Yesterday, Club 345 made candles  (many thanks to Linda Gray, Jan Mitchell, and Patti Wolfe for their help).  Candles are a powerful reminder that Christ is the Light of the World, and that we too are called to shine the Light of God’s love in the darkness of the world.  Candles are also signs of God’s love and presence with us, and are often used during prayer.  They can in fact be lit as symbols of our prayers to God.

February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the official end of the Christmas cycle in the liturgical calendar, when we remember Mary and Joseph taking the baby Jesus to the Temple to fulfill the obligations of the Law.  While there, Simeon and Anna recognized the infant Jesus as the Savior- the Light of the world that would bring all to God.  Because of this, this feast is also known as Candlemas, and the church has traditionally blessed candles on this day.

On Sunday, February 5, we will celebrate Candlemas at the 9 am Mass, and bless candles.  Please bring any candles that you would like to have blessed for your personal use:  votive candles for prayer, candles to light at the dinner table to intentionally raise awareness of Christ’s presence in your home, etc.  Christ is our Light, who illumines our path, and shows us the way to be united with God and one another.  May we so shine this light in our hearts, that through our lives, those stumbling in darkness looking for God, will find a path that leads to God.

May the intercessions of the Magi guide you to the star that leads to Christ. Blessed Epiphany

Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year’s culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: His Last Supper, His Crucifixion and Death, His Burial, and His Rising, celebrated between the evening of the 5th day of April and the evening of the 7th day of April, Easter Sunday being on the 8th day of April.

Each Easter—as on each Sunday—the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 22nd day of February.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the 17th day of May.

Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the 27th day of May.

And this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the 2nd day of December.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever. Amen

January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany, the day we remember the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. Epiphany means manifestation, or revelation, and on this day Jesus Christ is revealed to us as the Savior of all of humanity. On Sunday, January 8, we celebrate the Theophany and the baptism of our Lord, and the revelation of the divinity of Jesus Christ. In remembrance of the baptism of our Lord, and the sanctification of water and God’s pledge to redeem all of creation, it is traditional to bless water on Epiphany, which may be sprinkled in our homes with prayers for God’s blessing. It is also traditional for the priest to bless chalk which is used to mark a blessing on our homes. The family gathers near the front door, after sprinkling prayers and after sprinkling the rooms of the house with holy water if desired, and draws on the lintel of the door- or near it- with the blessed chalk the year and the initials CMB, which represent the names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. The initials of the wise men form an acronym for a Latin prayer, Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “Christ bless this house.” So the marking over the door looks like this for this year:

20 C+M+B 12

It is customary to keep the marking over the door until the feast of Pentecost.
Blessed Chalk and a simple rite for blessing will be available at the church for those who would like to bless their homes. Fr. Rob is also available for a fuller house blessing during the season of Epiphany for those who would desire it. Please email Fr. Rob to set up a time.

Many religious communities customarily choose a new patron saint for the year on Epiphany. This might be a practice that you and your family might consider. Choose a saint whose life and witness to God speaks to you and inspires you. Learn more about this saint throughout the year, and draw closer to Christ as you follow their example of holiness.

Join us as we celebrate the mystery of God with us!
Christmas Eve Mass with Carols and Candlelight
Christmas Eve 5 pm

All are welcome!

Chalicist Lector Acolyte

Jan 1 Don Jacques Betty Charro Zac Laws
Jan 8 Alice Harrison John Lynch Page Ford
Jan 15 Bruce George Bill Shoemaker Zac Laws
Jan 22 John Lynch Alice Harrison Page Ford
Jan 29 Don Jacques Bruce George Zac Laws

Feb 5 Alice Harrison Betty Charro Page Ford
Feb 12 Bruce George John Lynch Zac Laws
Feb 19 John Lynch Bill Shoemaker Page Ford
Feb 22 Ash Wednesday 7PM
Don Jacques Alice Harrison Zac Laws
Feb 26 Alice Harrison Bruce George Page Ford

Mark your calendars for the Fall donations only Flea market, which will be held on Saturday, October 15, from 8am-1pm. Clothes for all ages, toys, furniture, books, household goods, and more, plus a great assortment of fall plants- all for the price you think they’re worth. Please some support the work of our parish. Proceeds go to Mission and Outreach.

Volunteers are also needed to staff tables during the sale. Please email the church at standrewmayo@gmail.com or contact Phyllis Bryan (contact info in the directory) to volunteer.