Beloved in Christ,

In the sacred words of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, we behold the Lord and Giver of Life entering the boat with His disciples. As the sea roared and the waves lifted themselves like mountains against the frail vessel, the Lord, though resting in His humanity, remained ever vigilant in His divinity. At the cry of His disciples, He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea—and there was a great calm.

This holy narrative is not only a sign of the authority of Christ over creation, but also a mirror of our own journey as the Church—His ark of salvation—sailing through the storms of this fallen world. At times, the waters rise and threaten to overwhelm, yet the Lord abides with us, never absent, always ready to speak peace to the troubled heart.

At St. Catherine of Alexandria Orthodox Mission in Lubbock, we are that little vessel upon the sea, striving to carry the light of Holy Orthodoxy into the heart of West Texas. Our mission, humble yet filled with fervent faith, continues to grow by God’s mercy and your generosity. As the disciples called upon Christ in their moment of distress, so we also lift up our voices to the faithful, asking for your continued support, that this holy work may endure and flourish.

To those who have already offered gifts of love and sacrifice, we bow our heads in gratitude. May the Lord reward your charity with the hundredfold blessings of the Kingdom, and may the prayers of the holy Great-Martyr and Philosopher Catherine, our intercessor and protectress, strengthen you in every good work.

Yet the journey is not yet complete. The winds have not fully calmed. The labor continues. We call upon you once more—brothers and sisters in Christ—to help sustain and build this vineyard of the Lord. Whether your gift is large or small, it is received as an offering to Christ Himself, who says: “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

Let us not allow this sacred vessel to drift or falter, but together, let us row with prayer, with hope, and with love—until the harbor of peace is reached.

In the grace of the Risen Christ,

St. Catherine of Alexandria Orthodox Mission

Lubbock, Texas

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

As we celebrate this season of Thanksgiving, we give glory to God for each of you—our cherished donors and benefactors—who have supported our mission through our GiveSendGo campaign.

Your generosity is a living testimony to the love of Christ and the unity of His Body. Through your prayers and gifts, you are helping to build up the Church and extend the light of the Resurrection to those in need.

The Holy Scriptures remind us:

“Honor the Lord with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9, LXX)

You have done just that—offering from your hearts and resources to glorify God and bless others.

And again:

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and shout joyfully to Him with psalms.” (Psalm 94:2, LXX)

We offer prayers of thanksgiving for you, asking that our Risen Lord richly bless you and your loved ones, granting peace, health, and every spiritual gift from above.

May the joy of the Resurrection continue to fill your homes, not just in this season, but always.

The Rector of St Catherine Mission

Dear beloved friends,

“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” – Matthew 2:2

As we approach the celebration of the joyous Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we reflect on the journey of the wise men who followed the star with faith and love, bringing gifts to honour the newborn King. Their gifts were not just treasures but symbols of devotion and hope, much like the gifts you continue to provide to support the mission of Saint Catherine.

Your generosity is a light in the lives of those we serve, a reflection of the love of Christ shining brightly in the world. For all you have done, we are deeply grateful. Your support has helped us extend Christ’s message of hope and salvation to those in need, bringing comfort, care, and spiritual nourishment.

As we rejoice in the birth of Christ, we humbly invite you to continue this journey with us. Your ongoing support is vital in ensuring that the mission can grow and flourish, touching the hearts of many more in the coming year.

May the blessings of Christmas fill your hearts with peace, joy, and love, and may the New Year bring abundant grace and fulfillment to you and your families.

Thank you for walking with us in faith and service. Together, we can continue to follow the star of Christ, spreading His light to every corner of the world.

Wishing you a blessed Christmas Feast and a Happy New Year!

With love in Christ who is born,

Fr Alexander Cordos and staff of Saint Catherine Mission