Dear Parishioners,

Today we hear about the personal encounter the Canaanite woman had with Jesus and we also celebrate all those who are preparing to encounter Jesus through the Sacraments of Holy Communion, Confirmation, and Baptism. We welcome you if you are new to St. Robert's or if you have been away from the church for a while. Welcome! You belong here. 

The personal encounter with Jesus is everything in our lives and, once we have encountered Jesus, we should make every decision based on the will of God in our lives. Indeed, we are preparing to go to heaven where we will have a personal relationship with God and be with Him forever.

However, as life goes on, sometimes we forget about our relationship with God, or maybe the relationship grows cold. Relationships need to be renewed through spending time together, which is why we come to Mass on Sundays and during the week and go on retreats - to strengthen our relationship with God. 

Starting August 29th - October 3rd I will be on a 30 day silent retreat to be with my Lord. Last October I asked Bishop Cahill for permission to go on a 30 day silent Ignatian retreat in 2024 and he encouraged me to take this retreat this year. It will be a great opportunity for me to look back on the past 36 years of my life as well as the past 10 years of my priesthood. It will be a time to look back and also to prepare for the next 10 years of priesthood and all that God will have in store for me as I do my best to live out this beautiful vocation. Please pray for me while I renew my relationship with God on retreat and be ready when I get back, because we are going to start running to heaven together while pulling El Campo along with us. 

I love you all very much and will dearly miss you, but we will be united in our prayers for each other as we encounter God together.

Buen Camino,
Fr. Philp