Looking Back: 2017

Christmas 2017
 

"And she brought forth her firstborn Son and
wrapped Him up in swaddling clothes, and
laid Him in a manger ....”,
                           ~Gospel at Midnight Mass

A cold clear night in Houston. As midnight neared and the city slept, faithful opened the doors of Regina Caeli Parish to warmth, organ music, Christmas flowers, and a manger scene ready for the birth of Christ. At the last Gospel, the lights of the chapel were gradually dimmed so that the darkness of night came inside. Fr. Van Vliet laid the Infant Christ in the manger as the faithful sang "Silent Night" accompanied by the organ.

The Ontario apostolate gifted us the organ before we moved onto the property, but it required re-assembly and repair to set up in the chapel. One family in particular worked with Fr. Van Vliet to restore the organ in time for Christmas.

In their respective homilies at the Masses on Christmas Day, both priests expressed gratitude for all the prayers, sacrifices, hard work and financial commitments of the faithful. 

Photo Albums: 2017 Christmas
 

Fall 2017

Our First Rorate Mass
December 16, 2017

"Rorate, caeli, desuper,
et nubes pluant justum ….”,
                           ~Introit, Mass of the BVM at Advent

On December 16 at 6;30 a.m., Regina Caeli celebrated its first Rorate Mass in honor of Our Lady. Fr. Houck was celebrant and in his sermon, he spoke of the specialness of the Rorate Mass. The dark night that surrounds us reminds us of the darkness of the world without our Savior. The day being Saturday reminds us of that Holy Saturday when no one but Our Lady believed in the promised resurrection to come. The candlelit church, the sole light in the dark, is like the womb of Our Blessed Mother as she carried the Light of the World.

Photo Albums: 2017 Rorate Mass
 

CCD Children Lead Faithful in Song
December 10, 2017

The feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 8 and 12, were celebrated after the Sunday High Mass on Dec. 10. CCD children led the faithful in singing the recessional hymn "Immaculate Mary". Afterwards there was a delicious Mexican reception in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
 

Sung Requiem Mass for
Deceased FSSP & Benefactors
November 6, 2017

"Pie Jesu Domine,
dona eis requiem. Amen."
                           ~Dies Irae

On November 5 of each year, every Fraternity priest says a Requiem Mass for deceased members of both the FSSP and the Confraternity of St. Peter and also departed benefactors. Since November 5 fell on a Sunday this year, the Masses were held on the following Monday. Unbleached wax candles are used in Masses for the dead. In cases where there is no casket, a catafalque may be used. Fr. Van Vliet celebrated a Low Mass at 6:30 a.m. and Fr. Houck celebrated the evening Sung Mass.

Photo Albums: 2017 FSSP Annual Requiem Mass


Saints Everywhere!
Our First All Satints Festival
November 5, 2017

"Omnes Sancti et Sanctae Dei,
intercedite pro nobis ...."
                           ~Litany of the Saints

Some mothers in the parish kicked around the idea of an All Saints Festival. The more they talked, the more enthusiasiasm rose, so that by October, they were ready to discuss plans with Fr. Van Vliet. Excitement within the parish continued to build as games and layout of the grounds were finalized, a barbeque grill borrowed, and prizes donated. By November 5, everyone was in a festive mood, most especially the children. Dressed as their favorite saints, the children joined Fr. Van Vliet in reciting the first section of the LItany of the Saints after Mass, then bolted to the booths for fun and games!

Photo Albums: 2017 All Saints Festival

Our One-Year Anniversary on the Property
Feast of Christ the King
October 29, 2017

St. Athanasius
"Veritable pillar of orthodoxy"
                           ~Quoted from Daniel Cardinal DiNardo

One year ago, on October 29, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo blessed St. Athanasius Chapel Hall and Regina Caeli Parish officially began operating on its own property. At that time, the chapel hall was substantially complete, but additional interior work continued for several months thereafter. In the ensuing months, parishioners raised funds to purchase a statue of St. Athanasius. Unveiled on our anniversary, along with two plaques honoring donors, the statue was blessed by Fr. Van Vliet. Now St. Athanasius greets all who enter the building. This day was also the official end of our first capital campaign and Father announced that the interim construction loan was fully paid. A celebration reception followed.



Two Processions to Honor Our Blessed Mother
Our Lady of the Rosary
Our Lady of Fatima
October 7 and 13, 2017

"Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus,
nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae"
                           ~Hail Mary in Latin

 
Above: Day rosary procession in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary, Oct. 7
Below: Evening rosary procession in honor of Our Lady of Fatima, Oct. 13.

October 7 was a sunny morning, perfect for the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. The parish celebrated with a sung Mass and rosary procession, followed by a breakfast reception. October 13 was the 100th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun and last apparition of  Our Lady in Fatima, Portugal. The parish held an evening High Mass and rosary procession. Both celebrations reminded us of the power of the rosary, the need for reparations and conversion, and the love of Christ and Our Lady for the lost sheep and for all of us in this valley of tears. "Illos tuos misericordes oculos ad nos converte."

Photo Albums:
Our Lady of the Rosary, Oct. 7, 2017
100th Anniversary of Fatima, Oct. 13, 2017


Summer 2017

Unwelcome Visitor: Hurricane Harvey
August 25-31, 2017

August 25, Hurricane Harvey hit Port Aransas as a Category 4 hurricane and the next day, moved to Houston, remaining for four rain-soaked days. Total rainfall hit 52", a record for a single storm in the continental U.S. and more than one year's rainfall in Harris County. On August 29, Harvey moved on to Port Arthur and Beaumont, flooding those areas and leaving them without drinking water. Harvey was a 1-in-1,000 years event and it devastated major areas in East Texas. Flood waters overwhelmed bayous and reservoirs, causing secondary flooding for two weeks. Regina Caeli Parish suffered minimal damage - a small leak in the roof, but some in the parish were not as fortunate. 
 

Visit of the Centennial Pilgrim
Image of Our Lady of Fatima
July 10-11, 2017

"God's Mother victorious,
our praises receive ...."
                           ~Lourdes Pilgim Song

On the evening of July 10, over 300 faithful greeted the Pilgrim Image of Our Lady of Fatima, one of the six statues blessed by Pope Francis on January 11, 2017 to promote prayer and reparation on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima. Her message of prayer, reparations and holiness remains relevant today and is the answer to the evils that beset our culture and the world.

After she was carried into the church, Our Lady was re-crowned by Fr. Van Vliet. A votive Mass of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was celebrated by Fr. Houck, followed by a Rosary Procession and presentation of flowers to our Blessed Mother. An overnight vigil before the Blessed Sacrament ended the next day with a noon votive Mass of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Both days, faithful had the opportuinity to enroll in the Brown Scapular. 

Photo Albums: Visit of Image of Our Lady of Fatima, July 2017
 

The First Wedding at the Church!
June 23

Congratulations to Catherine Hand and Garath Fulks!

Corpus Christi Processions
Corpus Christi, June 15, 2017
 External Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 18, 2017

"Jesu, quem velatum nunc aspicio ...."
                           ~Adoro te Devote, hymn

 

The parish celebrated Corpus Chrisit with processions on the feast day, June 15, and the following Sunday. Fr. Van Vliet was at FSSP retreat in Nebraska that week, but returned in time for the External Solemnity of the feast. This was the first time we carried candles during a Corpus Christi procession and, of course, the first Corpus Christi processions on the property. Coincidentally, June 15 was also the 21st anniversary of Fr. Van Vliet's ordination to the priesthood and June 18 was Father's Day. We celebrated all three events with a cake reception after the High Mass on Sunday.

Photo Albums:
Corpus Christi, June 15, 2017
External Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 2017


May 2017

Mini-Mission with Fr. Tuscan, OFM Cap
May 29-31, 2017

"Fac me tecum pie flere,
Crucifixio condolere ...."
                           ~Stabat Mater

May opened with the Crowning of Mary and a visit from Fr. Berg, Superior General of the FSSP, and ended with a celebration of the Queenship of Mary and a visit from Fr. Tuscan, OFM Cap. Fr. Tuscan, a Capuchin, came to bless our newly installed outdoor Stations of the Cross and preach a mini-mission that prepared us for the joyous feast day by giving us a deeper appreciation of the role of our Blessed Mother, Regina Caeli, in salvation history and in each of our lives.

During the mini-mission, Fr. Tuscan spoke of St. Francis and his burning love of souls, even to the extent of jeopardizing his life to bring others into the Faith, and of Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey, a humble friar in Detroit, who was not given all the faculties normally associated with a priest and yet was a great spiritual advisor. He explained that Our Lady was the first to mediate on the Via Dolorosa; the Franciscans institutionalized the tradition as well as several others, such as the prayer that eventually became the second part of the Hail Mary. Our Blessed Mother teaches us, St. Francis teaches us, Blessed Solanus teaches us to love the soul, love the sinner, hate the sin. Stand up to evil and take heart in Mary and her promise that, in the end, "My Immaculate Heart will triumph".

Photo Albums: May 2017 Mini-Mission

To read about Fr. Tuscan, OFM Cap, click here.
 

Let's Celebrate Fr. Houck Days!
May 25 and 28

Fr. Houck left for Nebraska the day before his birthday to participate in the FSSP priestly ordinations, but returned in time to celebrate his first anniversary as a priest with the parish. Congratulations, Fr. Houck!

First Communion
May 14, 2017

"Corpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam tuam ...."
                           ~Priest prayer, Holy Communion

A glorious Mother's Day! The parish joined in the infectious joy of the First Communicants and their parents on this Fourth Sunday after Easter. In his sermon, Fr. Van Vliet discussed the proper disposition for receiving Holy Communion and reminded us that the more we know the Lord, the more we can love Him. The more we know and love Him, the more we begin to comprehend the incomprehensible mystery of Holy Communion. Congratulations to Clay, Jack, John, Lauren, Lilli, Matthew, Maximus, Nicolas and Olivia!

Photo Albums: First Communion 2017


May Crowning with Fr. Berg
May 7, 2017 

"Mater amata, intemerata,
Ora, ora pro nobis!"
                           ~ Hymn, O Sanctissima

Flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere! Over 350 faithful joined the procession to honor Our Lady with flowers and a crown. Our soon-to-be First Communicants led the faithful and, after all the flowers had been placed at her foot, Fr. John Berg, Superior General of the FSSP, blessed the statue and crown. Assisted by her father, a little girl placed the crown upon our Blessed Mother’s head as her sister had done five years ago, when Fr. Berg had last presided over a May Crowning at our parish.

This was Fr. Berg’s first visit to the parish since our move to the property. In his sermon, he expressed great joy to be in Houston and in our new home. He admitted there were times that he had doubts that this project would come to fruition because of the many hurdles and barriers that blocked the way. The fact that it did happen should make us very proud. He thanked all involved: Cardinal DiNardo for his invitation to the Fraternity and constant support, Fr. Lockey for giving us a temporary home and a means of conserving funds for the project, and most of all, Fr. Van Vliet, without whom we would not be here in this chapel hall, and the faithful who offered great and many sacrifices on behalf of the parish.

Each time Fr. Berg has visited, volunteers were working at the property and this weekend was no exception. During the week and on Saturday, outdoor Stations of the Cross were being built and installed for blessing later this month. Fr. Berg had a chance to visit with the faithful on Sunday at receptions after the morning Masses and meet many new faces and families. He enjoyed hearing the stories of how they came to find Regina Caeli and the Traditional Mass.

Photo Albums: May Crowning 2017
 

Soon-to-Be First Communicants
Tour Sacristy and Altar
April 29, 2017

Holy Week 2017
April 9-16

"Christus heri et hodie;
Principium et Finis;
Alpha et Omega."
                           ~ Blessing of the Paschal Candle

Our first Holy Week on the property and the building was busy with preparatory work. The altar servers and schola held additional practices while the Altar Society and families who help clean worked extra hours to make sure the chapel was ready for the solemn events about to take place. By the time Holy Week started, Fr. Van Vliet and the men had completed several of the ongoing interior projects for the chapel, adding railing in front of the baptismal font, soundproofing and modifying the confessionals, installing tabernacles on the side altars, and replacing the existing tabernacle on the main altar with a larger one obtained from the seminary in Lincoln. Rev. Mr. Stephen Braun, ordained a deacon on March 25, was in town to visit family and assisted in the Solemn Masses during this week. Fr. Van Vliet chose a St. Peter Paschal Candle for our parish. It depicts the papal keys and upside down cross of St. Peter, patron of the Fraternity. 

On Easter Sunday, Fr. Van Vliet expressed his deepest appreciation to the faithful for all their efforts, donations and prayers that have allowed us to celebrate the greatest liturgical event of the Church in our own home. May the Risen Christ bless you all! Happy Easter!

Photo Albums:
Palm Sunday 2017
Holy Thursday 2017
Good Friday 2017
Easter Vigil 2017
Easter 2017

Winter 2017

St. Joseph Altar
Feast of St. Joseph, March 20 (transferred)

The First Days of Lent
March 1-5
 

"Memento, homo, quia pulvis es,
et in pulverem reverteris."
                           ~ Words spoken by priest

In preparation for Lent, the parish held continuous adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, beginning after the end of the Sunday HIgh Mass on February 26 and ending before the start of the evening Mass on February 27 (see photo below). On Ash Wednesday, at the dawn Mass, Fr. Van Vliet addressed the purpose of fasting for the spiritual life and reminded us that the Lenten practices we choose are our own penances and not sacrifices for others around us to bear. Fr. Houck, in the evening Mass, explained true sorrow for one's sins as it relates to the sacrament of confession.

On Friday evening, parishioners gathered to recite the Stations of the Cross, and this devotion will continue throughout Lent. At the request of the faithful, a 5:30 p.m. Mass was added to the Sunday schedule, beginning with the First Sunday of Lent. Vespers followed this Mass during Lent.

Photo Albums: First Days of Lent 2017

 

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
February 26, 11 a.m. to February 27, 7 p.m.


The Sunday and Monday before Ash Wednesday; in preparation for Lent



Kolbe Center Presentation on Creation
February 20 

Presenter: Hugh Owen, Founder and Director of the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation


Receiving First Blessing from Fr. Houck
February 12
 

This blessing can only be offered in the first year of priesthood.
Click here to learn more about the blessing.

Candlemas, Feb.2
Feast of St. Blaise, Feb. 3

"Domine Jesu Christe, lux vera ... effunde benedictionem
tuam super hos cereos, et sanctifica eos lumine gratiae tuae ...."
                           ~ Third Prayer, blessing of candles


 Kissing the blessed candle offered by the priest

The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on February 2 and, at the High Mass, the priest blesses the candles to be used throughout the liturgical year. Immediately following the blessing, candles are lit and the priest and faithful proceed into the dark night, singing antiphons. Returning to the church, the faithful hold the candles as Mass begins, not extinguishing them until the sermon. The many candles, with their soft lights illuminating the faces of young and old, give visual context to the words of Simeon read in today’s Gospel that Christ is the “light to the revelation of the Gentiles”. How appropriate, then, that the candles are re-lit at the Canon, when Our Lord comes to us!.

Made solely from beeswax, candles used in the liturgy are rich in symbolism. The beeswax represents the pure flesh of Christ received from His Virgin Mother; the wick, His soul; the flame, His Divinity. The faithful may bring candles to be used for devotional purposes at home for the blessing ceremony, and these candles are traditionally at least 51% beeswax.

The next day celebrates the feast of St. Blaise. On that day and the following Sunday (Feb. 5 this year), throats are blessed, invoking the intercession of the holy bishop. Captured by soldiers and en route to his eventual martyrdom, the physician bishop healed a lad who was dying from a fishbone caught in his throat. 

Photo Albums: Candlemas & St. Blaise 2017

Epiphany 2017

"May this ... become an agent of divine grace ...
to drive away evil spirits and dispel sickness ...."
                           ~ Blessing of the Epiphany Water

  

"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and by His power, we cast you out, every unclean spirit, every devilish power, every assualt of the infernal adversary, every legion, every diabolical group and sect; begone ...." So Fr. Houck chanted as he exorcised the salt and water on the eve of the Epiphany. In the photo above, containers brought by the faithful line the table in front of the holy wanter tank. After exorcising the salt and water, Fr. Houck placed salt crystals in each of the vessels. 

The homes of many of the faithful received Epiphany blessings, led either by the priests or the head of the household. The prayer is the same, but the home is incensed if the priest is present. The blessing invokes the memory of the Magi and their initials are placed on the door lintel.

   

Photo Albums: Epiphany 2017

To read about the home blessings: Blessing of Epiphany Water and Homes