Keep us, O God, from all pettiness. Let us be large in thought, in word, in deed. let us be done with fault-finding and leave off all self-seeking. May we put away all pretense and meet each other face to face, without self pity and without prejudice. may we never be hasty in judgment, and always be generous. let us always take time for all things, and make us to grow calm, serene and gentle. Teach us to put into action our better impulses, to be straightforward and unafraid. Grant that we may realize that it is the little things of life that create differences, that in the big things of life, we are as one. And, O Lord God, let us not forget to be kind!

Amen.

We invite all parishioners (men, women and children) to join and support the Altar Society.  Annual dues are $10.00 and we meet quarterly on the third Tuesday of the month.  A memorial Mass for all members is offered once a month during the year and is posted in the parish bulletin. 
 
The Altar Society is responsible for keeping the church clean and decorated, polishing altar vessels, maintaining items used for Masses, furnishing certain cleaning supplies, and many of the items required for the altar and the priest’s attire. 
 
One of our major duties is to see that our altar is always properly decorated for every weekend service and for particular seasons of the year.  Flower arrangements are the traditional way to decorate the altar for all Masses, except during Lent and Advent. 
 
Anyone is welcome to furnish flowers for a particular date and should contact Mrs. Lockley at 979-533-4081 in advance to reserve a date.  If you provide flowers for a special occasion during Lent or Advent, they must be removed immediately after that Mass.  Anyone donating flowers for a Mass during the regular calendar year, may pick up their arrangement after the last Sunday Mass or they may be left in the church.
 
Due to age and normal wear, some of our Mass items need replacement throughout the year.  Anyone wishing to donate toward the purchase of a special item may do so by also calling Mrs. Lockley or any of the officers.
 
The cleaning of the church is done by volunteer teams of 3 or 4 persons.  Teams are scheduled for one month of the year to come in once a week (on a day they choose) to perform their duties. These duties include: dusting pews, vacuuming altar/day chapel carpets, dust mopping the floor, washing holy water fonts and refilling, cleaning choir loft and discarding flower arrangements. Any church member or group is welcome and encouraged to volunteer for this committee.  Please contact Pat Abbott at 532-5844 to sign up for a month.   
 
The Altar Society sincerely appreciates all the volunteer service and generous donations that enable us to maintain Our Lord’s house in a most appropriate way.
 
Sincerely,
 
Bitsy Lockley
 
Committee Chairs:

• Flowers & Easter decorating – Bitsy Lockley
• Christmas decorating - Lorna Kaiser  
• Cleaning teams - Pat Abbott, 532-5844