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On Thursday evening January 31st at 6:00 PM, all our volunteers who give their time and talent with Worship are invited to an appreciation meal. This includes all Lectors, Musicians (Choir and instrumentalists), Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Ushers, worship environment etc. Please RSVP on the sign up table in Narthex. Please RSVP no later than Thursday January 24th, 2019 ... See MoreSee Less
01/15/19 ·
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Baptism of the Lord A Catholic Priest, a Baptist Preacher and a Rabbi were sitting around drinking coffee. Someone made the comment that preaching to people isn’t really all that hard, a real challenge would be to preach to a bear. One thing led to another, and they decided that each would find a bear and attempt to convert it to their religion. Seven days later, they all came together to discuss their experiences. The priest who had his arm in a sling and had various bandages on his body and limbs, went first. ‘Well,’ he said, ‘I went into the woods to find me a bear. And when I found him, I began to read to him from the Catechism. Well, that bear came after me and began to slap me around. So I quickly grabbed my holy water, sprinkled him and, Holy Mary Mother of God, he became as gentle as a lamb.’ the Baptist spoke next. He was in a wheelchair and had an IV drip. ‘I went out and found me a bear. And then I began to read to my bear from the Bible! But that bear came after me. We wrestled down one hill, until we came to a creek. So I quickly dunked him and baptized his hairy soul. And just like you said, he became as gentle as a lamb. The Priest and the Reverend both looked down at the Rabbi, who was lying in a hospital bed. He was in a body cast and traction with IV’s and monitors running in and out of him. The Rabbi looked up and said: “Looking back on it, circumcision may not have been the best way to start!Dear friends,Today we celebrate the feast of Baptism of our Lord. By today we end our Christmas season and start the ordinary week in Liturgy until we start lent. This feast tells us the first revelation of Jesus as son of God by God the Father. Jesus’ baptism reminds us of few things from His life. Through Baptism, He entered into the public ministry. He was identified or in other words. He revealed his identity to the public. Jesus baptism was so important for four reasons. First, it was a moment of identification for Jesus with his people. Secondly, it was a moment of conviction about His identity and His mission. Thirdly, it was a moment of equipment that the Holy Spirit equipped him by descending on him in the form of dove from God the father. Fourth, it was a moment of decision to start the public ministry with the approval of the heavenly Father. The readings today bring a new life in us. The first reading from the book of Isaiah tells that the people after the exile will get new life in Jerusalem. God tells the prophet to comfort people that all the changes he is bringing in to them. The new life is coming in their life. They feel that God is with the people with more power.St. Paul reminds them that God saved us “not because of any righteous deeds we had done, but because of His mercy.” In other words, those law-driven righteous deeds does not win our salvation, but God gives it freely. In the Gospel, Luke brings the scene of baptism of Jesus by John. This exalted identity of the “Son of God” revealed at his baptism is the starting point for all that Jesus will undertake—his self-giving ministry, death and resurrection. This is because Jesus knows who he is that he does as he does.The Spirit descends on Jesus after he was baptized. It is the Spirit that anoints Jesus to “Open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners out from confinement, the dungeon, those who live in darkness, and to bring to the poor the good news of salvation.” This news is also “The good news of peace.” The Spirit comes in the form of a dove.The Baptism of Jesus also reminds us of our baptism. Though we were baptized early enough where we did not know anything, but it asks us to know what our mission and identity is. By Baptism, we become the adoptive sons and daughters of God. The catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC# 1213) says, “Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door which gives access to the other Sacraments.” Most of us dipped the fingers of our right hand into the holy water font and blessed ourselves when we came into Church today. Why? This blessing is supposed to remind us of our Baptism. So when you bless yourself with Holy Water, you should be thinking of the fact that you are a child of God; you have been redeemed by the Cross of Christ; that you have been made a member of God’s family; and that you have been washed, forgiven, cleansed, and purified by the Blood of the Lamb.Therefore, whatever we learned in the catechism about baptism, I would like you to reflect about what is your identity in this parish community? What is your mission in this community? Through Baptism, we all become brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ. Do you owe that responsibility?Fr. Xavier ... See MoreSee Less
01/11/19 ·
Join the Scouts after 10 AM Family Mass on Sunday February 3rd 2019 for a day of family fun. Weather permitting, there will be sledding, a bon fire, smores, food and more. Parents are required to stay with their child(ren). Please dress appropriately for the activity. If the weather does not cooperate alternative activity will be provided, including but not limited to hiking around the church property, a movie and family games. Mark your calendars and join the Scouts for a day of family fun. See link below in comments for more details. ... See MoreSee Less
01/09/19 ·
