The Assumption

This Saturday the Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — the day Mary was taken body and soul into heaven. Because the feast falls on a Saturday this year, the obligation to attend Mass is lifted, but the invitation remains. For many of you it lands right in the first week of your new school year. Before the routines have fully set, before the year has found its rhythm, the Church asks you to stop and look up. Mary's Assumption tells us where all of this is headed. Every lesson, every prayer, every hard day at the kitchen table is ordered toward heaven. She got there first. She is waiting for us. Consider attending Mass on Saturday. Light a candle. Ask for her intercession over the year ahead.

"My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." — Luke 1:46–47

Fall Excursions with CHECH

This fall we're taking CHECH families on the road. Four group outings, each one better with a crowd:

Pleasure Pier Excursion — September 18 in Galveston. Donuts at Menard Park, then a full day at the Pier for Homeschool Day. No cost to RSVP, Pier tickets purchased separately. Open to all families. RSVP by September 17.

The Sound of Music at the Hobby Center — September 30. An evening at the theater with CHECH families. Balcony seats at half price, $52/seat. RSVP by September 10.

HMNS Fetal Pig Dissection Lab — October 30. A two-hour hands-on dissection lab for 7th–12th graders. $25/student. RSVP by October 28.

Dewberry Farm Christmas Excursion — December 16 in Brookshire. An Advent day on the farm. $15/person. RSVP by November 10.

Members register first. Non-members may sign up if spots remain closer to the event date. See all excursions and register on the enrichments page.

Make Time for This

A monthly challenge for your family

Have a family game night. Pull out the cards, the board games, the dice. No screens. Let the kids pick. Let it get loud.  The school year just started and everyone is adjusting. Before the routines harden, make a memory that has nothing to do with a lesson plan.

Upcoming in Houston

Familia Sancta — Shrine of the True Cross, Dickinson | A homeschool-friendly parish packed with events this fall — Latin Masses, processions, Mercy Nights, Mom's Book Swap, sacred music, and more | Flyer

Homeschool Archery Practice & Tryout — Long Acres Ranch | Ages 9+ entering 4th grade | Practice: Tuesdays in September (1, 8, 15, 22) 2:30–4:00 p.m. (mandatory for tryouts) | Tryout: Tuesday, September 28, 2:00–4:00 p.m. | Registration opens August 15 | Richmond | Flyer

BASF Kids' Labs — Children's Museum Houston | Fridays through September 4 | 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. sessions | Hands-on science labs: Discovering DNA (Aug 14), Sink or Float (Aug 21), What's That Reaction? (Aug 28), Water Filtration (Sept 4) | Included with museum admission

Your Houston Stars — HMNS Rooftop Stargazing | Tuesday, August 18 | 7:00–9:00 p.m. | Guided tour of the night sky with HMNS astronomers | Telescopes on the 7th floor of the parking garage | Sun, Moon, and Venus | Weather dependent | No ticket needed

Ology Days Homeschool Science — Long Acres Ranch | Monthly outdoor science classes for grades 1–8 | A different "ology" each month: benthic ecology, ichthyology, pedology, physiology, and more | Hands-on activity stations, $5/family per class | Richmond | Registration opens August 15 at 9:00 a.m.

Doc Dissections — The Health Museum | Real organ dissections guided by doctors | Sessions sell out fast, sign up early | Ages 12+ independent, 11 and under with adult | Tickets include museum admission | Upcoming: Anatomy Lab (Sept 5), Heart (Sept 26), Eye (Oct 3), Kidney (Oct 17), Brain (Oct 31) | Full schedule through December

Studio for Actors Houston — Youth & Homeschool Classes | Summer intensives and year-round homeschool daytime classes for elementary through high school | Technique, confidence, and real acting skills in a supportive environment | Heights, Houston

Peace in His Presence — Ascension Press | 30-day Scripture journey to finding peace and trust | Name your fears and learn to surrender them to God | Booklet is free, just pay shipping | A CHECH partner

The Little Rose Shop

This Saturday we celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Little Rose Shop offers beautiful Catholic devotional items — rosaries, medals, holy cards, and sacramental gifts for your family and home. A lovely way to mark the feast or prepare for the new school year with something sacred. Explore all of our CHECH Partners.