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EPIPHANY
OF
THE LORD
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CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST |
| Our Lady of Victory |
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St. Malachy |
| Sunday - 9:00 A.M. |
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Saturday - 7:00 P.M. |
F O O D F O R T H E W E E K |
| Reading I |
Isiah 60;1-6 (Glory of the new Zion ) |
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| Reading II |
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 (Commission to preach God’s plan) |
| Gospel |
Matthew 2:1-12 (the visit of the Magi) |
| Key Passage |
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, “where is the child who has been born king if the Jews? For we have observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”(Matthew 2:1-2)
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Pastor |
William Marrevee s.c.j. |
Email |
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Rectory |
490 Charles Street
Gatineau, Québec J8L 2K5 |
Secretary |
Monday and Thursday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Telephone |
(819) 986-3763 |
Fax |
(819) 986-9889 |
A sincere welcome to those who are new among us. We hope you find a warm and welcoming faith-home with us. Please introduce yourself after Mass and call the Rectory to register.
MASSES:
| WED. |
Jan. 11 - 9:00 a.m. |
Georgette McDonnell by OLV Society |
| SAT. |
Jan. 14 - 7:00 p.m. |
James Miller by Raymond & Bernice Miller
Basil Dunnigan by Vivian & Lorraine
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| SUN. |
Jan. 15 - 9:00 a.m. |
Kurtis Corrigan by Cheryl & Rob Maloney
Marvin Green by Ken & Monique Simpson
Helen Desjardins by Nan Sicard & Family
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| WED. |
Jan. 18 - 9:00 a.m. |
All parishioners of both parishes by the Pastor |
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON "COMES TO A CLOSE":
For the last six weeks we have been in one of the Church’s high seasons: Advent -Christmas (the other is Lent-Easter). The focus of this 6 week season is on the coming of Christ: his coming that took place some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem; his coming that takes place now in the proclamation of the of God’s word and in the celebration of the Sacraments; and his coming in glory that we look forward to in joyful hope.
This year we have made an attempt to make us more aware of what Christ came for and what he still needs to come for: a wounded, disjointed, chaotic world. The display at the entrance to the church during the Advent Season tried to evoke that. Did it work? It is hard to say. It is certainly not a bad ides to become more familiar with the rhythm of the Church year.
This coming week we move back into what in Church language is called Ordinary time. It is most noticeable by the green vestments that the priest wears in that season, but it also shows in the Scripture readings chosen for this season and in the orientation of the Church’s prayers. We will be in that mode until March 1 when the forty day Lenten period begins.
A REAL CHALLENGE; PREPARATION FOR SACRAMENTS:
It really does not make much difference whether it is for baptism, for confirmation, or for first communion, but preparation for these sacraments has become for many such isolated incidents. And that causes a lot of uneasiness and in some instances also a fair amount of frustration.
Why? Because preparing for sacraments in isolation does not accomplish much. Ideally, the celebration of sacraments is part of a larger mosaic, namely that of the Christian life. It is only in the context of that larger mosaic of the Christian life that the sacraments make sense; apart from that larger Mosaic sacraments don’t amount to much and it is quite difficult to prepare for them.
That seems to be the situation we are in today. Many of us have lost the sense of the larger mosaic. Yes, we still ask for the sacraments for our children, because that is “the catholic thing to do.” But we are at a loss when it comes to appreciating them for the role they are meant to play in the larger reality of the Christian life.
Why mention that “pastoral problem”? For two reasons:
- We receive inquiries: “When do you start first communion or your confirmation preparation? Or some have their children already registered, anxious to get started, but not always realizing that - if we want to do the preparation in some respectable manner - a fair number of things have to be in place.
- In a recent document entitled “ Discovering Jesus Christ: the Path to Freedom”
(a title that suggests what we really have to aim for) our bishop faces us with a real challenge: “we must now have the humble courage to journey from the practice of forming the Christian life.” No question that is what is called for, but it ain’t easy! How to make that switch? There will be a fair amount of groping ----. Hopefully the Spirit will guide us.
PLEASE PRAY:
for Mildred Kearnan and Paul Lemieux who have died recently and for their families.
SPECIAL THANKS:
to the OLV Society for their generous contribution of $2,000.00 to the parish.
INCOME TAX RECEIPTS:
Please drop a self-addressed envelope in the collection basket.
CEREAL BARS:
The basket will be at the entrance of the church next Sunday for your contributions to the Buckingham Elementary School.
INVITATION:
St. Andrew’s Church invites us come help them celebrate the Birthday of Scotland Bard on Friday, January 20th, 7:30 p.m. Songs, Dance or you can just sit. Scottish food served and a free-will offering would be appreciated. For more information please contact Mrs. Todd at 986-5865.
Weekly Receipts |
O.L.V. |
St. Malachy |
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Dec. 18 Regular |
$ 495 |
$ 295 |
| Dec. 25 Christmas |
1,080 |
1,479 |
| Dec.25 Regular |
1,170 |
240 |
| Dec.25 Fuel |
545 |
156 |
| New Years |
350 |
234 |
| Jan. 1 Regular |
440 |
205 |
| Jan. 1 Support |
335 |
120 |
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