Around the Parish – January 12, 2025
Published on January 11, 2025
As we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord today, we hear the voice of the Father proclaiming Jesus as His beloved Son. In this profound moment, the Father calls out to reveal to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the fulfillment of all the promises of the Old Testament. This event not only inaugurates Jesus’ public ministry but also reminds us of our own baptism, through which we are called into the family of God and sent forth as disciples.
This reflection ties beautifully to our Jubilee Year of Hope. Just as Jesus’ baptism marked the beginning of His mission, so too does our own baptism initiate us into a life of hope and purpose, grounded in the love and mercy of God. This Jubilee invites us to renew our commitment to our baptismal call and to share the hope of Christ with all we encounter.
Today’s celebration also marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season in the modern Church calendar. However, in the older liturgical calendar, the Christmas season extended until the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2. This feast, also known as Candlemas, commemorates the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple and the proclamation of Simeon, who called Him “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel.” Candlemas holds a special place in the Church’s tradition as a feast of light and hope, a celebration of Christ’s presence as the Light of the World.
In honor of this tradition, our poinsettias will remain in the church through February 2, helping to extend the beauty and joy of the Christmas season a little longer. Let us carry forward the light of Christ in our lives, inspired by the profound mysteries we celebrate in this holy season.
Here are a few thoughts for the week ahead:
Today will never come again: be a blessing, be a friend, encourage someone, take time to care, let your words heal and not wound. The best kind of love is when you have no expectations. True love does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.
Pax et Bonum, Fr. Andy
The Power and Tradition of Mass Intentions
The Mass is considered the greatest prayer of intercession in the Church. This is because it is the perfect offering of Christ to the Father, making present the Paschal Mystery of His death and resurrection. Traditionally, a Priest may be requested to offer a Mass for a specific intention, even if the requester cannot be physically present.
Offering Masses for the Deceased:
Having a Mass offered for a deceased person is an ancient and commendable practice. A Mass is offered to pray for the departed, that they may find peace in heaven. Since each Mass holds infinite value, requesting one or several Masses is of tremendous benefit to the person prayed for, as well as their family, who can take comfort in knowing that their intention is united with the prayers of the Church.
The Mass: Center of Christian Life:
Every Mass is a precious gift from God. It is the center of the Church’s life, known as “the source and summit of the Christian life,” because in the celebration of the Mass, we are brought back to Jesus’ Last Supper, the first Mass. We consciously recall the love of God poured out for us through the life, death, and resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ. At each Mass, all the intentions of God’s people, both living and deceased, are included. As Pope Paul VI noted in his motu proprio “Firma in Traditione,” the faithful, moved by an ecclesial and religious sense, join their own sacrifices to the Eucharistic sacrifice, participating more intensely and supporting the Church’s needs, especially its ministers.
Requesting a Mass Intention:
Anyone may request a Mass Intention for a living person, a deceased person, members of a family, or a special intention appropriate to the celebration of the Eucharist, such as World Peace, Vocations, or Respect for Life. The Church allows only one intention per Mass.
Offering a Mass Stipend:
The normal stipend offering for a Mass is $10. However, a Mass Offering can be more or less than the suggested amount, depending on the financial position of the person requesting the Mass. Envelopes for Mass intention requests are available at the entrances of the church. These envelopes can be placed in the collection basket or returned to the parish office. The requester may also ask for a card to be sent to notify someone that a Mass Intention has been requested (one card per intention). Please note that the name of the person(s) requesting the Mass is not announced.
