Christ Our Light Catholic Church is committed to the spiritual growth of our parish community in the fullness of the Catholic Faith by living the Gospel, celebrating the Sacraments, and serving our neighbors.

Welcome to Christ Our Light Catholic Church (Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston). If you are interested in making Christ Our Light your home parish, we welcome you and invite you to come to talk to Fr. Eli.  All are welcome!

La Iglesia Católica Cristo Nuestra Luz está comprometida con el crecimiento espiritual de nuestra comunidad parroquial en la plenitud de la fe católica al vivir el Evangelio, celebrar los sacramentos y servir a nuestros vecinos.

Are you considering coming back to the Catholic Church?

WELCOME HOME!

Dear Parishioners,
 

Thank you so much for your patience and prayers as we prepare to open the church back up for public liturgies. As of this week Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, has granted us permission to begin the reopening of public Masses! However, there is no obligation to attend Mass in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston during the pandemic. The Sunday obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days continues to be suspended. I encourage the most vulnerable to remain home. (especially those 65 years and older with underlying health issues)
 
Our first public Mass at Christ Our Light will be Tuesday May 12th at 6:00 p.m. 
Our regular Sunday schedule will begin on Saturday May 16th with the 6:00 p.m. Vigil Mass and Sunday May 17th 8:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. 
 
This is part of Phase 1 of our parish reopening and will have many new protocols that all parishioners must follow to attend Mass. These procedures will be reevaluated weekly. If you would like to attend Mass, please read through this message, and thank you for your patience and compliance.
 
CAPACITY
-For now, Masses will be limited to 25% capacity across the Archdiocese. For Christ Our Light, that equates to 125 people in our sanctuary per Mass.
-To accommodate all our parishioners for Sunday Masses, parishioners are encouraged to attend throughout the week, and or continue to stay home and watch a Mass on television or social media. (especially those 65 years and older with underlying health issues)
 
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
-Wash your hands.
-For ages 10 and up, face coverings are required on our campus and for the duration of Mass.
-The cry room is closed.
-Bring your own hand sanitizer that can be used before receiving Holy Communion.
-If you have Clorox wipes, please bring from home and after Mass wipe down your pew section. (As you know, supplies are hard to come by right now. This will help us tremendously)
-Do Not bring items that contain bleach into the sanctuary as this will damage the pews.
 
ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
-All people (ages 10+) coming into the church, including clergy and staff, should wear masks to cover your nose and mouth. Masks should be worn as soon as you exit your vehicle.
-Arrive early for Mass
-Social distancing (a minimum distance of six feet) must be maintained between groups and individuals that are not of the same household. 
-The church will be seated to fill the open pews from front to back.
-Every other pew will be closed and marked by blue tape. You may be sharing a pew with another household, but social distance is required between the households (6ft).
-The pews on Father’s left (behind altar servers) will be reserved for the elderly and handicap.
-The holy water fonts remain empty.
 
MASS PROCEDURES
-Masses will be conducted by reduced volunteer lay ministers. There will be no Eucharistic ministers or choir members.
-Communion will be distributed by clergy only.
-Please keep your face mask on for the duration of Mass.
-There is to be no physical contact between different households at the Sign of Peace or hand holding during the Lord's Prayer.
-Baskets will not be passed during the offertory. You will be able to place your weekly gift in a basket in front of the altar before or after Mass. I strongly encourage online giving through Parish Soft or continue to mail in or drop off your weekly offering.
 
COMMUNION PROCEDURES
-Cardinal DiNardo has mandated that communion is not offered on the tongue for the time being. Therefore, hold out your hand so that the host can be lightly placed onto the palm without having to touch hands.
-The precious blood will not be offered to the congregation.
-Use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly encouraged.
-The Eucharist will be distributed first to the Elderly and handicap.
-There will be a single communion line in the center aisle. The ushers will assist in ushering each pew.
-Masks should be worn in the communion line. After the priest/deacon offers you communion please step to the side, remove your mask, consume the Eucharist, and then re-mask as you head back to your pew.
 
DEPARTURE PROCEDURES
-After the final blessing, parishioners must remain in their pew.
-Pews will be dismissed in an orderly fashion starting in the rear of the church and then moving forward. This will be like how you exit an airplane.
-You must exit your pew when prompted. Private prayer is not available after Sunday Masses to allow the church to be cleaned and ready for the next Mass.
-All exits of the of the church will be utilized during departure.
-Clergy will not shake hands after Mass. They will wave as you exit.
-Please do not congregate outside but head directly to your vehicle to allow the next Mass to start on time.
 
CHURCH CLEANING PROCEDURES
-We will continue to implement cleanliness and sanitization practices, including disinfecting pews between every Mass.
-Disinfecting bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces occur throughout the day.
-Lay ministers will be required to wear face masks, wash hands, and will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.
-You are reminded to follow CDC recommendations regarding your own health. If you fall into an "at risk" category, please stay home. 
-As you can see, liturgy is our main priority at this time.
-Confessions remain available Monday-Saturday by appointment only.
-Private prayer in the church is available 7 days a week 9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.
-Any weddings and funerals that are scheduled would adhere to the above protocol.
 
Additional information will be forthcoming regarding Christ Our Light’s plan for the celebration of other sacraments of initiation (Baptisms, First Communions, Confirmation).
 
As you can see, we need your patience and assistance. Continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us during this unprecedented and challenging time. Again, thank you for your patience and support. 
 
In Christ,
Your Pastor, Fr. Eli Lopez
 

Sign Up for Christ Our Light Online Giving Now!
 
Christ Our Light now accepts online giving.  Parish SOFT is our parish's online giving program.  Enroll at the link below and automatic online giving will be set up for you. It is secure and easy to use.  You will be able to use Parish SOFT for normal tithing and special collections throughout the year.  Apps are available, so your cell phones/tablets can be used for online giving also.  Click the link below and begin your online giving to Christ Our Light now.
 
https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/chri510191
 

Click on the image below for a reflection on Today's Saint.