ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

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

In the Gospel of today’s Mass we read of the extraordinary incident in which Jesus was chased out of his native village of Nazareth. Why? Because they couldn’t take the truth he was telling them.
None of us has any great desire to hear the truth, especially when it exposes unpleasant things about ourselves. We too reject the messengers God sends to us. Let us think about that for a moment. Let us turn to Christ, the messenger of God’s truth, love and mercy.
First Reading: Jer. 1.4-5, 17-19..... This reading tells of the call and commission of the Prophet Jeremiah.
Second Reading:1. Cor. 12.31 - 13.13..... Paul stresses the primacy of love in the life of a Christian.
Gospel: Luke 4.21-30..... Jesus share the fate of every true prophet: rejection by his own people.
SCRIPTURE NOTE:
The First Reading tells of the call and commissioning of the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah never wanted to be a prophet and was overwhelmed by the sheer burden of it. He stands out as a lonely figure whose mission seemed to have failed. He is the supreme example, until Jesus, of the triumph of failure.
The Gospel is a continuation of last Sunday’s reading. We see the reaction to the homily Jesus gave in the synagogue at Nazareth. The people can’t believe that the words of Isaiah could apply to him, the humble son of Joseph. On hearing that the benefits they have rejected will be offered to the Gentiles, the people rise up in fury and attempt to do away with Jesus. This foreshadows the ultimate fate of Jesus; but his hour has not yet come.
St. Paul has been speaking of gifts and charisma. But here (Second Reading) he stresses the supreme importance of love. Without love all these gifts are useless.

Sunday Feb. 4th 10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life

Collections for Jan. 20th & Jan. 21st, 2007
Offertory - 112 envelopes.................................................................... $928.25
Dues- 5 envelopes............................................................................... $60.00
Thank-you for your financial support

SANCTUARY CANDLE: In Memory of Vince, Mae & Janet Murphy

Visitation of Sick and Shut In’s
Sister Phyllis Corbett will be visiting the Sick and Shut In’s of our Parish on Friday, Feb. 2nd, 2007. Please prepare for Sister’s visit and if you are not going to be home, please call the office to let us know. This will give Sister Phyllis extra time to spend with the Sick and Shut In’s. If you or a member of your family is unable to attend Mass due to senior age or sickness, please let us know if you wish to receive the Eucharist on the First Friday of each month.

A Special Thank -You
A special Thank-You to Reverend Fr. Edward Purcell who so graciously attended to our Spiritual and Liturgical needs over the past month. We were very happy to welcome back Fr. Purcell to St. Michael’s Parish and look forward to his return at another time. Many Blessing on you and your Ministry during 2007.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend
Plans are now under way for a fun filled exciting weekend. To help us celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend, please schedule the following events into your calendars and join us to support the cause.
Wednesday, March 14th, Super Card Game with special prizes.
Saturday, March 17th Irish Stew Dinner
Sunday, March 18th St. Patrick’s Day - Irish Concert
 

Liturgical Ministers
Saturday 5:00 p.m. Readers: Des & Teresita McCarthy
Feb. 3rd Eucharistic Ministers: Joey Kent; Carol Clarke; Brenda Sweeney; Helen Pitts; Pat Craig
Presentation of Gifts: Mary Ann & Mabel Gendreau
Ushers: Bill Hammond; George Hickey; George Jackman; Keith Pitts

Sunday 10:30 a.m. Readers: Janet Lahey & Valerie Gorman;
Feb. 4th Eucharistic Ministers: Geraldine Fitzgerald; Sister Elsie Lahey; Judy Burt; Sarah Burt
Presentation of Gifts: Clara Hammond & Riv Fitzgerald
Children’s Liturgy: Ros Hurley
Ushers: Ray Kennedy; Alex Newell; Charlie O’Brien; Ray Whalen

Church Cleaning Team - 3 - for week of Jan. 29th - Feb. 2nd, 2007
Geraldine Fitzgerald; Riv. Fitzgerald; Ros Hurley; George Jackman; Patricia King;
Doug O’Neill

2007 - Cemetery Schedule
Cemetery Mass at the Front: Sunday, July 22th, @ 2.30 p.m.
Cemetery Mass at Lance Cove: Sunday, Aug. 12th @ 2:30 p.m.

Knights of Columbus/St. Michael’s Parish Ticket Sweep
Once again this year the Parish and the Knights of Columbus will combine efforts in the Knights of Columbus State Lottery. Members of the Knights will be in Church at the end of the Weekend Masses to distribute tickets to parishioners and knights who which to support the fundraiser by purchasing a ticket or taking a ticket or tickets to sell. The cost of the ticket is $40.00. However, the prize structure has been changed from previous years. The 1st prize is $50,000.00, 2nd prize $15,000.00, 3rd prize $5,000.00, 5 prizes of $1,000.00 and 10 prizes of $500.00.
This is a major fundraiser for St. Michael’s Parish and the Knights and your support is very much appreciated.

Caring By Sharing “Foodbank”
The Caring By Sharing will officially open its doors on Feb. 1st, 2007 to service clients in the Community. Please remember that all Community residents can access the Foodbank. All of the public are invited to the Official opening of the Caring By Sharing “Foodbank” on Feb. 11th, 2007 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tax Receipts 2006
Copies of the tax receipts for the year 2006 are available at the back of the church. Thank you for your generous offering.

The Many Colors of Grace
The liturgy of the Church makes a rich and varied use of color. The color of the stole, chasuble, and dalmatic changes according to the feast and season. The tent-like veil covering the tabernacle and other elements in the Sanctuary may also change with them, following the same rules. The variety of liturgical colors signifies the different ways in which we are touched by the grace of Christ in the liturgy.
Violet, signifying longing and penance, is used in Advent and Lent. Rose-colored vestments, a sign of anticipated joy, are used on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent. White, the color of purity and of glory, is used during Christmas and the Paschal Triduum, as well as on certain feasts of the Lord and on feasts of the Virgin Mary and many saints. Vestments of gold or silver cloth may be used on great solemnities. Green, symbolizing growth, fruitfulness, and hope, is worn on Sundays and weekdays during Ordinary Time. Red, recalling the blood of Christ and the martyrs, as well as the fire of the Holy Spirit, is worn on Passion Sunday, Pentecost, Masses of the Holy Spirit, feasts of the Holy Cross and apostles and martyrs. For Masses of the dead and funerals, violet, white, or black vestments may be worn.
The association of colors with the various feasts, seasons, and mysteries of the Lord is part of our Catholic liturgical heritage. Even preschool children are capable of grasping the meaning of the liturgical colors. The Church, “in many-colored robes is led to the king” (cf.Psalm 45:14).

A Tour of Greece
“A Tour, including a 7 night Cruise to discover one of the most captivating regions of the world – Greece, the cradle of democracy – has been arranged. Come and discover the tranquil and peaceful Greek Islands, fascinating Istanbul, the amazing ruins of Ephesus as we sail through the blue Aegean Sea. This will be an experience of a lifetime – an opportunity to feel and understand the history, culture and beauty of these ancient lands. Date: October 9th – 23rd, 2007.
Detailed Brochures and information call Canon William Noel – 709-754-8720. Book early and benefit from a discounted price.”

Al-Anon
Are you or a family member affected by someone else’s drinking? If so we may be able to help you. Our Annual Al-Anon/Al-a Teen Convention with AA participation will be held on Feb. 9th & 10th, 2007 at Holiday Inn, St. John’s.
For further information please call our office at 722-2666.

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