Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,

As we gather to celebrate the Lord’s Day we mark the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The second lection for today is taken from the First Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians which has become a most popular scriptural option for the celebration of the sacrament of marriage. The Apostle reminds us of the power of love and of the things which characterize it. He speaks of the “theological virtues” and writes, “So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Yes, love is that wonderful virtue which accompanied all the works of our Lord, including His sacrificial death for us on the cross. It is love which should give strength and inspiration to our words and deeds. The Lord Jesus commanded His disciples to become agents of love by being merciful and compassionate to all.

The training of disciples is an important component in Catholic education. Once again this year we observe CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK in the United States and celebrate the unique role Catholic schools have in the education of our young people. Not only are they superbly prepared in academics but they are schooled in discipleship which strengthens them to become agents of love in a world where many are lured into sin. Catholic school students are exposed daily to the God who is love and who invites us to join with Him in bringing about the kingdom of God.

I have included in today’s bulletin a letter which will be read at all Masses this weekend at both Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and Saint Cecilia Church. From the announcement made this past week by the diocese will come new life and great potential as we continue to provide the gift of Catholic education to the young people of our community. I am so hopeful and encouraged by our commitment to Catholic education in Rockaway and I know that good things are in store because “love never fails.”

Both Father Marcin and I would like to thank all those who remembered our birthday, Father Marcin on January 21st and mine on January 24th. We appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity, true signs of love which humble us and testify to your goodness.

On Tuesday we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, also known as the Feast of the Meeting or the Entrance of our Lord. This marks the 40th and final day of Christmas. This is the day in which candles are blessed which is why we also refer to this feast as Candlemas Day. A procession will take place at the start of Holy Mass on Tuesday.

Next Sunday the traditional blessing of the throat will take place at the conclusion of all Masses in honor of the Feast of Saint Blaise, Bishop and Martyr, whose memory we celebrate on Wednesday.
God bless you!
Fr. Zig