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Pope Francis has declared that the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time will now be known as "Sunday of the Word of God". On January 26, 2020, with local Churches throughout the world, the Archdiocese of Winnipeg will celebrate this occasion for the first time. What is the Word of God? We often identify the Bible as the Word of God. This is not wrong, but God speaks to our hearts in many different ways. For instance, he speaks to us in prayer and through our conscience, and often through other people. Hence, the Word of God covers much more than a printed book. Nevertheless, the Bible is the privileged collection of communications between God and his people. These stories and poems have nourished the lives of the people of Israel and the Christian Church right through the centuries, and they continue to nourish us today. They tell the story of God’s love and our salvation from ancient times onwards. The scriptural texts offer us both challenge and encouragement for our lives, and are especially valuable to us through the hope they offer us at dark moments. The Holy Spirit and the Scriptures The Holy Spirit was at work in the whole process of the formation of the Scriptures. This is why, even though many people across different times and places contributed to the writing, we believe that the Scriptures are divinely inspired. But the Holy Spirit’s work does not come to an end with the writing of the text. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us by virtue of our baptism, is also at work in us as we listen to the text. Therefore, through the Spirit’s inspiration, the words of Scripture can become a living Word of the Lord to us here and now. On the weekend of February 1 and 2 candles will be blessed at all Masses. These blessed candles will be available for pick up at the end of Mass. Feast of the Presentation of the Lord February 2 At the Vigil Mass on Sat Feb 1 and on Sun Feb 2 we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, when Mary and Joseph, forty days after the birth of Jesus, brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to God in the Temple in fulfillment of the law of Moses. According to Jewish law, the firstborn male child belonged to God, and the parents had to "buy him back" on the 40th day after his birth, by offering a sacrifice of "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" (Luke 2:24) in the temple (thus the "presentation" of the child). On that same day, the mother would be ritually purified (thus the "purification"). Originally, the feast was celebrated on February 14, the 40th day after Epiphany (January 6), because Christmas wasn't yet celebrated as its own feast, and so the Nativity, Epiphany, the Baptism of the Lord (Theophany), and the feast celebrating Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana were all celebrated on the same day. By the last quarter of the fourth century, however, the Church at Rome had begun to celebrate the Nativity on December 25, so the Feast of the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 days later. When Christ was presented in the temple, "there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel" (Luke 2:25). When Blessed Mary and Saint Joseph brought Christ to the temple, Simeon embraced the Child and prayed the Canticle of Simeon: "Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32) inspired the words of the canticle ("a light to the revelation of the Gentiles"). By the 11th century, the custom had developed in the West of blessing candles on the Feast of the Presentation. The candles were then lit, and a procession took place through the darkened church while the Canticle of Simeon was sung. Because of this, the feast also became known as Candlemass. In the lighting of candles we remember and truly live the words of Our Lord: "I am the Light of the World." Bulletins – In an effort to be more environmentally friendly, if you are receiving bulletins in your email inbox please do not take a printed bulletin from the church. If you are not receiving bulleting in your email inbox please register for the Bulletin on line http://stjwinnipeg.weebly.com/ To have the bulletin delivered to your email inbox navigate the page under “Contact” and scroll to the bottom where you will find a section that you can submit your email address. Weekly Marriage Tip “Marriage is a lifelong partnership of the whole of life.” Partnership here means sharing in life together, helping each other, journeying together toward heaven. Does that describe your marriage? Marriage is not just about sharing a physical life together, but calling each other on to holiness. It is not always easy to keep Christ at the center of your marriage, so pray for the grace to help your spouse to heaven. The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick On First Fridays, the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is administrated to all those who wish to receive it and be strengthened by it. The official “Rite of Anointing of the Sick” states: “Great care and concern should be taken to see that those of the faithful whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or old age receive this sacrament.” A prudent or reasonably sure judgment, without scruple, is sufficient for deciding on the seriousness of an illness.” The Sacrament may be repeated if the sick person recovers after the anointing and then falls ill again, or if during the same illness the person’s condition becomes more serious. A person may be anointed before surgery if a serious illness is the reason for the surgery. Sick children may be anointed if they’re old enough to know what’s going on. Elderly people may be anointed if they have become notably weakened even though no serious illness is present. Those who have lost consciousness or the use of reason may be anointed if it’s likely they would have asked for it under other circumstances. Sacraments are meant to be for people, if there is a doubt whether someone should be anointed or not, let that person be anointed. When a person is admitted to the hospital please be sure your loved one receives the Sacrament of Anointing by approaching the nursing station and asking for the “on-call Priest” to come and visit the patient. Don’t wait until their health worsens because this sacrament is for the sick, an anointing for the living, not the dead. Please change your mind set and do not call this Sacrament the “last rites”; it is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for healing. At St. Joseph’s Parish the Sacrament of the Sick is administered every 1 st Friday at the 9:30 morning Mass or by appointment. Mass Intentions and Mass & Prayer Requests on Wednesdays To request a Mass to be offered on a Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, please use the envelopes (with black printing) found at the entrances of the Church and place them in the collection basket. Saturday and Sunday Masses are beginning to book into May and June. If you have death anniversary or other special dates please book these Masses well in advance. If you have an urgent or a date sensitive request such as – health, birthday, anniversary, thanksgiving, special intention or death anniversaries please use a special envelope (with blue printing) Mass & Prayer Request on Wednesdays. These intentions and names will be honoured at Wednesday Mass & at the Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament at around 10:45 am. If you would like a deceased loved ones name mentioned at a weekend Mass in the Prayers of the Faithful please contact the parish office at least 2 weeks prior. Unfortunately you may not be accommodated if you bring the request the day of. The office is not open on Sundays (or Saturdays) therefore these requests need to be processed in advance. Following the mentioning of a name the Mass will be offered on the earliest available date or included in the Prayer Requests on Wednesdays. At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to ask you to be sensitive about Mass Stipends. A larger amount is not being demanded but more than $10 would be appreciated. ($10 today does not have the same value it did 20 years ago.) Rest in Peace St. Joseph’s Parishioners extend Deepest Sympathy to the family and friends of Doreen Allary who passed away January 21 st . Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 1 at 10:30 am, in St. Joseph’s Church.
