So the Levites read from the book, from the Law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading

(Nehemiah 8:8)

The first reading of the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time tells us how Israelites listened to the Word of God and how lectors performed their job in the liturgical assembly. This event, which took place when the people of God returned from the Babylonian captivity to the Promised Land, reminds us not only of the great value and importance that the Word of God has but also of how serious duty binds those who proclaim it. Today I would like to say a few words about performing the ministry of the Word. We are happy that we have volunteers who read the liturgical readings during Sunday and weekday Masses. This ministry requires not only a good pronunciation and some skills of the oratorical art but also the awareness of what is the Word of God. The Word of God has in itself power to create, change and act. In the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, God created man and the whole world by His word. He said a word and everything was done according to the word. In the Gospels Jesus healed many people from physical and spiritual diseases by His word. The Word of God is holy and it is to be treated respectfully. During the liturgy lectors read the Word of God from the liturgical books that are designated to be used in the liturgy: The Lectionary and Book of the Gospels. Out of the great respect for the Word of God and for the liturgy we are not to read liturgical readings from any other sources such as brochures, pamphlets, loose sheets of paper or binders. They may be more practical but are not suitable for the liturgy. By the same reason we should put The Lectionaries and Book of the Gospels in a proper place.

This Monday, January 28th, we observe a memorial of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Priest and Doctor of the Church, who was outstanding in his zeal for holiness and his study of sacred doctrine.
On Thursday, January 31st, we celebrate a memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest and Founder of Salesians, who was a father and teacher of the young and whose teaching was motivated by charity and gentleness.
This week we also observe the first Friday and the first Saturday of the month with Masses respectively at 8 and 10 am.
God bless,
Father Peter

Today we celebrate the 2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Each liturgical year is split in seasons of: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time. The highest number of weeks is within Ordinary Time. This season is split in two parts. A shorter one begins on Monday after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord and ends on Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. The longer part runs from the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, which falls on Monday after Pentecost Sunday, to Saturday before the 1^st Sunday of Advent. During Ordinary Time, the Church celebrates the fullness of the mystery of the Lord Jesus Christ emphasizing the first day of the week (Sunday) as the day dedicated to the Lord. Sunday, the Lord’s Day, is the original Christian Feast Day, that has been observing since the apostolic times as the day of the Resurrection of the Lord. Sunday is the oldest feast day in the Church. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Sunday celebration of the Lord’s Day and his Eucharist is at the heart of the Church’s life. Sunday is the day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the universal Church (2177). Sunday is also a day of grace and rest from work. The Catechism teaches that on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of the works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body. Family needs or important social service can legitimately excuse from the obligation of Sunday rest. The faithful should see to it that legitimate excuses do not lead to habits prejudicial to religion, family life, and health (2185).

We are truly blessed and privileged that we have this opportunity to have the Eucharist every Sunday. Due to a shortage of priests and other serious circumstances in many regions of the world, even in Canada, the faithful cannot praise the Lord with the Sunday Eucharist on weekly basis.

This Sunday we also observe a World Day of Migrants and Refugees instituted by Pope St. Pius X in 1914.

The annual week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be concluded with the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul, the Apostle, which falls this Friday.

God bless,

Father Peter

Join us on January 26th at 7:30 p.m. in the church hall for a Movie night. The film will be “Paul, Apostle of Christ”. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided.