your family. Have you changed your phone number? Do you no longer have a landline? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Please call Geri in the church office (952-473-4422) to update your record in our database.
Traveling this summer? Set up recurring giving, and your stewardship continues, even when you're away. Your generosity helps keep our ministries strong all year long, supporting the parish community no matter where your summer adventures take you.
Update Your Membership Information: Does our Church database have your family's membership record correct? Do you want your record published? Here is your chance to update your record for our Guide Book & Directory.
It is time for us to update our database with any changes, additions, or deletions that may have occurred in your family. Have you changed your phone number? Do you no longer have a landline? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Please call Geri in the church office (952-473-4422) to update your record in our database.
Adoration Update: For the time being, Adoration will be held either in the Sanctuary, Cry Room, or the Community Room.
Fourth of July: We will have Mass on Saturday, July 4, at 8:00 am; we will not have Adoration that day.
Currently, we are seeking a bit more assistance during the following times:
For more information, call Geri at 952-473-4422 or Marilyn Olson at 952-474-4344.
Fourth of July: We will have Mass on Saturday, July 4, at 8:00 am; we will not have Adoration that day.
Currently, we are seeking a bit more assistance during the following times:
- Tuesday, 3–4 pm
- Wednesday, 12–1 pm
- Wednesday, 1-2 pm
For more information, call Geri at 952-473-4422 or Marilyn Olson at 952-474-4344.
The July focus for Reclaiming Sundays is Creation: Jonathan and Mary Foster, parents and directors at Trinity Woods Catholic Retreat Center, describe how outdoor activities with their family make for wonderful memories and ultimately enhance their appreciation for God’s creation, especially on the Lord’s Day. Let’s reclaim Sundays for the Lord and our families.
July Happenings from the Archdiocese:
Together on the Hill: July 4th Patriotic Concert
Saturday, July 4, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul
Celebrate America’s 250th with an inspiring concert featuring grand piano, acoustic guitar, trumpet, mandolin, violin, and vocals at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul—just before the fireworks! Register for your free tickets at StevenCAmerica.eventbrite.com.
His Name Hallowed:
Friday, July 10, 5-9:30 p.m., Holy Family High School, Victoria
A family-friendly concert featuring national artist Seph Schlueter, food trucks, and Eucharistic Adoration under the stars. Find more information at hisnamehallowed.org.
Estate Planning: A reminder that we have a Little Flower Legacy Society at St. Therese to encourage planned and estate gifts to our parish, our school, or one of our endowment funds. Please include St. Therese as a beneficiary in your estate planning! It is an opportunity to give back to our beloved parish and ensure that our parish remains financially viable for generations to come!
Together on the Hill: July 4th Patriotic Concert
Saturday, July 4, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul
Celebrate America’s 250th with an inspiring concert featuring grand piano, acoustic guitar, trumpet, mandolin, violin, and vocals at the magnificent Cathedral of St. Paul—just before the fireworks! Register for your free tickets at StevenCAmerica.eventbrite.com.
His Name Hallowed:
Friday, July 10, 5-9:30 p.m., Holy Family High School, Victoria
A family-friendly concert featuring national artist Seph Schlueter, food trucks, and Eucharistic Adoration under the stars. Find more information at hisnamehallowed.org.
Estate Planning: A reminder that we have a Little Flower Legacy Society at St. Therese to encourage planned and estate gifts to our parish, our school, or one of our endowment funds. Please include St. Therese as a beneficiary in your estate planning! It is an opportunity to give back to our beloved parish and ensure that our parish remains financially viable for generations to come!
Flocknote:You can receive my daily Mass reflections sent right to your
phone! To sign up, just text the word “ANDRIE” to 84-576 to follow the link.
Stewardship:Thank you to everyone who continues to support St. Therese! I invite you to continue supporting our beloved parish as it helps us to serve you and remain connected with you! This can be done in the following ways:
Blessings,
Fr. Andrie
phone! To sign up, just text the word “ANDRIE” to 84-576 to follow the link.
Stewardship:Thank you to everyone who continues to support St. Therese! I invite you to continue supporting our beloved parish as it helps us to serve you and remain connected with you! This can be done in the following ways:
- Click the donation button on our main parish website. You can contribute as a guest or log in if you have previously created a profile. You can choose the frequency of your gift (one-time, weekly, biweekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually).
- Bring or mail your stewardship envelope to our parish office.
- Consider transferring a stock “gift” to St. Therese. It’s a tax-free donation.
Blessings,
Fr. Andrie
Goldy is ready to celebrate the Fourth of July!