Dear Friends in Christ,
Now that the Christmas Season is over you will notice that the liturgical color has returned to green to honor Ordinary Time. Please remember that there is nothing ‘ordinary’ about this liturgical season! It is so named because the weeks are ordered numerically. This week we celebrate the Second Week in Ordinary Time, next week is the Third Week, etc. During the Lent and Easter Seasons there is a break from the order for a few months; then after Pentecost, Ordinary Time resumes until the final week (#34) which is celebrated in honor of Christ the King.
You may have noticed that the Nativity figures of the Holy Family are still in the Sanctuary… we did not forget to put them away but rather it is in honor of our local tradition to display them until 40 days after Christmas when we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord (February 2). I leave a Nativity scene out all year long at the Rectory as a personal reminder that Christ is born into our hearts each and every day.
This upcoming week (on Wednesday, January 22) we will note the sad 41st anniversary of the decision of Roe vs. Wade which represented an egregious offense against the dignity of human life. As we look to this upcoming year, I look forward to our parish family further embracing, promoting and learning more about what it means to promote a Culture of Life. Please consider joining us on Wednesday, January 22 at 11:30am to pray the Rosary in the Church. We will pray for a greater understanding and respect for the unborn, for women (and men who support women) considering termination of a pregnancy, and for the beautiful gift of healing and mercy to come upon those who have made decisions that do not favor the gift of life.
Today at the 10am Mass we will be honoring couples who are preparing for the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. In a few weeks we will also be hosting the Marriage Renewal Weekend and all couples (married under one year to over 60 years!) are invited to participate and share the gift of the vocation of marriage.
Please pray that our homes can be true sanctuaries that represent the domestic Church where the peace of God’s love is shared. Thank you for your prayers for me and for those who serve our parish family as Priests and Religious Sisters. We also will include you in our prayer intentions this week. We may not see each other each day but may we meet each day in our prayers!
In Christ,
Very Rev. Stephen D. Parkes, V.F.