Priests of the Archdiocese

The FDLC offers a liturgical preparation aid for Lent, the Sacred Paschal Triduum, and the Easter Season.  This forty-nine-page resource for the Great Ninety Days is attached.  It will also be posted on the FDLC website.

The document contains:

• A full presider’s text for the “Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents with Individual Confession and Absolution”
• Sample Music Suggestions
• Sample Penances
• A Liturgical Year Calendar Advisory
• Frequently-asked Questions and Their Answers
• A summary of the Lectionary readings for Sundays and Solemnities
• Preparation sheets for the Rites belonging to the Period of Purification and Enlightenment
• Preparation sheet for Palm Sunday
• Preparation sheets for the Sacred Paschal Triduum
• An Order of Service for Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday evening.

POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION

QUERIDA AMAZONIA

OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD
AND TO ALL PERSONS OF GOOD WILL

1. The beloved Amazon region stands before the world in all its splendour, its drama and its mystery. God granted us the grace of focusing on that region during the Synod held in Rome from 6-27 October last, which concluded by issuing its Final Document, The Amazon: New Paths for the Church and for an Integral Ecology.

To continue reading the document, click HERE.

The Marian Servants greet you in the love of Christ! 

 As one way of expressing their gratitude and support to the priests in our archdiocese, the Marian Servants^® of the Incarnate Wisdom have sponsored a number of priests over the years to make a retreat in Clearwater, FL on the grounds of their Founding Community, the Marian Servants of Divine Providence^®.  They are  extending that invitation again this year to continue their commitment to serving us. As in the past, the Marian Servants^® of the Incarnate Wisdom will cover all retreat fees (excluding travel arrangements) and will assist you with the registration process.

There are opportunities for private directed retreats or, if you are a graduate of the IPF program, you may be interested in one of the upcoming IPF Alumni Retreats.

The available dates for the retreats are:

Private 5 or 8-day Directed Retreat Dates: (click for more info)

• February 5 – February 13, 2020
• March 2 – March 10, 2020
• April 15 – May 14, 2020

• November 4 - November 11, 2019
• February 17 - February 24, 2020
• November 2 - November 9, 2020

Location:  Our Lady of Divine Providence House of Prayer  702 S Bayview Ave, Clearwater, FL 33759

They are also very excited to share with us that a new retreat house (the “Mother Couderc House”), was completed early this year.  This beautiful new building has been specifically designed to serve priests on retreat with 20 private bed/bathrooms, a common area and chapel. See accompanying photos.

If you wish to attend or would like some more information or other assistance, please contact Cindy Stegemeier. Also, you are encouraged to share this information with any other diocesan priest serving the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston who you think might be interested.  More information about the Marian Servants community in Houston, can be found on their website:  www.marianservantshouston.org or you may enjoy viewing their video. Visit them on Facebook

P.S. Thans you to the many priests who support their School of Spiritual Direction each June by celebrating Mass and providing the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the students.  Please keep the school in your prayers.  They will hold their 6th school session in Houston June 12th – 27th, 2020 at St. Mary’s Seminary.

Mother Couderc Retreat House Chapel

The events of the past few weeks have left many people in the Church – clergy and faithful alike -- confused, angry, shocked, and bewildered. We grieve for the victims of abuse and for their families. They have endured years, even decades, of physical and psychological scars. All of us, as the Body of Christ, must do all we can to assist them.

Unfortunately, it seems that news accounts have painted the Church and its hierarchy with too broad a brushstroke –condemning all for the failings of a few. Thousands of good and faithful priests are tainted by the actions of those who abused the most vulnerable in their care. Diocesan bishops were all made to look suspect, even though most were diligent in following the charter for the protection of children. The wonderful programs and policies of the Church have become overshadowed by more salacious headlines.

What can we do? First, we can turn to our God in prayer. He never ceases to guide his Church, to sanctify its members, and to protect it from harm. Once again and still, we turn to Jesus, our High Priest, and find consolation and strength in his Word and Sacraments. (FDLC Resources Introduction)

Here are listed a variety of resources to assist you in gathering people for prayer. The FDLC resources are extensive. May God assist us all as we turn to Him, the Source of all healing, comfort and peace.

A Prayer For Our Church (English)    (Spanish)

A Litany of Forgiveness (English)      (Spanish)

FDLC Resources for Liturgy and Prayer  (English)    (Spanish)

To download the Year of Grace 2018 document, click HERE.

To download the Year of Grace 2019 document, click HERE.

To download the YEAR OF GRACE 2020 document, click HERE.

The Office of Worship has published a Quick Guide to Wedding Masses on Fridays and Saturdays.  The hope is that whoever is responsible for helping the couples select the time and date for their wedding can be aware that the selection of an evening Mass time/ particular day is impacted by the rubrics.   Here is a quick reference guide as to whether the nuptial prayers and readings can be used.

Welcome to this website for the priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. The intent of this website is to become a place where our brother priests can find information to assist them in their priestly life and ministry. It can also be a place for the sharing of ideas and information to become more effective ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please feel free to share your ideas and suggestions with the Ongoing Formation of Priests Committee. We can be reached by clicking HERE.

This document is the basic plan of ongoing formation for priests who count themselves among other believers but who also stand and serve in a unique way in the Church of Christ, conformed to Christ as his sacramental representatives in the presbyteral order. God invites them to transformation across their lifetime, and their formation is marked by constant elements at every stage of life. At the same time, there are specific formational challenges that emerge in particular seasons of their priestly ministry. Both the constant and the changing elements of formation are included in the basic plan.

For a complete copy of the Basic Plan for the Ongoing Formation of Priests, click HERE.