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St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster
NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)
NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL
309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME 04756
Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 [email protected]
Faith Formation Office - 728-7135
OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772
Parish Office - 543-7447 Faith Formation Office - 543-6119
ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785
Parish Office - 868-2718 [email protected]
January 5, 2020
Pastor
Fr. James Plourde
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN
Deacons
Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette
Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine
Cluster 2 Business Coordinator
Greg Cyr
Sacramental & Pastoral Care
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.
New Parishioners
If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.
The Epiphany of the Lord January 05, 2020
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule
St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule
Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule
Saturday, January 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 6:00pm SA: Deceased Parents by Arlene & Roland Albert
Sunday, January 5 Epiphany of the Lord 10:30am SL: Alverie Tardif by Cleo & Jean Paul Ouellette 4:00pm SJ: Jeannette Albert by Charlene, Paul, Lise & Louise
Monday, January 6 St. Andre Bessette 6:00pm SA: Paul Collins by Elaine & Phil
Tuesday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort 8:30am SJ: All Souls by Parishioners
Wednesday, January 8 NO MASS
Thursday, January 9 6:00pm SL: Mr. & Mrs. Fortunat Lavoie by Germaine Tardif
Friday, January 10 NO MASS
Saturday, January 11 6:00pm SA: Maurice & Winnie Sirois by Sirois & Daigle Family
Sunday, January 12 Baptism of the Lord 10:30am SL: Thanksgiving for a Favor Obtained by Marietta Bouchard 4:00pm SJ: Dick Daigle by Corinne & Family
Saturday, January 4 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 4:00pm ST: Fernand Bosse by Family
6:00pm SG: Guy Roy by Barb & Family
Sunday, January 5 Epiphany of the Lord 8:30am ST: Ronald Bosse by Bert & Rina Bosse 11:00am SD: Jeffrey Pelletier by Don Pelletier
Monday, January 6 St. Andre Bessette 8:30am ST: Muriel (Clavette) & Steve Dudyshyn by Don & Ann Marie
Tuesday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort
9:00am-5:45pm ST: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm ST: Marie Nadeau by Arnold & Pat Dufour
Wednesday, January 8 8:30am SD: Paul Beaulieu (1st Anniv.) by Wife & Daughter
Thursday, January 9 NO MASS
Friday, January 10 1:30pm CV: Norman Martin by Mike Morin
Saturday, January 11 4:00pm ST: Deceased Family of Gloria Daigle & Family
6:00pm SG: Philip Dionne, Jr. by Family
Sunday, January 12 Baptism of the Lord 8:30am ST: Eva Levesque by Family 11:00am SD: Edwina Fongemie by Joel Fongemie
Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities
NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL
SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael’s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights RDG - Ridgewood Estates
Saturday, January 4, 2020 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
4:00pm SB/SR: Marlene Thibodeau by her Mother, Edwina & Family
Sunday, January 5, 2020 Epiphany of the Lord 8:00am SJ: Beecher King by Vi & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Germaine Laplante by Rosaire Dumond
Monday, January 6 St. Andre Bessette 6:00pm SB/SR: Therese Saucier by Delano & Jocelyne Laplante
Tuesday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort
Wednesday, January 8 6:00pm SB/SR: Gilberte Thibodeau by daughter Lina 6:30pm - 7:00pm - Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation
Thursday, January 9 NO MASS
Friday, January 10 10:00am BVM: Therese Gagnon by Ray & Judy Marquis
Saturday, January 11 4:00pm SB/SR: Linda McGlinn by her Brothers & Sisters
Sunday, January 12 Baptism of the Lord 8:00am SJ: Jerome Bell by Mom & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Gervaise Lapierre by Ray & Judy Marquis
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska
LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the Unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for Diana by Armande Landry
Worship & Spirituality
Parish Life
Finance & Administration
Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update
Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 22, 2019
Budget: $180,288 Actual: $183,192 Under Anticipated: -$2,904
Amount given Weekly goal St. David $7,108 $1,958 St. Gerard $1,070 $1,231 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,320 $4,023 Weekly Totals $12,498 $7,212
Community Events
EUCHARISTIC ADORATION EVERY TUESDAY at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 9am – 5:45pm.
This week’s intention: For our priests and vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life, and also for our area businesses and their workforces.
MADAWASKA KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SUPPER/MEETING: Monday, January 6th. Supper begins at 6pm followed by meeting.
DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MONTHLY MEETING: Monday, January 13th; Rosary at 5pm, meal at 5:15pm followed by meeting at 6pm. Theme: Soup for the Needy Bring non-perishable items to replenish the food pantry. No outdated items please!
FATIMA ROSARY: Recited every 13th of each month at 12pm (noon) at St. Gerard Church. Everyone invited to attend
DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella
can help through the Prayer Line. Many persons who have been placed on the prayer line have found great comfort in the power of prayer and some have witnessed miracles. This is open to anyone – not only for members. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, 316-7035.
††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:
† Reno Picard, 88, who passed away on December 23rd. He was the grandfather of Allison Guerrette of our parish.
† Kevin Michaud, 30, who passed away on December 24th. He was the son of Louise of our parish.
PRAY FOR OUR SICK Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Lorette Chasse, Gene Lavoie, Bernice Martin, Joel Albert, Odette Pelletier, Brenda Levesque, James Lavoie, Michael Rossignol, Norma Jandreau, Danny G. Cyr, Donna Neil, Jim Bouchard and Louise Hebert.
IT’S A PLANNING MEETING, YOUR INVITED!!!! Greater Grand Isle Homecoming Committee Meeting on Tuesday, January 7th at 6:30pm at the Grand Isle General Store. Planning for winter, spring and summer music events and?????
GRAND ISLE SENIOR LUNCH: Thursday, January 9th; Menu: Roast Pork
CABIN FEVER RELIEVER: Friday, January 10th at the Madawaska Senior Center from 6-8pm. Oldies Night - Music by: DJ Don Dumond
SPECTACULAR VALENTINE DINNER: Friday, February 14th; social begins at 5:30pm, Dinner at 6pm. Music by: Denis Dube. A 5-Course meal will be served by our dedicated Historical Society servers at your table. The Grand Isle Community Center will be transformed for our valentine special. $25.00 per person, by reservation only, reserve your table now, limited seating, call Angela 895-6949. Sponsored by K OF C and Ladies of St. Anne with all proceeds for the St Gerard Church roof fundraiser.
2019 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $39,406: Total pledges to date: $39,765(101% of goal) with 218 households participating.
CONGRATULATIONS WE HAVE EXCEEDED OUR GOAL!!!
SACRAMENT PREPARATION
YEAR 1 FAMILY FAITH FORMATION GATHERING
Sunday, January 12th
• Begins with families attending 8:30am Mass • Followed by Faith Formation in the church center
(basement). • Theme: The Power of the Sacraments
PRAYER LINE CONTACTS St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073
Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday’s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday’s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce
Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel
Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates
Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 22, 2019
Budget: $96,154 Actual: $93,011 Under Anticipated: -$3,143
Amount Given Weekly Goal Weekly Totals $3,887 $4,703
This Year Last Year Average Collections $3,720 $3,817
Sacramental Life
SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass
2019 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $20,918: Total pledges to date: $14,050 (67% of goal) with 75 households participating.
2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL Goal: $20,424: Total pledges: $12,614 (62% of goal) with 68 households participating.
SENIOR LUNCHES
SINCLAIR: No Meal in January
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING APPLICATIONS Montfort Heights in St. Agatha, ME is accepting applications for subsidized housing. For more information contact Eric Fruge at
207-543-6325, 384 Main St., St. Agatha, ME 04772 or by email at [email protected].
Community Events
Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:1-12 The Magi seek out Jesus and do him homage.
Background on the Gospel Reading The visit of the Magi occurs directly before the story of the Holy Family’s flight into Egypt. Matthew’s Gospel tells a version of Jesus’ birth that is different than the one in Luke. Of the actual birth of Jesus, Matthew tells us little more than, “When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of King Herod . . . ” The story of the census is found only in Luke’s Gospel, but we hear about the visit of the Magi only in Matthew’s Gospel. We know little about the Magi. They come from the East and journey to Bethlehem, following an astrological sign, so we believe them to be astrologers. We assume that there were three Magi based upon the naming of their three gifts. The Gospel does not say how many Magi paid homage to Jesus. In Matthew’s Gospel, they represent the Gentiles’ search for a savior. Because the Magi represent the entire world, they also represent our search for Jesus. We have come to consider the gifts they bring as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ role in salvation. We believe the meaning of the gifts to be Christological. Gold is presented as representative of Jesus’ kingship. Frankincense is a symbol of his divinity because priests burned the substance in the Temple. Myrrh, which was used to prepare the dead for burial, is offered in anticipation of Jesus’ death. The word Epiphany means “manifestation” or “showing forth.” Historically several moments in Christ’s early life and ministry have been celebrated as “epiphanies,” including his birth in Bethlehem, the visit of the Magi, his baptism by John, and his first miracle at Cana.
St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home
Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:
Finance & Administration
2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL Goal: $14,190: Total pledges: $6,797 (48% of goal) with 46 households participating.
2019 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $14,997: Total pledges to date: $10,730 (72% of goal) with 60 households participating.
ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:
Antoine Levesque by John & Noreen SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:
Therese Saucier by the Knitting Class
ST. JOSEPH PASCAL CANDLE / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Beecher King & Ray Mulherin by Lawrence & Patricia Zenzius
PARISH NEEDS / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Therese Saucier by Mike & Marie Lajoie
St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee News
Food Pantry News: Next distribution, Jan. 30, 1-3. Thanks to everyone who contributed extra foods and dollars to our Food Pantry during the Norstate Hope for the Holidays drive (and all year long). Norstate and employees do a lot to help reduce food insecurity throughout our Parish.
Never hesitate to call for emergencies: Please be clear if leaving message.
Dan 868-5707, Nancy 868-5324, Norm 498-9570. Serving Van Buren, Cyr Plantation & Hamlin
Outreach Committee Breakfast Schedule The Next breakfast is January 19th
2020 Breakfast Schedule / Cost: Free will donations Feb. 16th, March 29th, April 19th & May 17th
Matt 25:40 “Amen I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”
Card Party Schedules St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee Parties: Jan. 19th, Feb. 16th, March 29th, April 19th, May 17th Daughters of Isabella Parties: Jan. 26th, Feb. 19th, March 8th, April 12th, May 24th
Breakfast Schedules St. Peter Chanel Outreach Committee: Jan. 19th
Knights of Columbus: Jan. 12th
St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 22, 2019
Budget: $68,894 Actual: $67,246 Under Anticipated: -$1,648 Amt. Given $2,995 Wkly Goal $2,756 Average Collection: This yr. $2,690 Last yr. $2,784
Marquis & Cyr Families by
Ray & Judy Marquis
Mom & Dad, Matante Julie, Tom & Linda
by Lisa
Joseph Gibson by
Lina & Family
Our Deceased Parents
by Steve & Marilyn
Gilberte Thibodeau by
Lina & Family
Raymond & Marcella Lajoie by
Bob, Carol & Family
Tardif, Parent & Young Families by
Ron & June & Family
Tom, Omerine & Dan Smith by
Their Family
St. Pierre & Marquis Families by
Paul & Helen St. Pierre
Cote & Beaulieu Families by
Bridget Cote & Family
Lajoie & Madore Families by Steven &
Marilyn
Poitras & Laforest Families
by Steve & Diane
Lajoie & Sirois Families by
Mike & Marie Lajoie
Mom, Dad, Ti John,& Claudette Rest in
Peace, Love Glenn
Gervaise Lapierre by
Bob & Family
Roger Beaulieu by his wife, Edwina
& Family
Thibodeau & Lapointe Families
by Omerine & Family
Roland Laverdiere by his wife, Matilda
& son, John
Simon Cyr by
Grandpa & Grandma
Gerard, Isabel & Rick Parent
by Rudy & Dinah
Peter, Jeannine & Ricky Cyr
by Rudy & Dinah
Rest in Peace Dad Love Gary
Miss you Bro Love
Gary & Mom
Kim Beaulieu by
Uncle Nate
Verna Ouellette by her husband Nate and Family
Parent & Cyr Families by
John & Muriel Parent
Levesque & D’Amour Families by
Gene & Rachel
CHRISTMAS FLOWER DONATIONS IN LOVING MEMORY OF: (PARTIAL LIST PT 2)
Elmire Bailey by Dan & Barb Pelletier Pelletier & Theriault Families by Dan & Barb Pelletier Martin & Lorette Parent by John & Muz Parent Beecher, Glen, & Barry King by Viola King Deceased Members of the Chasse Family by Sue Chasse Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Madore by Theresa Labbe & Family Mr. & Mrs. Albenie Labbe by Theresa Labbe & Family Pat & Hub Pelletier by John & Noreen Pelletier Martine Pelletier by John & Noreen Pelletier Antoine Levesque by John & Noreen Pelletier Gerald Morrow by John & Noreen Pelletier Sue Violette by Dick Violette Mr. & Mrs. Leo James Violette by Dick Violette A Dear Friend by Dick Violette The Franck Family by Harvey & Arlene Beaulieu The Beaulieu Family by Harvey & Arlene Beaulieu United Stated Military by Len & Ella Adam American Veterans by Len & Ella Adam The Adam Family by Len & Ella Adam The Page Family by Len & Ella Adam Otto & Violet O’Hara by Beo & Patsy Charette Roland & Claire Charette by Beo & Patsy Charette Romeo, Florence & Dan Levesque by Robertine & Fern Levesque Alison Levasseur by Peter, Leah, Eric, David & Mark Pat & Hub Pelletier by Peter, Leah, Eric, David & Mark Louis & Marcella Levasseur by Peter, Leah, Eric, David & Mark Our Parents & Friends by Marie Paul & Dan Lapointe Shana Farmer Pelletier by Helen Farmer & Family Farmer & Garry Families by Helen Farmer
ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER
ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement
Hours: Monday to Thursday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or Call 728-4346/316-8062 Lee
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with loving kindness I have drawn you. Jeremiah 31:3
PUZZLES: Just the thing to relax after the holidays! A beautiful scene, Maine Lighthouse, Christmas House, Garden by the Bay, Evening Solitude, plus many others. And when you're done, you have a beautiful photo to frame or cover with contact paper and put up on your wall!! $15
BOOKS: “The HEALING POWER of the EUCHARIST" By: John H. Hampsch, C.M.F. Take and Eat.....God's Greatest Gift for Body and Soul. A hush descends upon the congregation as the priest elevates the hosts; "This is my body.....This s my blood..." An infant wails. An old woman reverently fingers her rosary. A bored teenager shifts uncomfortably, thinking of a canoe trip that afternoon. On cue, hundreds of people pour down the aisles to the front - some kneeling, some bowing, some holding out their hands. The body of Christ. In The Healing Power of the Eucharist, Father Hampsch reflects upon the spiritual, emotional, and even physical healing that is available to us through the transforming power of this sacrament. He recounts miraculous stories, and explains the teaching of the Church concerning the real presence of Christ, "body and blood, soul and divinity" contained in the consecrated host. $11.99
FOR KIDS: “Saint Francis of Assisi” for Children St. Francis, the patron saint of animals, is particularly remembered for his gentle and caring deeds towards his world and those who shared it with him. His vibrant faith inspired many others to follow his example of a life filled with consideration. Set in the medieval countryside surrounding Assisi, this book invites you to step into his world, beautifully recreated in words and pictures. What a wonderful way for your child to learn all about one of our greatest saints!! Sit you child or grandchild on your lap & read to him/her. In a very few years, it will be too late to spend time with them!!
Gift Certificates are Always available!!
REMEMBER A BOOK IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!!
WISHING ALL OF YOU A HAPPY, HEALTHY NEW YEAR 2020!!
CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER SCHEDULE
PILMGRIMAGE TO IRELAND: All are invited to join Bishop Robert P. Deeley and other Maine parishioners on a once-in-a-lifetime pil-grimage to Ireland in 2020. The journey will begin on August 28th and conclude on September 8th of 2020. The price per person, based on double occupancy, is $4,699. For more information or to reserve a spot, contact Teena at Dube Travel by calling (207) 784-2916 [email protected].
LAVALLEE YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
December 29: Theology at Tim’s to be rescheduled! January 5: Meeting January 12: Meeting January 19: Guest Speaker: George Sullivan (Teens In Action) January 23-25: March For Life - Washington DC January 26: Sledding Day
January 5 - Youth Ministry Movie Night - 5:00pm–8:00pm January 10–11 – Catholic Women’s Retreat / Fri. 7pm-Sat. 3pm January 18 – Christ Alone is Enough Retreat - 8am-3pm January 14 – CLC Core at CLC - 6:30pm January15 LIFT Gathering (all adults invited) - 6:30pm– 8:00pm January 26 - Family Dinner and a Movie - 2:30pm–5:30pm
To register, call 207-543-6193 or [email protected]
SPIRITUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND & JORDAN April 14-25, 2020
Featuring Nazareth-Cana,-Mt. Tabor-Capernaum-Tabgha-Mt. of Beatitudes-Ceasarea-Haifa-Bethlehem-Mt. of Olives-Jericho-Jerusalem—Ein Karem-Masada-Qumran-Dead Sea– Mt Nebo– Madaba-Petra. Fr. Alex will be the Spiritual Director. A rebate of $300 to the first 8 persons who pay in full! FMI contact Marie Desjardins, 207-868-5027 or mariedesjardins1949@gmailcom.
Mass and Hands Around the Capitol January 18 in Augusta
The Hands Around the Capitol Rally, marking and mourning the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion, will be held on Saturday, January 18. The rally and march are being organized by the Maine Right to Life Committee, which was founded to protect and uphold the dignity and worth of every human life from conception to natural death. All are welcome to attend part or all of the event: 10 a.m. Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Church on 41 Western Ave. Augusta (celebrated by Bishop Deeley) 11 a.m. Rally with Bishop Deeley and pro-life leaders from across Maine 12:15 p.m. March to the State House 12:30 p.m. Participants join hands while the capitol bell is rung 47 times, once for each year since the Roe v. Wade ruling. For more information about the Hands Around the Capitol Rally or the Maine Right to Life Committee, visit www.MaineRighttoLife.com or call (207) 782-0101.
Maine Catholic Women’s Conference The 2020 Maine Catholic Women’s Conference is set for Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. Registration is now open at www.portlanddiocese.org/mcwc2020. The conference will feature Mass with Bishop Deeley, dynamic presentations, Eucharistic adoration, and displays from vendors and exhibitors. Gather with other women of faith to celebrate being Catholic and to be renewed in the graces of forgiveness and mercy that God provides. This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for the women in your life! Teenagers are welcome. Admission is $65 ($59 if tickets are purchased prior to February 21). Students can register for $40 (ages 16 to 23). The admission fee includes continental breakfast and lunch. For more information, please visit the registration link above.
GOSPEL MEDITATION: January 5, 2020 Epiphany of the Lord
We may walk many roads when we search for God, and He leads us all the while. The men we honor today were not Jews. The Messiah wasn’t coming for them, not in the minds of Jesus’ contemporaries. These men were astrologers. They were adept at reading portents in the sky, a practice condemned in the Mosaic covenant. Still, to the best of their knowledge and awareness, they were seeking the truth. This truth led them to journey from their own homeland to honor a king they’d never met, one they couldn’t be sure truly existed. “‘We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.’” Who do you know seeks God so tenaciously?
“Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,” the Gospel tells us. Who are the seekers in your own life? Maybe it’s your cautiously curious co-worker, the neighbor who unexpectedly found peace on a yoga retreat, or your desperately angry child who has chosen, for now, to go their own way. Perhaps they’re not overtly headed for Jesus now, not yet. But they may well be seekers of truth in ways we didn’t ex-pect. Our invitation is to listen, inquire, and give directions when ap-propriate.
The magi and modern-day seekers can inspire us as well. When is the last time you sought God’s truth so tenaciously? As believers, it can perhaps be easy to become desensitized to the Christmas sea-son and to the miraculous reality we recently celebrated. Mass may have been lovely, but so was the succulent roast beef, the crisp smell of evergreen, and the warm glow of family. Consider asking yourself, “God, do I know you as well as I should? Would I journey as far as the magi to meet You, if I could? Do I journey to meet You daily in prayer? What do those answer say about me, and about our relationship?” Perhaps we, like the magi, can once again be “overjoyed” at seeing the Light of the World.
EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - RECOGNIZE GOD IN YOUR
ORDINARY MOMENTS
Penances and Prayers
God’s glory, now, is kindled gentler than candlelight under the rafters of a barn: Eternal Peace is sleeping in the hay, And Wisdom’s born in secret in a straw-roofed stable. *
When I was younger, I wrote music to and recorded Thomas Mer-ton’s poem, “Epiphany Carol.” If you have never read it, search it out on the internet. Merton’s words are profound and paint a picture of the awesomeness of Jesus, the newborn King of Kings, lying in a simple straw bed. The shepherds and Wise Men are drawn to pay homage to the One who has been born above all others and brings with him hope for a broken world.
As Merton correctly points out, the gifts we are called to bring to this baby and lay at his feet are our prayers and penances, next to those gifts of worldly wealth. What is it that you have to bring to the stable on this feast of the Epiphany of the Lord? Unless those prayers and penances lead to a new way of living, our gifts will be void of mean-ing. What we lay before him speaks to the change in us that he has given to us by his birth. Our daily stewardship is resembled in those gifts. If we are to truly echo the kingdom of God in our lives and ac-tions, what we ultimately offer to him is no less than our entire selves. This baby will give his entire self for us, and his work must continue through our hands and feet.
While we unnumbered children of the wicked centuries Come after with our penances and prayers, And lay them down in the sweet-smelling hay Beside the wise men’s golden jars. *
