ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH

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

The wise men came searching for Christ. They found him, worshipped him and offered him gifts. Since then millions of people have followed in their footsteps and come to Christ. We are doing just that this morning. We come to Christ to worship him and offer him our gifts.

First Reading (Isaiah 60: 1-6). The exiles returned from Babylon to find their beloved Jerusalem in ruins. The prophet cheers them up with a vision of a restored city.
Second Reading (Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6). Paul reveals the fact that God invites all, Jews and Gentiles alike, to share on an equal footing the salvation won by Christ.
Gospel (Matt 2:1-12). This relates how three strangers came from a far country to pay homage to the Christ-child while the Jewish leaders rejected him.

Scripture Note:
For Matthew, the story of the Magi becomes an anticipation of the fate of the Good News of salvation, a fate that he knew in the aftermath of the resurrection. God revealed himself to the Jews through the Scriptures, and to the Gentiles through nature. Hence, Matthew shows the Magi (who were Gentiles) receiving a revelation through astrology. The story highlights the paradox: the Jews who have the Scriptures reject Jesus, while Gentiles come, and with the help of the Scriptures, find and adore him.
There is nothing to be gained by speculating where the Magi came from and what exactly the star was. The star was only the means by which a great mystery was revealed - the revelation of Christ as the Saviour of the Gentiles.
The Second Reading expresses the theological meaning of today’s feast: God invites Jew and Gentile to share on an equal footing the benefits of the salvation brought by Christ.

Sunday Jan. 14th 10:30 a.m. Vocations to the Priesthood & Religious Life
 

SANCTUARY CANDLE: In Loving Memory of Michael & Margaret McLean

Collections for Dec. 30th, 2006 & Jan. 1st, 2007
Offertory - 98 envelopes...............................................................................$1096.58
Initial - 31 envelopes......................................................................................$199.00
Dues - 34 envelopes........................................................................................$230.00
Advent - 6 Folders............................................................................................$75.00
Christmas - 4 envelopes....................................................................................$35.00
Donation in Memory of Johnny Murphy...........................................................$40.00
Donation in Memory of Louise Conway...........................................................$40.00
Thank you for your financial support

Church Parking Lot
We have designated two parking spaces for the Physically challenged near the main entrance of the Church. It is kindly appreciated that these two spaces be respected and used only by those who cannot use the stairs leading to the upper parking lot. We ask that the Fire Lane be free from all traffic especially in the event that we require emergency services such as the fire trucks or the ambulance. Please do not park in the fire lane.

Cleaning Groups
Would you be interested in becoming a part of our Church cleaning group. Several of our regular members are ill and can no longer offer their services. This ministry only requires you to clean the Church once per month along with other members in your group and it takes about two hours or less to complete the task. Are you interested? Please let us know, and this way we can keep our house of prayer clean.

Liturgical Ministers
Sat. 5:00 p.m. Readers: Sister Phyllis Corbett & Amanda Curnew
Jan. 13th Eucharistic Ministers: Irene Delahunty; Jasmine Brazil; Lydia Brazil; Art Whelan; Ros Hurley
Presentation of Gifts: Betty & Kevin Quigley
Ushers: Leo Byrne; Fred Carroll; Jim Pendergast; George Hickey; Cyril Jackman; Brian Tulk

Sun. 10:30 a.m. Readers: Patricia King & Jean Williams
Jan. 14th Eucharistic Ministers: Geraldine Fitzgerald; Rosanne Grant; Joseph Sommerton; Jody Whelan; John Kent
Presentation of Gifts: Shawn Murphy Family
Children’s Liturgy: Teresita McCarthy
Ushers: Tom Cole; Rick Whelan; Alex Newell; Kevin Delahunty; Charlie O’Brien

Church Cleaning Team -4- for week of Jan. 8th - 12th
Team # 4
Knights of Columbus Meeting
The Knights of Columbus scheduled meeting for January 12th, 2007 is now being held on Friday, January 19th, 2007, St. Michael’s Hall at 7:30 p.m. All members are asked to please attend.

Sympathy
Our Parish extends our sincere sympathy to the family and friends of the late Horrace Gendreau. We offer our prayers for the family and we pray that the Lord will welcome our brother to eternal life. May he rest in peace

Did you know?........
That on Sunday, January 28th the Archdiocesan Youth Office will officially launch the “Year of Youth 2007". A youth rally will be held at St. Bon’s School from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Archbishop O’Brien will preside at a Year of Youth Celebration Mass at 5:00 p.m. in the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. This will be followed by a pizza supper for youth at St. Bon’s. Details on special events and celebrations to be held throughout the year will also be released. Linda Maher, Co-ordinator of Youth Ministry, will also help parishes plan their own special events throughout the year
 

FESTIVALS AND SEASONS
The Church’s liturgical year begins with Advent, a time of preparation and joyful expectation for the second coming of Christ. It is the latter preparation that transitions the Church into Christmas, celebrating the birth and manifestation of the God-man, Jesus Christ.
Lent is 40 days of intense fasting, almsgiving, and prayer to prepare us to enter through the cross of Christ into the joy of his Resurrection. The heart of the liturgical year pulsates in the three days that commemorate Christ’s death, burial, and Resurrection (the Triduum), which begins with the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, continues with Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and concludes with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday. The Paschal Vigil in the night of Holy Saturday draws us together in the light of the risen Christ to listen to the word of God and to celebrate the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist.
Easter, traditionally called Pascha, lasts for 50 days; Pentecost marks the last day of the Paschal season and recalls the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in a mighty wind and tongues of fire (cf. Acts 2:2). Easter is followed by a series of festivals: solemnities of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The celebrations occurring outside of the high seasons of Advent/Christmas, Lent/Easter are days of Ordinary Time, which, “especially on Sundays, are devoted to the mystery of Christ in all its aspects” (GNLY, 43).
Throughout the year, feasts of the Virgin Mary and the saints refract the light of Christ and reflect his beauty. Finally, every December the Church returns to the Advent season, putting all her hope in the word of Christ who says, “Surely I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20).

Bereavement Seminar
Bereavement Seminar for people who have lost a loved one. This two-hour seminar describes the grieving process and presents some information on things individuals and families can do to help themselves and others during the time of grief. It also describes the resources available for those who are grieving. This session will be presented by Dr. Rick Singleton, Director of Pastoral Care and Ethics with Eastern Health. The session is from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on Monday, January 15th, 2007 at the Health Science Centre in room 2J-619. Stay on the main corridor through the main entrance. No registration is necessary. For more information you can call 777-6959

Quote: “Ask Jesus for the grace to know Him, for the love to love Him and for the courage to serve Him”. Mother Theresa

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