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September 5, 2010
23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends in Christ:
Quí Ông Bà và Anh Chị Em thân mến trong Chúa Kitô:
Estimados Amigos y Amigas en Cristo:
I cannot believe that in one short month on October 2 at 4:30 pm Cardinal DiNardo will dedicate the new pipe organ, Opus XIX, handcrafted by Martin Pasi and his associates. It seems like only yesterday on January 18-19, 2010 that two tractor trailer trucks arrived here from Roy, Washington, and the unloading of about 30 tons of organ equipment began. It was great to see so many parishioners helping to unload the trucks. I was amazed at how the trucks were loaded and unloaded in such a methodical manner: a giant "jigsaw puzzle" of parts and equipment that has now been assembled into a grand pipe organ. The Church's liturgical documents hold "the pipe organ is to be held in high esteem." This King of Instruments will be used to help us worship the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
We are embarking on a new wonderful chapter of the Co-Cathedral’s history with the dedication of this new pipe organ, Opus XIX. It is our hope and expectation that we will begin to build a more wonderful music program, using the pipe organ to worship, teach and inspire; a program that will be the center and pride of the Archdiocese and of the Houston area. We are excited about future concerts. Noted organists have been scheduled. David Higgs of Eastman School of Music in New York will give the Dedication Recital on Oct. 8. On Oct. 29, Phillipe Lefevre, the titular organist of Notre Dame of Paris, France will give an education presentation and a concert. On March 1, 2011, we have James O'Donnell, the organist from Westminster Abbey in London, giving an organ concert. The organists from Paris and London were scheduled already to be in Texas and we were able to secure them to come to Houston. And there is much more to come. We are hoping to attract more parishioners more choir members and visitors to the Co-Cathedral. We hope for a new hand bell choir to be formed in the months to come. So much excitement is building.
But with high hopes for such a music program comes additional costs. To meet such costs, a committee of parishioners and people from the Archdiocese has been formed, and we have embarked on a $100,000 campaign to fund a program for the next two years. We have sent out some 400 letters since August 12 to people throughout the Archdiocese who have a love for music. We have received so far $23,362.50. If you desire to learn more about Opus XIX, all the dedication festivities and planned music program, please read the Organ Update and Music News pages in this bulletin and go to the following web site: http://www.opusxix.org/ . You may also make a donation to the music program by donating online or sending us a check payable to the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart—Organ Fund.
Yes, I am excited about the new pipe organ. But I am also excited about a new fall semester with CCE, Adult Education opportunities and many other important ways to become more involved with the parish. We are always in need of more CCE teachers and assistants, people to assist with Adult Education, etc. Have you thought about being an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion? Please call the parish office if you are interested.
Praised be the Sacred Heart of Jesus! Forever, amen!
Hãy chúc tụng Thánh Tâm Chúa Giêsu đến muôn đời,
amen!
¡Alabado sea
el Sagrado Corazón de Jesús! ¡Por siempre, amen!
Fr. Lawrence W. Jozwiak
Pastor / Rector
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