Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

My Dear Parishioners,
 
Today is the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the final Sunday before the start of Lent which begins on Wednesday. In both the Old Testament reading and the Gospel we hear about a disease which brought terror in the hearts to those who lived in former times, LEPROSY. This skin disease brought with it pain, disfiguration and ostracizing from the community. Because of this contagion, lepers were forced to live separately and at the mercy of others. Their plight was pitiful and their suffering life-long. Today Hansen’s disease, as we name leprosy today, is treatable and not as prevalent as in former times.
 
Today is also the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th, and in the Catholic Church known as WORLD DAY OF THE SICK.  Each year our Holy Father issues a message addressing the sick and those who work in the health care industry. In this year’s message Pope Francis speaks to the health care institutions which are operated by the Church providing care and dignity to every human life.  The Pope writes:” The Church’s mission is a response to Jesus’ gift, for she knows that she must bring to the sick the Lord’s own gaze, full of tenderness and compassion. Health care ministry will always be a necessary and fundamental task, to be carried out with renewed enthusiasm by all, from parish communities to the largest health care institutions…Doctors and nurses, priests, consecrated men and women, volunteers, families and all those who care for the sick, take part in this ecclesial mission. It is a shared responsibility that enriches the value of the daily service given by each.”
 
This is a good time to inform you of the “Healing Mass for the Sick” which will take place in Saint Cecilia Church on Saturday, May 12th at 11 o’clock in the morning (you may want to make note of this date in your calendar). During the Mass the priests will administer the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to those who request it. The liturgy is for both Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Cecilia parishioners who are in need of the grace of this sacrament.
 
Today marks the 7th anniversary of the death of our former parochial vicar FATHER JEAN CLAUDE ST. MARTIN. Many of us remember Father Jean Claude’s gentleness and kindness. We miss him and remember him in the celebration of the Eucharist in both our parishes this weekend.
 
This weekend the Vietnamese Martyrs Community is celebrating the NEW YEAR. This celebration begins with the Holy Mass this afternoon in Saint Cecilia Church at 3:30 followed by a reception in Hayes Hall. To all those celebrating the NEW YEAR, May Christ our Savior richly bless you in the New Year with good health, prosperity, peace and joy!!
 
See you in church for the start of Holy Lent on Wednesday. Please check this bulletin for liturgy times in both our parishes!
 
God bless you!
Father Zig