SLIDE 3 THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD
This Sunday, the Church throughout the world cele- brates the Presentation of the Lord. The Presentation is exactly 40 days after Christmas, because that is the day that Mary and Joseph took Jesus from Bethlehem to
- Jerusalem. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has
this to say about the event: 529 ``The presentation of Jesus in the temple shows Him to be the first-born Son Who belongs to the Lord. With Simeon and Anna, all Israel awaits its encounter with the Savior - the name given to this event in the Byzantine
- tradition. Jesus is recognized as the long-
expected Messiah, the `light of the nations' and the `glory of Israel', but also as a `sign that is spoken against'. The sword of sorrow predicted for Mary announces Christ perfect and complete
- blation on the cross that will impart the salvation
God has `prepared in the presence of all peoples'.'' The Feast has three names:
- 1. Presentation: Mary and Joseph presented
Jesus to God in the Temple. They offered Him to God; they consecrated Him to God
- 2. The Purification: After a woman gives birth, she goes
through a ceremony of thanksgiving to God. Mary too presented herself to God in the Temple. Mary, of course, had no sin - the ceremony was a ritual purification according to Jewish law.
- 3. Candlemas - the Mass of Candles: There was an
- ld man in the Temple that day named Simeon. He
took the Baby Jesus in his arms and announced that He was the Light of all nations. This is the day the Church blesses all the candles used for the year, because every candle reminds us that Jesus is the Light of the world. The words of Simeon - the Nunc Dimittis - are picked up in the Church's prayer every night: Now, Lord, You can let Your servant go in peace, according to Your promise, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of al the peoples. A Light to shine on all the nations, and the glory of Your People Israel (Luke 2.29-33). Pope John Paul asked that the Feast of the Presentation be celebrated as a day dedicated to all those in ``consecrated life'' - meaning anyone who has taken vows or promises of poverty, chastity and obedience in the service of the Lord. As Jesus was set apart for God for His great work, so, in our Church, many men and women take a special relationship with God to work in the Church. As a Church, we give thanks to God for the unique and invaluable witness offered by religious sisters, brothers and priests. Let us join with the whole Church in appreciating the gift of those who have vowed their lives to God. And let us pray that more of our young will hear His call to this way of life.
MEN & WOMEN'S GROUP presents
A Pre-Lent DANCE
Saturday, Feb. 22nd 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM Holy Cross Auditorium Tickets: $45.00
WHY CATHOLIC!
We are planning to start Season Three of Why Catholic in Lent This program uses the same method as ARISE: small groups, once a week for six weeks It has six sessions - lasting three years, based on the Catechism of the Catholic Church In Lent of 2020 we will do I BELIEVE Registration for new members begins Feb. 9th! The Evangelization Committee invites you to
A BIBLE STUDY
with Msgr. Malagreca Saturday, Feb. 15th - 10:00 AM to noon St, Mary's Hall: Bible-based Christian life Pilgrimage of the Steps of St. Paul
Greece and a Greek-island Cruise
July 11-20, 2021 $5,599
Sunday, Jan. 12th .................................................... $ 8,224 Repairs .................................................................... $ 2,295 Number of Envelopes (in the 1st Collection) ............ 452 Sunday, Jan. 19th .................................................... $ 6,164 Repairs .................................................................... $ 1,936 Number of Envelopes (in the 1st Collection) ............ 270 Sunday, Jan. 26th .................................................... $ 8,673 Churches in Need ................................................... $ 1,359 Number of Envelopes (in the 1st Collection) ............ 433
GENERATIONS OF FAITH
Pledged to date .................................................... $970,968 Number of Pledgers ..................................................... 324 Paid to date .......................................................... $396,518
ANNUAL APPEAL - 2019
Goal ....................................................................... $ 58,800 Number of Pledgers ..................................................... 192 Pledged to date ..................................................... $ 63,961 Paid to date ............................................................ $58,613
HOLY CROSS BOILER FUND
Goal ....................................................................... $ 94,800 Number of Donations .................................................. 821 Given to date ......................................................... $ 43,307
