PARISH OF DIEGO MARTIN ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST & OUR LADY MOTHER OF MERCY. Parish Newsletter. PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Wilfred John

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Frederick James
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Manger. Most parishioners walk right past it without pausing to contemplate the message it brings. This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany the last weekend that the Crèche will be displayed.

To guide your meditation, imagine yourself as one of the characters in the Nativity Scene and contemplate the reality of the situation.

1 PARISH OF DIEGO MARTIN ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST & OUR LADY MOTHER OF MERCY Parish Newsletter PARISH PRIEST: Fr. Wilfred John Sunday 5 th January Epiphany Dear Parishioners, The Way in a Manger: a moment of reflection Every year the Nativity Scene is mounted in our church; some call it a Crèche or a Manger. Most parishioners walk right past it without pausing to contemplate the message it brings. This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Epiphany the last weekend that the Crèche will be displayed. I invite you and your children to stop by for a period of reflection. To guide your meditation, imagine yourself as one of the characters in the Nativity Scene and contemplate the reality of the situation. Here is a summary of my reflection: Jesus Christ: God humbled Himself to be born in a stable. The manger was really a feeding trough for the animals in the stable. The animals helped to keep Him warm with their exhaled breath. Jesus is The Way, the Truth and the Life (Jn 14:6) thus He is The Way in the Manger. Remember to pray daily: Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like Yours. The Virgin Mary: Extremely exhausted after giving birth but so happy, she s oblivious to the smell of the animals and their dung. She s worried about keeping Jesus warm (the weather was very cold). Mary s delighted that the Shepherds came by - bringing food and water. She doesn t say much but spends the time pondering everything in her heart (Lk 2:19). Like Mary, let us spend more time pondering, meditating and reflecting on how we can become more submissive to the Will of God. St. Joseph: Upon seeing Jesus he falls instantly in love with him. He is full of desire to cradle and protect him. He worries about getting Jesus home safely in the cold weather. He ponders his responsibility; a bit fearful or anxious, because he doesn t want to let down God. It s a huge job - raising the Son of God! He s also happy when the Shepherds arrive not just for the victuals, but for the companionship and camaraderie.

2 The Shepherds: They had been guarding the flocks to protect them from thieves and predators when the Angel Gabriel appeared and said, A Saviour has been born to you He is Christ the Lord (Lk 2:11-12). They were tired too but thrilled to receive this news and to be the first, outside of the Family, to see Jesus. Certainly they would have carried their food and drink to share. Like the Shepherds, let s remember to take something to share when we visit the home of a new born child. The Three Wise Men: Scripture scholars say there may have been more than three but, because there were three gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh), only three men are mentioned. The Star led them to the stable where Jesus lay. Ask God to send a star to lead you along the path that He has prepared for you. Think about what gifts you ll bring to Jesus and how, today, you can actually give them to Him - one way is by sharing our talents and time with others. Remember, Jesus said, What you do to the least of my people, you do to me (Mt. 25:35-40). Fr. Wilfred John ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WEEKLY UPDATE First Communion, Post First Communion and Confirmation classes will resume on Saturday 11th January. There will be a meeting for Parents/Guardians of confirmation Candidates on Saturday 11th January at 9.00am at St John's. The Hospitality Ministry will meet on Tuesday 7 th January at the Joseph Hall from 7 p.m. All men are invited to the Men s Ministry meeting to be held on Tuesday 14 th January at the Parish Hall from 6.30 p.m. The Parish Council will meet on Wednesday 15 th January at the Joseph Hall from 7.00 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ WORDSEARCH E D E E G A M O N T C M L K I D E T S T H T I I N I H A A G I N N N H H E S T E T A R G F C L O R A A F R O I E H A A M D N Y L A L T A S O E I M D R S E R R N S K E T A D B O Y I A R B E T L E M E M Bethlehem Myrrh East Infant King Star Homage Leader Child Delight Gold

How Is Your Spiritual Health? To be vital and healthy one needs to have a spiritual life. It is imperative to strive to achieve values and beliefs by which to live.

3 How Is Your Spiritual Health? To be vital and healthy one needs to have a spiritual life. It is imperative to strive to achieve values and beliefs by which to live. These values must be integrated into our work lives, home lives and social lives. In the final analysis it is how we treat ourselves and others when no one is looking and no one knows about which tells about an individual s spiritual life. It is the respect and love of mother earth which is a true reflection of the respect and love for oneself and others. An individual s spiritual life is reflected in their relationship with themselves, their families, their friends, their co-workers, their community, and the world at large. Those without spiritual lives or fragmented spiritual lives tend to be more fearful, anxious, angry and depressed. The lack of a spiritual life can lead to illness and disease. Spiritual Exercises Read and Study the Bible Love God Pray and Meditate Obey God Surrender to God/Let Go Thank God Continually Have Faith & Trust in God Please pray for the sick: Selwyn & Bliss Granger Olga John Vernon Leid Thora Poon Merle Whitlock Know Your LITURGY ORDINARY TIME Ordinary Time is called "ordinary" because the weeks are numbered. Ordinary Time is in fact the ordered life of the Church the period in which we live our lives neither in feasting (as in the Christmas and Easter seasons) or in more severe penance (as in Advent and Lent), but in watchfulness and expectation of the Second Coming of Christ. SOLEMNITY In the Catholic Church year, a solemnity is the highest ranking holy day possible in the Church calendar (followed by feast and memorial). Consequently, the Church reserves solemnities for the commemoration of its most important events such as the Assumption of Mary, Easter, and Christmas. FEAST DAYS The Catholic Church assigns one date out of the year for each and every canonized saint known as the saint s feast day. The saints are remembered on their individual feast days with special mention, prayers, and possibly a scripture reading. A saint s feast day can be the day of the actual death or a day assigned by the Church.

What On In Our Parish Mon: Legion of Mary, Marian Hall, 4.30 p.m. Wed: St. Vincent de Paul, Joseph Hall, 6 pm Thurs: Charismatic Prayer Group St. John s, 6.30 p.m. Mass OLMM, 6 p.m. Fri : Adoration 5.

4 What On In Our Parish Mon: Legion of Mary, Marian Hall, 4.30 p.m. Wed: St. Vincent de Paul, Joseph Hall, 6 pm Thurs: Charismatic Prayer Group St. John s, 6.30 p.m. Mass OLMM, 6 p.m. Fri : Adoration to 7.30 p.m. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MAKE A PLEDGE THIS NEW YEAR TO GET INVOLVED! The children at the Convalescent Home need help with their homework. Office No Ministry to the Sick - Visit the sick in the parish. Contact Fr. John or Joan Wood ( ) Religious Instructions in schools Help mould our children Contact : Clive Alexis ( ) Join a Choir. Can you play an instrument or sing? WE NEED YOU NOW! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Some Friendly Advice ****** Try Jesus. If you don t like him the devil will take you back. You have one new friend request... from Jesus Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you want to meet him. LITURGICAL CALENDAR [Jan] Jan 12: Baptism of Our Lord Jan 19 : 2 nd Sun in Ord. Time Jan 26 : 3 rd Sun in Ord. time ******************************** Come Pray with Me For 1 Hour Adoration every Friday 5.30 p.m. at St John s Quote for the Week Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging. Joseph Campbell ON SALE : CATHOLIC ALMANACS - $5 LIVING FAITH (Jan-Mar) - $5 Stewardship Calendars - $10 Greeting Cards : $ HELPLINES: / PRAYER the best wireless connection Parish Office : Church Street, Diego Martin Phone/Fax , Ph: stjohnsrc@gmail.com Office Hours: Mon. to Thurs.: a.m p.m. Priest is available on Wed & Thu during office hours

Liturgy Lituourgous: Greek for "Work of the people" "Public work" 3 Elements 1) The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Divine Liturgy)

Liturgy Lituourgous: Greek for Work of the people Public work 3 Elements 1) The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass (Divine Liturgy) 8 - Worship pg 54 What are the 4 ends of worship? purposes Think ACTS Adoration: Praise and blessing Contrition: Sorrow for sin Thanksgiving: Eucharist Supplication: Petitions and intercession WB29 Christ