Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Happy Epiphany!
The wisemen statues in our church narthex have been “journeying” since the beginning of Advent, making their way from one end of the narthex now arriving at the manger scene.  We do this every year to show how Christmas is not just a day, but an event that is celebrated and pondered over time.  Epiphany shows forth God’s Revelation to the whole world.  The three wisemen where not Jewish, but Gentiles, and were yet drawn to the reality of the Messiah.  They show us the universality of our human need for salvation.  This is also the foreshadowing of God’s desire to offer salvation to all through faith in His Son. Hopefully we have journeyed closer to the Lord this season, offering Him our meager gifts, and in so doing we are changed by His grace. 

New Year’s Resolutions
It is that time for mustering up that willpower to improve certain aspects of one’s life.  Hopefully spiritual resolutions are included as well in order to help till the soil of our hearts so that God’s word can grow more fruitfully.  Check out these opportunities to get started this year!

Feast of the Epiphany (OF) / Feast of Holy Family (EF) - January 7/8
This weekend, after all Masses blessed chalk and the Epiphany prayer will be available to take home and used by parishioners in the annual house blessing.  Customarily the Epiphany blessing is done on or near the date of Epiphany (but another time is fine).  Also, it should be the head of the household to lead the prayer (so husbands and fathers), however another person can do it if necessary.  People usually chalk the front door, but you can choose whichever door(s) you would like to mark with the chalk. I recommend the door(s) most used so that people will continually be reminded of the blessing. This is a wonderful custom that encourage us to have homes of prayer, keeping God as the center, and for protection against evil.

Feast Day, Parish Novena, and Eucharistic Devotions - January 25- February 2
Our parish patronal feast day is January 25, the Conversion of St. Paul.  This year we are celebrating over a period of nine days with our parish novena.  The prayers will be made available for everyone to pray on their own, but we will offer other public opportunities for prayer as well.  Here is the schedule:

January 25 @ 6:30pm - Holy Hour with Solemn Benediction
January 27 @ 6:45pm - Paul, Apostle of Christ Movie Night w/ Pizza and snacks
January 28/29 - Adoration and Benediction after Masses
January 30 @ 6:30 - Faith Formation on The Eucharist
January 31 @ 6:30 - Faith Formation on St. Paul
February 2 @ 11:30am - Blessing of Candles/Procession with Mass
February 2 @ 6:30pm - Candlelight Adoration with Solemn Benediction

More details to follow, but mark your calendars!

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr