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Pastoral Messages

Hope, Pilgrimage, and Jubilee

Over the Jubilee Year, we will explore the themes of Hope, Pilgrimage, and Jubilee, always ending with a question for you to consider over the week.

The section of Isaiah read by Jesus in today’s Gospel is also the basis of a Jubilee Year. During a jubilee, we strive to right the relationships of our world – in short to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord. Those relationships are as varied as our population.

Pondering Point

What relationships do you have that need to be put on a better track? What groups are you a part of that can help?

January 24-26 - Blessing those in Communications

A prayer for all those working in the world of communications including journalists, media professionals, managers and editors of newspapers, Boards of Directors, video makers, graphic designers, copywriters, PR staff, social media managers, audio and video technicians, typographers, IT experts, etc.

May God, who sent His angel to communicate to Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds the Good news of Jesus’ birth; who speaks through His prophets; and who never tires of reaching out to the least among us, bless you with the right words and convictions in all you communicate, in His most Holy Name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - February 2, 2025

“The Child’s Father And Mother Were Amazed At What Was Said About Him ”

This Sunday is the Feast of the Presentation in the Temple. It occurs 40 days after the birth of Jesus (Dec. 25) and fulfilled the Mosaic Law of presenting the newborn first male child to God in the temple. In a sense, this feast highlights the priesthood of Christ as it marks the significance of the Messiah’s first entrance into the temple.

In our first reading (Malachi 3:1-4), the Prophet Malachi foretells the coming of John the Baptist, “Lo, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me as well as the time when the Messiah himself will enter the temple, and suddenly there will come to the temple the Lord whom you desire. Yes, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.” Malachi also warned that this would be a time of judgement and purification of liturgical abuses. This was indeed seen as Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers in the temple and criticized their lack of proper respect for the Father’s house.

In our Epistle reading (Hebrews 2:14-18), we learn that, in order to “expiate the sins of the people”, Jesus shared in our blood and flesh that “he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is , the Devil.” Jesus “had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest before God”.

In our Gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40), we hear the story of Mary and Joseph’s presentation of Jesus to God in the temple, as the Law of Moses had required of them. They offered for sacrifice a pair of turtle doves because they were too poor to afford the prescribed year-old lamb. During this ceremony, we hear the beautiful canticle of Simeon, as he recognized the baby Jesus as the "Christ of the Lord, the long-awaited Messiah, “...and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to Him, Simeon took Him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in sight of all the peoples....” We also hear of the prophetess Anna, “And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.”

www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020225.cfm

Women Enjoying Rediscovering Our Catholicism - Tuesdays at 9:00 am in Room 1
Breakfast @ St. Rita - Sunday, February 2 from 8:30-10:30 am
Family Night - Sacrament Bingo - Monday, February 3 at 4:30 OR 6 pm
Prayer Shawl Ministry - Tuesday, February 4 at 10:30 am in Room 1
Holy Beginnings - Thursday, February 6 at 6:45 pm in Room 1
Sensory Friendly Mass - Saturday, February 8 at 5 pm
Game Night - Saturday, February 8 from 6-8 pm in Room 1
Youth Group - Sunday, February 2 at 4 pm
Priest, Prophet, and King - Sundays and Wednesdays through February 26

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3 Minute Retreat - from Loyola Press; take a short prayer break right at your computer by spending some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage
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