September 17, 2023
Dear Family and Friends!
It has been a little while since I have written to y’all…but I have a lot of great things to share since my last newsletter, and I can’t wait to do so! The Lord has been so good (as usual) and has graced me with many new experiences of His love and goodness!
I will follow the normal format of my newsletters sharing some important events that have happened and/or will be happening in the coming future, recounting a story from the past several months, giving a more personal sharing from my heart, and offering you a way to support me by taking into your own time with the Lord some of my personal prayer intentions.
Important Events
May – June: I assisted at the Summer Program for Seminarians put on by the Institute for Priestly Formation (IPF) and I got to participate in their 8-day silent retreat as well: many incredible graces received in those days of silence.
June – I got to spend 2 weeks at home in Hallettsville as well as with my brother and his family in Flower Mound. Nothing like some time in the country (with puppies!) and bonding time with the niece and nephew (who are growing so fast!!).
July – I spent a month in Italy (Rome and Assisi) and it did my heart such good to return to a place that is so dear to me!
July 29 – the new church of St. Mary’s Catholic Center in College Station was dedicated and I got to participate in the Mass. It was a beautiful experience of which I will share more in “Story Time”.
August 26 – our Texas house is now home to SIX Apostles this year and we will all be together starting this day. Our Sisters are: me, Sr. Clara, Sr. Raffaella, Sr. Kalin, Sr. Ruth, and (after 2 years in Rome) Sr. Tatum! We are excited for a new pastoral year and a full house.
Story Time
It was about two decades in the making…living in the minds and hearts of pastors, associates, staff, and permanent parishioners. Plans had been drawn, scrapped, redrawn, scrapped, and then redrawn again. Money was being funded, a final architect and building company hired, and the dream seemed to slowly but surely take shape into reality.
The historic groundbreaking happened in May of 2021.
The impressive dome was put in place in March of 2022.
Our Lady of Victory was secured on top of that same dome in June of 2023.
And then…this magnificent structure became a church on July 29, 2023.
We all excitingly waited in the various “holding pens” of the St. Mary’s Campus: permanent parishioners in the “old church”; benefactors and guests in the JPII Event Center; students under the outdoor tents; bishops, priests, seminarians, and servers all in their designated vesting areas. As 10 am approached we began to process out quietly to Nagel street, blocked off by police for the occasion. We stood in silence looking up at the impressive structure, taking in its size, and admiring its beauty. Before us, the words that would greet every guest of the new church from that day forward: Behold, I make all things new.
The Procession officially began as the many priests, seminarians, servers, and bishops made their way to the entrance of the church. The construction company handed off the keys to Bishop Joe Vasquez (Diocese of Austin) who, in turn, handed them off to St. Mary’s pastor, Fr. Will Straten. We all entered into the dark church – no lights were turned on as a symbol that Christ’s light had not yet entered into it. The Mass commenced with great solemnity and an atmosphere of immense joy. All joined in the familiar mass parts led by the choir of students who gave up part of their summer to participate in this event.
After the Liturgy of the Word and the homily, we entered into a very particular part of the dedication Mass – something I had never witnessed before. The relics of three saints (Pope Saint John Paul II, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, and Saint Jose Sanchez del Rio) were reverently and permanently placed under the altar. Bishop Joe generously poured chrism oil all over the marble altar in order to consecrate it as a worthy place for the celebration of the Eucharistic feast. That same chrism oil was then place on 12 columns throughout the church by former pastors, and now bishops, David Konderla (Tulsa, OK) and Mike Sis (San Angelo, TX), as well as Bishop Joe and Fr. Will. Only then were the lights turned on and did we all experience the collective intake of breath at the vibrancy of the colors on the walls and the intensity of the gold throughout the interior of the church. The celebration of the Liturgy of the Eucharist meant that Christ, for the first time in His Eucharistic presence, was there in that space, and we, as a congregation gathered that day, were able to profess our faith and our desire to be united as a community by partaking of the same feast and truly “making” communion.
After the various “thank you’s” were said, the blessing was given, and the last songs sung many lingered in the church, soaking it all in, taking pictures, and basking in the gift of participating in that great event. We were all one family rejoicing together for a place we could together call “home”…a place that would never be the same after that day’s celebration. And just as it was with the words of Jesus that we were greeted upon our entrance, it was His words that sent us on our way also: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…
Inside the New Church after the Dedication Mass
To watch a video of the dedication Mass click on this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxSGo_FQqJk
To see a digital 3D rendering of the Church go to this link:
https://www.aggiecatholic.org/tour
Where is my heart?
Part of the reason that I have taken so long to get this newsletter out, is the “busy-ness” of this season of life. It is my first “second year” in Campus Ministry, and I must say, I underestimated the reality of returning and starting a new year. So many outreach events in which to remember old faces and learn new ones. Lots of “totally new” amidst the “already familiar”. The original sensation of adventure and discovery has dimmed to a more normal dosage. The reality of adulthood and responsibility is ever more apparent and felt...
…And in all of this my heart is both ‘scattered’ and ‘gathered’. Some days I feel like so much is happening (both externally and internally) that I will never be able to catch up, much less keep up! Other days I am more centered and stable: both feet firmly planted in the here and now. But I can honestly say that all days, even those more ‘scattered’ than ‘gathered’, I am the blissfully unworthy beneficiary of the Lord’s constant presence.
When I sway back and forth, He is unwavering. When I am confused, He is certain. When I know not where to turn, He places Himself right in my eyesight. When all is good, He makes it even sweeter.
Currently my heart is immersed in this mystery, the mystery of the love of a God who was, is, and ever shall be. And being a mystery, there are so few words to give voice to the experience. I’m not always interested in it. Some days I prefer to sulk in whatever is keeping me most ‘scattered’. But when I do let Him in, and when I do allow myself to remember who He is for me and who I am for Him…I am all of a sudden (why does it still surprise me?) ‘gathered’ up in His infinite love. It usually doesn’t change what is externally happening: the stressful responsibilities are still there; the difficult situations are not yet resolved. And even the internal struggles may even remain. But a new light and peace enter into my heart. I am caught up in a momentary stillness and quiet, in which I can just be and know that I am loved. This brief moment, sometimes lasting even just seconds, contains a truth and a promise: I am with you. You are Mine.
An epic gelato run on my last night in Rome this summer!
Thank you to our benefactors!!
Saying bye to my beloved Rome before returning to my beloved Texas!
Prayer Intentions
Our new household of 6 sisters as we seek to live in unity and mutual love, as well as dedicate ourselves fully to the mission entrusted to us.
The students of Texas A&M, Blinn, and Rellis that we serve at St. Mary’s Catholic Center: that they find a home in Christ and in the Church during their years of study here.
Our 4 women in formation in Rome: that they continue to be open to how the Lord desires to walk with them in this period of life.
Our 2 women in discernment here in Texas: that they, too, are open to God’s love so as to recognize through what way of life He is calling them to love Him back.
My family: their health and intentions.
My friend Alycia and her husband Elvi as they welcome their first born son this November.
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| Snagging a selfie with my niece, Emma Kate, on the last day of my visit! |
United always in Him,
Sr. Cherise
