The Epiphany of the Lord

Transcription

1 HOLY TRINITY PARISH Hudson and Germantown, New York 429 E. Allen St. P. O. Box 323 Hudson, NY January 7, 2018 PHONE: (518) WEBSITE: The Epiphany of the Lord REV. ANTHONY BARRATT Pastor DEACON RICHARD WASHBURN Deacon REV. WINSTON BATH Pastor Emeritus

2 THE EPIPHANY & A NEW YEAR RESOLUTION FOR 2018 Well, 2018 has already arrived, probably leaving many of us still thinking where, on earth, did 2017 go to?! As our new year opens up ahead of us, we continue to celebrate the great season of Christmas. (As mentioned in the reflection last weekend, please do remember that the season of Christmas begins and not ends on Christmas Day, even though the stores and other places may well have already taken down their Christmas decorations on Christmas Eve.) In fact, in our Church calendar, the season of Christmas really continues until we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. This weekend our festivities continue as we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. This strange word comes from the ancient Greek language and it really means the appearing or the showing forth of something or someone. So, this weekend, we commemorate the epiphany or the manifestation of Jesus. Not only this, but we also mark the revealing of Jesus to the nations: Jesus Christ is the universal savior: for all times and all places: He is the incarnation of God s love and mercy. This is symbolized in the coming of the three kings who have travelled a long distance from foreign lands and also by the giving of their gifts. The gifts indicate who Jesus is and what he has come to do. The well-known hymn, we three kings explains all this to us. If you have a moment, read over the hymn to discover what the gifts signify. begin a new calendar year. During this year we can see with fresh eyes just how central God s love, mercy and presence is in our faith. So, perhaps we might think about how we can be more aware of and then celebrate God s vital presence in our lives, as well as help others who are very much in need of that joyful message of the Gospel to experience this love and mercy for themselves. We can realize that we have received the gift of faith from others (parents, grandparents, family or friends). Not only this: we are called to bring that gift of love to others. In other words, we are called to be the revelation or the epiphany of Jesus to all those whom we meet. It will not be with gifts of gold, frankincense or myrrh (well, probably not!) but instead through our time, our words, our prayers and our actions. All these can show forth and manifest the love of God. These often small things can be like a shining star that guides and helps others to discover the very presence of God in their lives. As this new year begins, perhaps we can resolve to finds ways to show forth that love of God (and once again, especially His mercy!) that we have experienced and that we celebrate to others. As one of the dismissals at the very end of Mass tells us: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord! Fr. Anthony As mentioned, we also begin a new year and most of us make some sort of resolution for the year ahead. I would like to make a suggestion for a sort of religious resolution, or a Holy Trinity resolution. It is a resolution that can involve everyone and, in fact, needs everyone if it is to work. The suggestion is to continue the wonderful efforts that have been made especially over the last few months to welcome, encourage and engage those around us who, perhaps, we only see rarely at Masses in the parish or indeed any other church. We know that they are our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ and that we, like a family, are in a way incomplete without their presence with us. In fact, Pope Francis in his visit to the USA back in September 2015 (was it really that long ago!) issued an urgent appeal and a challenge for all of us to attract others to a new or a renewed relationship with the Lord. This is given an extra dynamic perhaps as we

3 THE WEEK AHEAD SUNDAY, January 7 Help! Help! Help! After the 9:00 Mass, January 7, we will be putting away the statues and other parts of our Christmas decorations. Because the assistance of a great number of people in previous years, we were able to get things put away in short order. Help us continue the tradition. Mike Van Allen and other members of our parish team will be giving directions to keep things organized. Adopt a Poinsettia After the 9:00 Mass, January 7 our beautiful poinsettias will be available to adopt. We have over a hundred poinsettias that are still in great shape. Adopt one of these plants, or take them home. Give them to someone in the hospital or a nursing home. They can provide lots of enjoyment. If you are not at the Sunday 9:00 Mass, stop by during the week. The plants will be free for the taking in the vestibule. TUESDAY, January 9 Christian Service Meeting - 12:00 Noon at St. Mary s Academy THURSDAY, January 11 Bible Study: 7:00 p.m. St. Mary s Academy SUNDAY January 14 Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial Service Once again the faith communities of the Hudson area are invited to participate in the annual service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. The service will take place next Sunday evening, January 14 th, at the Shiloh Baptist Church, lower Warren St., 6:00 p.m. Holy Trinity Parish has always had good representation at this service. Please help us maintain the tradition. (If you would like to bring some snacks or finger food for the gathering after the Service, your gift would be welcome and appreciated.) TRAINING SEMINAR On Wednesday, January 17, at 6:30 PM, the Kinderhook Reformed Church will host a training seminar to help the public and churches prepare and respond in the event of an active shooter scenario. The seminar/training program will be presented by Investigator Anthony Brahm of the Columbia County Sheriff s Office. There will be a question and answer session following. The Kinderhook Reformed Church is located at Rt. 9 and Church Street. For further information, contact Jean Hacker at Jch9412@aol.com Income Tax Statements Parishioners who wish to have statements with respect to their 2017 contributions to Holy Trinity Parish may call St. Mary s Rectory at We will gladly provide documentation that will allow you to get appropriate credit on your Income Taxes Mass Book open The 2018 Mass Book is now open to all requests for intentions on an unlimited basis. Parishioners can now request that particular Masses be offered wherever there is an opening. We will try and accommodate parishioners wherever we can. You can write your requests on a sheet of paper and put them in the Sunday collection, or you can contact our parish office manager, Sally Hotaling, Monday to Thursday, at Time to Bring In Your Palms Approximately one month from now the season of Lent will begin with our Ash Wednesday celebrations on February 14 th. We invite parishioners to bring in their palms from last Palm Sunday, which we will convert into ashes. Loose palms may be left in any of the Church vestibules. Please do not place plastic bags, rubber bands twist ties, etc. in the receptacles. Thank you.

4 March for Life 2018 Bus Information If you would like to travel with others from our Diocese to the annual March for Life in Washington DC on January 19 th, please see bus information below. Busses will meet Bishop Sharfenberger in Washington DC and participants will march together as a Diocese. Contact Person: Avenue Cost: including Reservations: Barbara Fraterrigo 21 Ableman Albany, NY (518) ; cellphone(518) $55 per person transportation, not meals Call Barbara ASAP. She needs to have an accurate count. Payment: Checks payable to Barbara Frateriggo, mailed to above address after making phone reservation, but must be received by her at least several days before January 19. Pick up: Catskill Exit 21 NYS Thruway Parking Area, around 11:30 PM Thursday, January 18. Day of Prayer for Life To mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and to be in solidarity with those attending the 45 th annual March for Life in Washington, Holy Trinity Parish will be sponsoring a Day of Prayer for Life on Friday, January 19, There will be all day Eucharistic Adoration beginning after the 7:15 am Mass in St. Mary s Sacristy and ending with a Holy Hour for Life from 5-6pm. Please join us by dropping in for silent prayer during the day and/or by joining us for the Holy Hour. Having thoughts of becoming a Catholic? At some point in their lives, many people find themselves interested in the Catholic Church. Whatever your reason, know there are many like yourself who desire a closer relationship with Christ and a community in which to thrive and worship to help deepen the relationship. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults helps individuals journey to a deeper understanding of Jesus and the Catholic faith. It is a life-changing journey. To find out if this is right for you, or for more information, please call Michael Van Allen at the Rectory Office: Or him at holytrinityhudson.org. Maintaining Vigilance Sexual Abuse is a sin and a crime. The Diocese of Albany urges all who suspect sexual abuse of a minor by a member of the clergy, church employee or volunteer, to report this to a local law enforcement agency or District Attorney s office. Additional information for reporting may be found at ReportSexualAbuse. You may also contact the Diocesan Assistance Coordinator at (518) or assistance.coordinator@rcda.org Sacrificial Giving Spirituality of Stewardship We participate in the Kingdom of Heaven not through our accomplishments, but through our love and generosity. HUDSON Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Dec. 31)... $6, Heat and Fuel Collection Seminarians Christmas Offering , Solemnity of Mary (Jan. 1). 1, GERMANTOWN Regular Offertory Last Weekend (Dec. 31)... $1, Seminarians Solemnity of Mary (Jan. 1)

5 READINGS AND HYMNS (HUDSON) Reading: p. 82 Opening Hymn: # 235 Closing: # 236 S A C R A M E N T S The sacraments are wonderful gifts from God to us. Through outward, visible signs; the sacraments are channels of God s love and mercy and so they draw us in to the life of the Trinity. They therefore also continue the saving mission and ministry of Jesus Christ in and through His body, the Church. Below is some information on how to make contact regarding the celebration of the sacraments. BAPTISM: Congratulations! If you would like to arrange preparations and a date for Baptism, please contact the Parish Office. RCIA: For those enquiring about the Catholic Faith or wishing to complete their sacraments: welcome! Please contact the Parish Office and we will be very glad to help you further. RECONCILIATION: Celebrated on Saturdays pm in Hudson, before and after Masses in Germantown, or at anytime by appointment. (Note: it is best to call ahead first to check on the availability of a priest) ANOINTING OF THE SICK: Priests regularly visit the hospitals, nursing homes and the homebound. Please do contact the Parish Office if you or someone you know is in need of the anointing of sick. MARRIAGE:Congratulations! So that proper arrangements (paperwork, preparations etc.) can be made, please contact the Parish Office or Fr. Anthony at least six months before the desired date. VOCATIONS: If you are considering a vocation to the priesthood, diaconate or religious life, please contact Fr. Anthony to share thoughts and prayers further. MASSES FOR THIS WEEK MONDAY: The Baptism of the Lord (Jan. 8) 7:15 AM Helene W. Shook - Friend, Mary C. Dolan Myles Dolan - David & Pat Hart TUESDAY:Weekday (Jan. 9) 7:15 AM Juanita Mendizabal, 1st Anniversary - Family Joseph & Sofiya Kungys - Family WEDNESDAY: Weekday (Jan. 10) 7:15 AM Delores Housman - Charlie Housman Virginia & Joseph Plasky - James & Charlene Plasky THURSDAY: Weekday (Jan. 11) 7:15 AM Myles Dolan - Gregory & Elizabeth Pawluk William J. Whalen - Mr. & Mrs. Robert Donahue FRIDAY: Weekday (Jan. 12) 7:15 AM Clarence Mower - Walker Family Kathleen Veit - CMH Operating Room Staff 9:00 AM Robert Stickles, Sr. - Freddy & Tori Montalbo (G TWN) SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SATURDAY VIGIL MASS: (Jan. 13) 4:00 PM Richard E. Siter - George Malchow (HUD) Frank & Stanley Pankoski - Niece, Marlene & Charles Polisky Mecius Anuska - Mary, Linda, Tom & Tommy 5:30 PM Carmine Caragine - Rich Caragine Family (G TWN) SUNDAY MORNING MASS: (Jan. 14) 9:00 AM Dorothy Weber - Dick & Frieda Van Deusen (HUD) Joan Avery - Joanne Walker Gilberto Nazario Readings for the Week of January 7 Sunday: Is 60:1-6/Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, [cf. 11] /Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6/Mt 2:1-12 Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Is 55:1-11 or Acts 10:34-38 or 1 Jn 5:1-9/Is 12:2-3, 4bcd, 5-6 [3]/Mk 1:7-11 Tuesday: 1 Sm 1:9-20/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1]/Mk 1:21-28 or 1 Sm 1:1-8 and 1:9-20/1 Sm 2:1, 4-5, 6-7, 8abcd [cf. 1]/Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28 Wednesday: 1 Sm 3:1-10, 19-20/Ps 40:2 and 5, 7-8a, 8b-9, 10 [8a and 9a]/Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: 1 Sm 4:1-11/Ps 44:10-11, 14-15, [27b]/Mk 1:40-45 Friday: 1 Sm 8:4-7, 10-22a/Ps 89:16-17, [2]/Mk 2:1-12 Saturday: 1 Sm 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1a/Ps 21:2-3, 4-5,

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