Dear St. James Family,
I found myself in tears this morning when I learned about the death of our holy father, Pope Benedict XVI. He was a spiritual father to me. It was while he was serving as shepherd that I began seriously investigating the Church and became Catholic under his leadership. He was a spiritual father to many of you as well. If it was not for him, St. James and the Ordinariate would not exist. It is because of his generosity and pastoral care that this beautiful liturgy and structure now exist in the Church. We are so grateful to him. Like you, I have come closer to the Lord and to his people the Church, because of the faithfulness of this humble servant who died this morning.
Upon the death of a pope, his picture along with black bunting is to be displayed in the church, which we will be doing tomorrow at St. James. Come and be with us as we mourn together the death of our beloved spiritual father, Pope Benedict.
From the Chancellery (Diocesan Headquarters) upon the Death of Pope Benedict
Bishop Lopes will celebrate a requiem Mass Monday, January 2 at 6:30 PM in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Walsingham, Houston before leaving for Rome to attend the funeral.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI:
O God who hast made thy servant Benedict to flourish among the Ministers of Apostolic Succession, grant we beseech thee, that he may also be joined with them in a perpetual fellowship; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
“Quite soon, I shall find myself before the final judge of my life. Even though, as I look back on my long life, I can have great reason for fear and trembling, I am nonetheless of good cheer, for I trust firmly that the Lord is not only the just judge, but also the friend and brother who himself has already suffered for my shortcomings, and is thus also my advocate, my ‘Paraclete.’ In light of the hour of judgment, the grace of being a Christian becomes all the more clear to me. It grants me knowledge, and indeed friendship, with the judge of my life, and thus allows me to pass confidently through the dark door of death. In this regard, I am constantly reminded of what John tells us at the beginning of the Apocalypse: he sees the Son of Man in all his grandeur and falls at his feet as though dead. Yet he, placing his right hand on him, says to him: “Do not be afraid! It is I …” (cf. Rev 1:12-17).” – Benedict XVI
Faithfully, your pastor,
Father Mayer