For today's Mass Readings click HERE.
February: Month of the Holy Family
The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ's public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family. The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice. February 21, Shrove Tuesday, will find us preparing for Ash Wednesday. The middle of the month will find us on Ash Wednesday accepting the ashes that remind us of our mortality and our need for penance. Though the shortest month of the year, February is rich in Liturgical activity. It contains a feast (Presentation of our Lord) that bridges two other seasons (Christmas and Easter). The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2nd harkens back to the Christmas mystery of Light except that now, Christ, the helpless babe, is “the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.” Candles, symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day, as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil Liturgy. In addition, the faithful may receive in February two of the four major public sacramentals that the Church confers during the liturgical year: blessed candles and the blessing of throats "The Light of Revelation" shines more brightly with each successive Sunday of Ordinary Time, until its magnificence–exposing our sinfulness and need for conversion–propels us into the penitential Season of Lent. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday (March 5) and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent–fasting, prayer, almsgiving–laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. She, who offered her Son in the temple and on the Cross, will teach us how to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow after her Son. 
|
Saints & Observances
February 1: First Saturday Devotion February 2: The Presentation of the Lord February 3: St. Blaise (Bishop & Martyr); St. Ansgar (Bishop) February 5: St. Agatha (Virgin & Martyr) February 6: St. Paul Miki and Companions (Martyrs) February 7: First Friday Devotion February 8: St. Jerome Emiliani (Priest) February 9: Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C February 10: St. Scholastica (Virgin) February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes February 14: Sts. Cyril (Monk) and Methodius (Bishop) February 16: Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C February 17: The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order February 21: St. Peter Damian (Bishop & Doctor of the Church) February 22: The Chair of St. Peter the Apostle February 23: Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C February 27: St. Gregory of Narek (Abbot & Doctor of the Church) 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph at home in Nazareth:
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (533): 533 The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life: The home of Nazareth is the school where we begin to understand the life of Jesus - the school of the Gospel. First, then, a lesson of silence. May esteem for silence, that admirable and indispensable condition of mind, revive in us. . . A lesson on family life. May Nazareth teach us what family life is, its communion of love, its austere and simple beauty, and its sacred and inviolable character... A lesson of work. Nazareth, home of the "Carpenter's Son", in you I would choose to understand and proclaim the severe and redeeming law of human work. . . To conclude, I want to greet all the workers of the world, holding up to them their great pattern their brother who is God. 
|
Dedicate a Mass in “Memory” or in “Honor” of a loved one.
Dedication of Masses are limited to two weekend and two Wednesday evening Masses per intention for a particular member. Daily Masses are also available. If you would like to dedicate a Mass in “Memory” or in “Honor” of a loved one, please call the Church Office 425-1590. Whatever moves you to become part of this Mass is what you can donate.
Dedication of Masses are limited to two weekend and two Wednesday evening Masses per intention for a particular member. Daily Masses are also available. If you would like to dedicate a Mass in “Memory” or in “Honor” of a loved one, please call the Church Office 425-1590. Whatever moves you to become part of this Mass is what you can donate.
Altar FlowersWould you like to purchase flowers for the Altar in Memory or in Honor of a loved one for a weekend? The Flower Sign-up Board is located in the Kitchen airlock. Cost: $50.00
|
Sanctuary LightIf you wish to have the Sanctuary Lamp burning in memory or honor of a loved one, to honor a special occasion, or a special intention, make arrangements with the Parish Office, 425-1590.
|
The Prayer for Vocations
Heavenly Father, Bless your church with an abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Give those you have called to the married state and those you have chosen to live as single persons in the world, the special graces that their lives require. Help those who have embraced the consecrated life to live up to their promises. Form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in Him, with Him and through Him we may love you more deeply and serve you more faithfully, always and everywhere. With Mary we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, Bless your church with an abundance of holy and zealous priests, deacons, brothers and sisters. Give those you have called to the married state and those you have chosen to live as single persons in the world, the special graces that their lives require. Help those who have embraced the consecrated life to live up to their promises. Form us all in the likeness of your Son so that in Him, with Him and through Him we may love you more deeply and serve you more faithfully, always and everywhere. With Mary we ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.