ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH

Transcription

1 ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH P.O. Box 6310 Fernandina Beach, FL corner of North Fourth & Broome Streets

2 THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD JANUARY 8, 2017 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM The unfolding of the story of the Incarnation continues today as the Church celebrates the Epiphany. The tale of the magi from the East is one of the most fascinating in all of scripture. It has much to teach us about what we can come to expect, even in circumstances and places that may seem insignificant or small. Bethlehem was a tiny town, what we might refer to today as a town without even one stop light. Yet it is over this seemingly insignificant place that the guiding star stops in its own search for the place where the Savior would be born. Too often we fail to recognize the fact that the star of Bethlehem comes to rest in our everyday lives, where we can experience God s presence, manifested in ever new ways. Epiphany calls TODAY S READINGS First Reading Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! The Lord shines upon you and the glory of the Lord appears over you (Isaiah 60:1-6). Psalm Lord, every nation on earth will adore you (Psalm 72). Second Reading The Gentiles are coheirs, copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6). Gospel Magi from the east arrive looking for the newborn king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-12). READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17 Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28 Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39 Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45 Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2 :1-12 Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17 Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34 EPIPHANY Solemn things of mystic meaning: Incense doth the God disclose; Gold a royal Child proclaimeth; Myrrh a future tomb foreshows. Roman Breviary, Epiphany; Prudentius, fourth century TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION This year, in the United States the celebration of the Epiphany falls on January 8, but the traditional date for the Epiphany is January 6. The date we know as January 6 was established as the solstice in Egypt in 1996 BC, but the Egyptian calendar lost a full day every 128 years. Twenty centuries later the actual solstice had migrated to December 25. People still kept January 6 for the solstice celebration, but December 25, matching nicely with the Roman pagan feast of the Unconquered Sun, launched an extended solstice holiday. By the time of the early church, the whole period of twelve days was celebrated just about everywhere. Christians began to celebrate Christ as the true light of the world in four themes: the Nativity, the manifestation to the Gentiles, the baptism of the Lord, and the wedding feast at Cana. That was entirely too much for one day to handle. A twelve-day season was ready to be adapted, so Christians borrowed from the pagan calendar for their own season of light. Thus early Christian celebrations of the Christmas season extended from one date for the solstice, December 25, to the older date, January 6. The darkest time in the Northern Hemisphere could now be filled with the Christian observance of the arrival of the Light of the World. TRUE HAPPINESS Abandon yourself utterly for the love of God, and in this way you will become truly happy. Blessed Henry Suso

3 INFORMATION FOR THE BULLETIN Please check your calendars for articles which you wish to have placed in our Bulletin. They should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the Bulletin date; however the deadline for the last 3 weeks of January and first two weeks in February MUST be ed no later than Saturday, January 7th. Please submit to me via to: smjdean@bellsouth.net. Thank you for your cooperation. SACRAMENT MEETING FOR PARENTS A parent sacrament meeting will be held in the parish hall on Wednesday, January 11 th at 6:30 in the parish hall. Parents of children who will be receiving their First Reconciliation and First Communion this year must attend. Please call the school office or the parish office if you have any questions. CONFIRMATION Please keep our youth Confirmation candidates in your prayers as they study and prepare for Confirmation. Bishop Felipe Estevez will confer the sacrament on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at 10:00 am. SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES Sunday: The Epiphany of the Lord; National Migration Week Monday: The Baptism of the Lord Tuesday: First Week in Ordinary Time begins Friday: St. Hilary Saturday: Blessed Virgin Mary ST. MICHAEL MEN S CLUB ANNUAL RETREAT The St. Michael's Men's Club is sponsoring its annual retreat at Marywood Retreat Center, St. Johns, Florida from January 20, 21 and 22, This retreat is open to all the men of our parish. Our Retreat Master will be Father Jack Rathschmidt, a Capuchin Franciscan Friar from New York. It is a good time to step away from the everyday life and have a spiritual renewal. The cost for a private room and meals is $ The SMMC can discreetly arrange to waive the cost of the retreat for anyone in need of assistance. Please contact Charlie Sciarini at or to reserve a place. BOOK CLUB The Book Club will begin a two month journey discussing St. Teresa s book; No Greater Love, which is available at the Gift Shop. PROTECTING GOD S CHILDREN CLASS The Diocese of St. Augustine requires persons 18 years or older to attend a PGC class as part of its Safe Environment program. This class must be completed for clergy, religious, lay employees, educators and covered volunteers. The Protecting God s Children program is designed to educate those on how to maintain a safe environment for children, youth and vulnerable adults. A PGC class will be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm in the parish hall. You must register at to attend. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions. They will be meeting on Monday, Feb. 6 at 1:00 pm in the Parish Hall. All parishioners are welcome. Please RSVP: or StMichaelCCW@gmail.com.

4 GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS OFFERING! Registered Families 1632 January 1, 2017 Offertory $20,85.83 On Line Offertory 2, Children s Collection Debt Reduction 2, On Line Debt Reduction "SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE" ABOARD THE SS ST. MICHAEL SAVE THE DATE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH, 2017 AMAZING POLYNESIAN FOOD STAR STUDDED DINNER ENTERTAIN- MENT AFTER DINNER SHOW FEATURING PRINCE PELE'S POLYNESIAN REVIEW Tickets on Sale 2/1/17 Reservations Required Very Limited Seating Buy a Seat or a Table Children Welcome Captain's Table Available Benefitting the St. Michael Religious and Youth Formation Programs GIFT SHOP In addition to our regular inventory, we just added: Daily Roman Missals, genuine leather, black, and bonded leather, burgundy. Daily and Sunday Missals Accu-Gel Bible Hi-Gliders, multiple colors (for your bible study) Come visit us Sat. Jan. 7 (5pm) Dr. Maurice E. Mahoney by the ` Mahoney family Sun. Jan. 8 (8am) Parishioners of St. Michael Sun. Jan. 8 (10am) Fred Fedorko by Mariam Dudiak Sun. Jan. 8 (12noon) Wilfredo Plasencia by the Janzen family Mon. Jan. 9 (8:30am) Maurice Marchand by Ed & Barbara Deely Tues. Jan. 10 (6pm) Joe Reamer by Ann Riegler Wed. Jan. 11 (8:30am) Nancy Moody by Tom Moody Thurs. Jan. 12(8:30am)Henry Lins by Maureen Cully Fri. Jan. 13(8:30am) Jay Rice by Arlene Rice Sat. Jan. 14 (5pm) Joe Reamer by Ed & Joan Rodgers Sun. Jan. 15 (8am) Stacie Oppert by Joe & Joan Raineri Sun. Jan. 15 (10am) Betty Ann Skura by Leo, Gary and Linda Skura Sun. Jan. 16 (12noon) Parishioners of St. Michael Please pray for the sick and all requests in our Prayer Request Book. Please pray for the repose of the soul of former parishioner, Joyce Capece and for Proceso Reyes, father of Pinky Guevara. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. "To Love, Honor and Cherish The St. Michael Catholic community invites married couples to the 6th Supper and Substance dinner; a romantic and inspiring evening to be held in the Parish hall on Friday, January 27th at 6:30 pm. After dinner, Steve and Carol Lendry and Jim and Kim Maddox will share a short presentation on their marriage journey. Limited tickets will be available for $35 per couple after Masses on January 14th and 15th and 21st and 22nd. Wine and soft drinks will be available as well as door prizes. Please join us to help celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage. Contact Jan & Jan Smith at for more information or to volunteer to help with the dinner." COFFEE & DONUTS IS TAKING A BREAK UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

5 ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC CHURCH Corner of North Fourth & Broome Streets P.O. Box 6310 Fernandina Beach, FL Parish Office Broome Street - Phone Fax smjdean@bellsouth.net ALL EMERGENCIES: Website: Rev. Jose Kallukalam, Pastor Deacon Art Treadwell Saturday Vigil Mass: Sunday Masses: Confessions: Saturday: Daily Masses: Holy Days Vigil: Holy Day MASS SCHEDULE 5:00 pm 8:00 am 10:00 am 12:00 noon 4:00-4:45 pm or by appointment 8:30 am Mon., Wed., Thurs., & Fri. 6:00 pm Tues. 6:00 pm 8:30 am & 6:00 pm MINISTRY TO SICK & HOMEBOUND Weekly visits and monthly Communion Services are held at Savannah Grand, Quality Health Care and Jane Adams House. Visits by Priest or Extraordinary Minister can be arranged by calling MATRIMONY Marriage preparation for couples who wish to be married in a Catholic ceremony must meet with their parish priest at least eight months prior to the wedding date. R.C.I.A. For those seeking to learn more about the Catholic faith, call RELIGIOUS FORMATION Classes are available for grades 1 7. Sacrament preparation is available for Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation on Sundays from 10:30 am 11:45 am. Call the parish office, YOUTH MINISTRY Walt Edwards: MUSIC DIRECTOR Denise Ziegler: ST. MICHAEL ACADEMY Pre-K Grade 8 Principal Dr. Christopher Hampton Call for information smacad@smacad.org Website: St. Michael Catholic Church Mission Statement We are the body of Christ at St. Michael s Parish, called to: Gather for Worship, Celebrate the Paschal Mysteries, Preach the Gospel, Minister to Others, Be Witnesses to the World.