Q. What does it mean to glorify God in the Mass?
A. Throughout sacred scripture, the glory of God refers to God being shown as He truly is when he is manifested or revealed to the people. While there are so many examples of God’s glory in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ is God’s glory fully revealed. (“He who has seen me has seen the Father” [John 14:9]). In John’s Gospel, Jesus also refers to His crucifixion as the “hour” of His glory, when He is lifted up on his throne, the cross. On the cross, God reveals Himself as he truly is – eternal self-sacrificing love. Since the Mass is a re-presentation of Calvary we encounter this very self-sacrificing love at every Mass.
Having encountered God’s glory, the only fitting response is to join all the angels and saints in glorifying God! “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” To glorify him means to value Him highly, to exalt Him as our supreme treasure, and to magnify Him. When we glorify God we are recognizing who He really is and directing our minds, bodies and hearts in a way that shows it. So, all of our music, symbols, gestures, and words must reflect awe at having encountered the beauty, dignity, majesty, and mystery of God himself. And we rejoice at the privilege of joining the angels and saints in worshiping God in heaven, where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God the Father. “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth…”
This glorification is not just what we do, it is what God does. In the Mass we approach Calvary, where Jesus is lifted up on the cross. Also, the Father gives to us His Son in the Eucharist. The Father glorifies His Son through His self-sacrificial love as He is given to us as food and drink.
Finally, we note that the last instruction given to the faithful at Mass is “Go in Peace, Glorifying God by your life.” Having participated in Christ’s glory on the Cross, and having glorified the Lord with our worship, each person is sent to continue glorifying God through a life of virtue dedicated to Jesus and his Church.
Do you have a question about liturgy that you would like to have answered by the Liturgy Task Force? If so please submit it to Laura at Laura@st-bart.org with “Liturgical Question” in the subject line.
Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, September 27, 2021
8:00 AM Shotgun Start
Willowfork Country Club
Early bird entry open until July 15, 2021
Men's Discernment Retreat 2021
July 23-25 at St. Mary's Seminary
Young adult men ages 18-35 in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston are invited to explore seminary life and a possible call to the priesthood at this retreat, with opportunities for prayer and reflection. For more information, contact the Office of Vocations at 713-652-8239 or
vocations@archgh.org.
The web link to register is
https://cvent.me/0l7dQ1.
St. Bart’s Blood Drive
Sunday, July 25, 2021
10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The MD Anderson Blood Bank mobile donor coach will be parked by the Knights of Columbus hall that day.
Registration is required to donate blood. To register, please go to
tinyurl.com/stbarts0721.
Recommencing In-Person GriefShare(R) Program
The Grief Support Ministry provides those who are mourning and grieving the loss of a loved one an opportunity and a safe space to find healing and hope. If you have lost a loved one and need help and support through the grieving process, we are here for you.
St Bart's Grief Support Ministry will co-host and recommence the in-person GriefShare program at St Faustina's Catholic Church in Fulshear, TX, starting on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 7:00-8:30 PM in the Noah's Ark Room with the 'Loss of a Spouse' seminar. On August 5, the 13-week 'GriefShare Program' will commence, concluding with 'Surviving the Holidays' on November 11.
If you wish to register, please go to Griefshare.org, or if you prefer to speak with a facilitator from the Grief Support Ministry, please contact the parish offices:
St. Bart’s 281-391-4758 or St. Faustina 346-773-3500.
Sunday Morning Rosary in Spanish
Join us in praying the rosary in Spanish at 8:00 AM every Sunday in the prayer garden next to the rectory.
Sponsored by Emaus.
The Traveling Icons Are Back!
If you would like to have the Traveling Chalice or Holy Family Icon in your home for a week while you pray for vocations, check your calendar and sign up!
The English sign-ups for August are online at:
There are several spots still available!
We have just a few spots left in the 18-months-old class in our preschool for the 2021-2022 school year! Call us at 281-391-0993 for information and to begin registering your child.