ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

P.O. BOX 610 - BELL ISLAND, NF - A0A 4H0
PHONE: 488-2525 – FAX: 488-3399

Jesus began his ministry by making his own the words of Isaiah: ‘He sent me to bring good news to the poor.’ The good news is that God’s mercy is available to all those who hunger for it.
First Reading (Nehemiah 8: 2-6, 8-10). After the Jews returned from exile in Babylon the nation had to be rebuilt. To Ezra fell the task of re-establishing the Jewish religion. Here he reads the book of the law of Moses to the people.
Second Reading (1 Cor 12:12-30). The human body is one though made up of many parts. So it is with the Church. Though it is composed of different members, coming from different backgrounds and endowed with different gifts, it forms a unity in Christ.
Gospel (Luke 1:1-4: 4: 14-21). In the synagogue in his native village of Nazareth, Jesus makes the astonishing announcement that in him the great prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled. He is the long-awaited Saviour of the poor and the oppressed.
Scripture Note:
Today we begin the consecutive reading of Luke’s Gospel, which was originally joined to Luke’s other work, the Acts of the Apostles. The way the story is told prepares us for what happens in Acts.
When the Jews returned home after the exile in Babylon, the nation had to be rebuilt. The Persians entrusted this task to Ezra. Ezra brought back with him from Babylon the book of the law of Moses which he solemnly read to the people (First Reading). Thus he called upon them to rededicate themselves to God.
The Gospel shows Jesus too proclaiming the word of God. In the synagogue at Nazareth, he makes his own a passage from Isaiah, and uses it to announce a program for his ministry. He is sent, not to the wealthy or the powerful, but to the poor and the lowly, the oppressed and the suffering. Here we see Luke’s concern for the poor and the afflicted. Who are the poor? The poor are all the dispossessed of this world, all those who are waiting for liberation. The good news must not be limited to spiritual blessings only. But the poor are also those who live on bread alone and who never hear the Word of God.

Sunday Jan. 28th 10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life
 

SANCTUARY CANDLE: In Memory of All Deceased Priests & Bishops

Collections for Jan. 13th & Jan. 14th, 2007
Offertory - 116 envelopes.............................................................................$1,093.73
Initial - 5 envelopes...........................................................................................$23.00
New Year’s - 1 envelope.....................................................................................$5.00
Thank you for your financial support

Festival of Prayer and Praise
Festival of Prayer and Praise will be held on Wednesday, January 24th, at 7:30 p.m. at Cowan Heights United Church. A special invitation is extended to Church Choirs and Musical Groups to meet at 6:30 p.m. for rehearsal. Please have your choir director or music leader contact Rev. Robin Barrett at 747-1022 or George Powell at 722-5007.

Archdiocese of St. John’s Announces Year of Youth 2007:
The Most Reverend Brendan M.. O’Brien, S.T.D., Archbishop of St. John’s, has designated 2007 as “Year of Youth”. As we launch YEAR OF YOUTH 2007 let us make every effort to be communities which embrace, welcome and celebrate youth and provide them with opportunities for prayer, learning, sharing and caring.
“YOUTH POWER-ELECTRIC CONNECTION” Connecting to the Power of Youth in our community...Church, School, Environment, Social Justice, Home and Family, Neighbourhood...! Youth! Lighting the way of community. Youth! Leading lights in a community of life. YEAR OF YOUTH 2007 -Youth Rally at St. Bon’s School 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Year of Youth Celebration Mass at the Basilica, 5:00 p.m., all ages welcome.
Pizza Party for youth after Mass at St. Bon’s School. All this on Sunday Jan. 28th.

Liturgical Ministers
Sat. 5:00 p.m. Readers: John Kent & Rosemary O’Keefe
Jan. 27th Eucharistic Ministers: Ros Hurley; Teresita McCarthy; Mary Power; Cecilia Kent; Loretta Byrne
Presentation of Gifts: Irene & Kevin Delahunty
Ushers: Leo Byrne; Fred Carroll; George Hickey; Brian Tulk

Sun. 10:30 a.m. Readers: Kelly Whelan & Janet Lahey
Jan. 28th Eucharistic Ministers: Bonnie Spracklin; Tom Spracklin; Sister Phyllis Corbett; Geraldine Fitzgerald; Jody Whelan
Presentation of Gifts: Bob Seward Family
Children’s Liturgy: Patricia King
Ushers: Tom Cole; Kevin Delahunty; Sidney Rees; Ray Whalen

Church Cleaning Team -2- for week of Jan. 15th - 19th, 2007
Madeline Lewis; Angela Johnson; Marg Lewis; Jean Ezekiel; Angel Ezeziel; Peter Power

Did you know?....
That on February 10th from 9:30 am to 4 pm you can help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Family Life Bureau by participating in a one day program entitled “Family Ties That Bind” facilitated by Dr. Rick Singleton, Director of Pastoral Care and Ethics with Eastern Health and Professor of Pastoral Studies with Queen’s College. This session will examine theoretical and practical perspectives on family relationships, conflict resolution, coping with change, supporting each other and influencing our communities and the world. For more information and to register you can call Sister Loretta Walsh at 579-0168. Keep checking your parish bulletin for details about other special 30th Anniversary events.

Newfoundland Catholic Renewal
Newfoundland Catholic Renewal is sponsoring a Retreat Weekend, entitled “Deep Calls Unto Deep”. This weekend retreat will be given by Father Marc van Rossem from the Netherlands. It will be held at St. Paul’s Parish in St. John’s, on February 9th -11th, 2007. Registration begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9th. For more information, please contact Brian at 726-3139 or Sharon at 739-6448.

Family Life Bureau
Wholistic Wellness Clinic: The Family Life Bureau will be holding a Wholistic Wellness WALK-IN clinic on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 beginning January 24th. Wholistic Wellness being a continual process of self-renewal and change; discovering internal and external resources as a person seeks to find personal meaning, purpose and balance, through the body, mind, and spirit connection. For more information, call Catherine Ryan at 579-0168.

Sacred Vestments
The praying Church makes use of sacred vestments: festive clothes different from those worn in everyday life. Liturgical vesture imparts a certain grace to the movements of the priest, deacon, and other ministers; more deeply, it is a call to adoration “in spirit and in truth:” (John 4:23). Both of those who wear them and those who see them worn, the liturgical vestments are a compelling invitation to “worship the Lord in holy array:” (Psalm 96:9).
The alb is a long white robe common to priests, deacons, and to those entrusted with a special liturgical service. An amice, or white neck scarf, is worn under the alb to cover the ordinary clothing at the neck. The alb is tied at the waist with a cincture.
The vestment proper to the priest celebrant at Mass is the chasuble, an ample tent-like garment. The chasuble is worn over the alb and stole, a long narrow band made of the same fabric and color as the chasuble. The priest wears the stole around his neck, allowing it to hang down in front. The deacon wears the stole over his shoulder and drawn across the chest to the right side where it is fastened; over the alb and stole the deacon wears the dalmatic, a kind of tunic with wide sleeves.
In the United States, acolytes, altar servers, lectors, minister of Holy Communion, and other lay ministers may wear the alb or other suitable and dignified clothing. Sacred vesture remains for all Catholics a reminder that going to church calls for modest and appropriate attire. Clothes do not make the Christian, but can express reverence for the presence of God and respect for those with whom we worship. “Above all these,” says Saint Paul, “put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”(Colossians 3:14).

Family Life Bureau
The following groups will be offered January 2007.
1. Separation and Divorce (8 wks): Begins Monday, January 29th, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m.
2. Self -Empowerment Women’s Groups (8 wks) January 31st, from 7:00 -9:30 p.m.
Please call Sr. Loretta Walsh 579 - 0168 to register. Space is limited

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