THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY

Transcription

1 Since October 30, Christ the KING Kampala UG PARISH PRIEST Msgr. Gerard Kalumba ASSISTING PRIESTS Msgr. Joseph Mugambe Rev. Fr. John Bosco Ssembatya Rev. Fr. Richard Arthur Muwonge LEAD CATECHIST Evaristo Mary Baguma CHAIRPERSON LAITY Rogers Semakula You strayed from the way and did not return because you were ashamed. It would be more logical if you were ashamed not to return. -- St. Josemaria Escriva THE SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY FIRST READING: Isaiah 60:1-6; The Glory of the LORD has risen upon you Sunday, 7th January 2018 SECRETARY LAITY John Baptist Ssemitego PARISH EXEC. SECRETARY Mrs. Euphemia Kiwuwa SUNDAY MASSES 07.00am: Luganda 08.00am: English 09.00am: Luganda 10.00am: English 11.00am: English 12.00pm: English 05.00pm: English (Charismatic) A reading from the Book of Isaiah. Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes round about, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; DAILY MASSES: Monday to Friday: 06.30am; 07.00am; 01.00pm Saturday: 07.00am; 06.00pm (for Sunday)

2 your sons shall come from far, and your daughters shall be carried in the arms. Then you shall see and be radiant, your heart shall thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. The Word of the LORD. RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; R. All nations on earth shall fall prostrate before you, O LORD. O God, give your judgement to the king, to a king s son, your justice, that He may judge your people in justice, and your poor in right judgement! R. The kings of Tarshish and the islands shall pay Him tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring Him gifts! Before Him all kings fall prostrate, all nations shall serve Him! R. In His days shall justice flourish, and great peace, till the moon be no more! He shall rule from sea to sea, from the River to the bounds of the earth! R. For He shall save the needy when they cry, the poor and those who are helpless. He will have pity on the weak and the needy, and save the lives of the needy. R. SECOND READING: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; It has now been revealed that the Gentiles are fellow heirs of the promise. A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians. Brethren: I assume that you have heard of the stewardship of God s grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to His ALLELUIA: Matthew 2:2 V. Alleluia R. Alleluia V. We have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship the LORD. R. Alleluia 2 Remember, Rejoice, Renew holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. The Word of the LORD.

3 GOSPEL: Matthew 2:1-12; We have come from the East to worship the King. A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East, and have come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet: And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will govern my people Israel. Then Herod summoned the Wise Men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star appeared; and he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found Him bring me word, that I too may come and worship Him. When they had heard the king they went their way; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy; and going into the house they saw the child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. The Gospel of the LORD. Remember, Rejoice, Renew 3

4 THE PARISH PRIEST S REFLECTION Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 THE STAR / LIGHT A SYMBOL OF GOD S PRESENCE IN CHRIST GIVING DIRECTION TO LIVES WALKING IN DARKNESS. The word Epiphany means showing self and one cannot show oneself without Msgr. Gerard Kalumba Light and hence the symbol of the star seen in the East by the Magi is a light of a new born King. The birth of Christ itself makes concrete the light that shines in the Darkness. Divine life participates in human life and human life is given a direction and that is the light that shines in the Darkness. Darkness symbolizes sin! Darkness symbolizes the loss of the image of God because of diverting from the voice of God and listening to the voice of the devil. Christ is the star that gives direction to a people walking in darkness. He restores the image of God in our human life. So the First Reading is very relevant to what we celebrate in the Epiphany: Arise shine for your light has come and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. Darkness had covered the earth, thick darkness had covered the people, but the LORD has arisen upon the peoples and the LORD s Glory is seen upon these people and nations shall walk by the light of the LORD and Kings in the brightness of the LORD s rising. The Magi see the LORD rising in the symbol of the star. With this new light the exiles return to their motherland. They come back with wealth: 4 They shall bring gold and frank incense and shall proclaim the praise of the LORD. This symbol points to Remember, Rejoice, Renew our return from sin to Holiness. The First Reading links up very well with the story in the Gospel in which the Magi see a star in the East and follow that star to find the new born king of the Jews. The star went before the Magi till it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy and they were led to the presence of God, that child, the true image of God in human life. The light had shone in the Darkness. That is Jesus Christ son of God born among people, the Holy one who removes our sins. As St. Paul put it in his letter to the Ephesians in the Second Reading; The Mystery of God is made by Revelation like the Magi see the revelation of God in the symbol of the Star. The revelation is made possible by the Spirit. The word of the Gospel which the Apostles preach and proclaim makes all of us partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. The word of the Gospel reveals Christ to us. So the celebration of this Feast has strong relationships to the nativity of Christ and to His Baptism both of which reveal Christ Jesus to the world also. This feast is a great symbol of God s light shining in our human darkness; our sinfulness. LORD Jesus Christ, remove the dark spot in our lives that make us live in fear and hiding. Let your light shine upon us. Show yourself to us. Reveal your Holiness in our lives. Msgr. Gerard Kalumba Christ the King Parish, Kampala

5 ...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them... Remember, Rejoice, Renew 5

6 NATIONS RESCUE TEAM UGANDA / YOUTH ARISE MINISTRY!! Behavior Change Program for Youths. You are cordially invited for a special program/event that will be happening for the first time in Kampala organized by Nations Rescue Team Uganda / Youth Arise Ministry Objective: To help us have a positive view of life and that we are the hope of generations and therefore lead a life of purpose and take charge of our health. When: 20th---22nd January 2018 Time: 8am of 20th to 8am of 22nd Venue: Mbuya Parish. Fee: 60,000 (for meals and accomodation) (30,000 for meals only) Contacts: / / Remember, Rejoice, Renew

7 The Sacrament of Baptism the Practice and Effects of the Sacrament of Baptism Baptism: The Door of the Church The Sacrament of Baptism is often called The door of the Church, because it is the first of the seven sacraments not only in time (since most Catholics receive it as infants) but in priority, since the reception of the other sacraments depends on it. It is the first of the three Sacraments of Initiation, the other two being the Sacrament of Confirmation and the Sacrament of Holy Communion. Once baptized, a person becomes a member of the Church. Traditionally, the rite (or ceremony) of baptism was held outside the doors of the main part of the church, to signify this fact. The Necessity of Baptism Christ Himself ordered His disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations and to baptize those who accept the message of the Gospel. In His encounter with Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), Christ made it clear that baptism was necessary for salvation: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. For Catholics, the sacrament is not a mere formality; it is the very mark of a Christian, because it brings us into new life in Christ. The Effects of the Sacrament of Baptism Baptism has six primary effects, which are all supernatural graces: 1. The removal of the guilt of both Original Sin (the sin imparted to all mankind by the Fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden) and personal sin (the sins that we have committed ourselves). 2. The remission of all punishment that we owe because of sin, both temporal (in this world and in Purgatory) and eternal (the punishment that we would suffer in hell). 3. The infusion of grace in the form of sanctifying grace (the life of God within us); the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit; and the three theological virtues. 4. Becoming a part of Christ. MASS SERVERS ASSOCIATION SPORTS GALA The Kampala Archdiocese Mass Servers Association has organised a Sports Gala on 12th January All Mass Servers are invited to attend and participate in different activities. Parents are encouraged to pack lunch for their children Venue: YES Centre grounds Nsambya 8.00am-6.00pm. Announced by the President of association: Alex B. Contact: Ssenkasi Paul on Becoming a part of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ on earth. 6. Enabling participation in the sacraments, the priesthood of all believers, and the growth in grace. The Form of the Sacrament of Baptism While the Church has an extended rite of Baptism which is normally celebrated, which includes roles for both parents and godparents, the essentials of that rite are two: the pouring of water over the head of the person to be baptized (or the immersion of the person in water); and the words I baptize you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. ELECTIONS: There will also be election of new leaders on Saturday, 13th January am here at Christ the King. We are to attend both events. Please, may we serve God for He does our work. Thank you & Happy New year! Remember, Rejoice, Renew 7

8 WEEKDAY SAINTS AND READING OF THE WEEK READINGS Celebration to be planned and organised: BAPTISM OF THE LORD WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY (18-25) Monday 8th January 2018 THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (Feast): First reading: Isaiah 55:1-11; Responsorial Psalm: Isaiah 12:2-6 (R. 3); Second reading: 1 John 5:1-9; Gospel: Mark 1:7-11 Tuesday 9th January 2018 Ordinary Weekday: or: St. Adrian of Cantebury, optional memorial First reading: Acts 13:46-49; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 23:1-6 (R.1); Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 or: First reading: i Samuel 1:9-20; Responsorial Psalm: i Samuel 2:1, 5-8 (see R. 1a); Gospel: Mark 1: Wednesday 10th January 2018 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of Choice): First reading: i Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 40:2, 5, 7-10 (see R. 8a, 9a); Gospel: Mark 1: Thursday 11th January 2018 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of Choice): First reading: i Samuel 4:1-11; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 44:10,11, 14-15, (R. 27b); Gospel: Mark 1: Friday 12th January 2018 Saturday 13th January 2018 Ordinary Weekday (Mass of Choice): First reading: i Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22a; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 89:16-19; Gospel: Mark 2: Ordinary Weekday: or: St. Hilary, bishop & doctor optional memorial: First reading: i Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10:1a; Responsorial Psalm: Ps. 21:2-7 (R.2a); Gospel: Mark 2: Vigil Mass of The Solemnity of The Epiphany. Sunday 14th January 2018 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B: First reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19; Responsorial Psalms: Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; Second reading: 1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20; Gospel: John 1: Other Masses are not permitted, except funeral Masses. WE ARE THANKFUL!! We are continuously grateful to you all for your commitment, Love and endurance in the present environment as we reconstruct our Church. You have been so generous to this project, which has made you really feel it is your Church, thank you so much. We want to be back to our Church this year and please continue to offer whatever is possible and the Church will be reopened soon. Christ the King Parish, Kampala Tel: Plot 3 Colville Street, P. O. Box 2551, Kampala - Uganda info@christthekingkampala.org