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Apr 15, 2013 | Joyce Galiette

New Parish Reflects on Faithful Journey

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A sea of red--that’s how you might describe the nearly 150 members of St. Catherine of Sienna Episcopal Church in Missouri City--as we marched into the 164th Diocesan Council meeting on Saturday, February 9, to claim our parish status.  We proudly displayed our banner and sang Soldiers of the Savior, an original composition by our music minister, Barbara Vestal.  With smiles on our faces and joy in our hearts--we had waited nearly 14 years to reach parish status.  It was a glorious day.

 

Nearly two dozen people attended St. Catherine’s first worship service on the evening of Jul 3, 1999, at the Rev. Vincent Uher’s home in Sienna Plantation, in West Houston.  As our first vicar, he envisioned a community that would live into the “via media” theology of the Episcopal church and his love for music made that an integral part of worship from the start. And of course, hospitality followed!

 

The vitality of the new congregation was electric and contagious. After several weeks, we outgrew the vicarage and moved to the YMCA in Missouri City, putting up chairs each Sunday, taking them down each week.  Occasionally, when the Y was busy, we worshipped at someone’s home.  We were a “church on the run.” Long before the prevalence of email we used phone trees to announce our weekly location.

 

We found stability when we moved to a storefront on Cartwright Road in the Spring of 2000–an old Tuesday Morning location. We cleared out, cleaned, painted, and in time, created a respectful worship space. One member built a beautiful octagonal wood alter. Another painted “stained glass” windows on the wall.  Donated candle sticks, crosses and vestments from New York.

 

Our growing church continued to personify a welcoming church with heart.  Finally, in Aug 2006, we moved onto our beautiful 25-acre property in Sienna Plantation, with a large nave, sanctuary, four classrooms, a small kitchen and office space.

 

During our transition from home-based worship to our current facility, the people of St. Catherine’s demonstrated faithfulness and endurance. Among the many programs currently offered are ministries for the Good Samaritans, missions trips to the North American Indian Ministry, Nets for Life, Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry and also food to Ronald MacDonald House. St .Catherine’s School currently has 85 children, ages 2-5, enrolled and offers extended hours for those who need after care.

 

Missions receive financial support from the diocese and with our new parish status and financial independence, some changes will take place. Our priest is now the rector instead of the vicar. The governing board will now be a vestry, instead of the bishop’s committee. But the true excitement is that we, as a body of believers, are witness to the incredible strength, fortitude, determination and faithfulness of the people in this wonderful congregation.  St. Catherine of Sienna has had staying power in the face of adversity. We have been the “little engine that could” and we are ready to begin the next phase in the life in the body of Christ, sharing our light with those around us.