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YOU ARE NOT ALONE
King Louis XI was deeply impressed when an astrologer correctly foretold that a lady of the court would die in eight days’ time. Deciding, however, that the too-accurate prophet should be disposed of, Louis summoned the man to his apartment. The King had told his servants to throw the astrologer out of the window when he gave the signal.
When the man arrived, the King said to him, “You claim to understand astrology and to know the fate of others, so tell me at once what your fate will be and how long you have to live.” The astrologer answered, “I shall die just three days before your Majesty.” The shaken king canceled his plans!
Another King receives a prediction, and he chooses to honor his future. How quickly we move from the magic and wonder of Christmas day to the uneasy foreshadowing of Good Friday! Mary and Joseph bring the infant Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem for the dedication rite of the first born. There they meet Simeon who “would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.”
For Simeon it is indeed the moment of a lifetime that shows the fulfillment of God’s promise to him and to the world. To hold the Son of God in his arms must have been an awesome experience!
Old Simeon pronounces a blessing on Jesus and then warns Mary that both she and her son are destined for troubling times: “and a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”
The sword that will pierce Mary will inch its way ever deeper into her heart as Jesus experiences rejection that ends at the cross. And so just as the old man’s wrinkled skin contrasts with the new, soft and cuddly flesh of the baby he holds, so also now we hear of a message of pain and conflict that contrasts with the joy and delight of a new born baby.
Doesn’t a part of you want to pull Simeon aside and tell him to keep his comments positive and happy? Hold the talk about the sword for another day. Can’t this new mother and father just enjoy this day without the gloom and doom prediction? “Get with it, Simeon, and keep the conversation light!”
Yet it is precisely this spectrum of promise and pain that shouts forth the infant’s love for us and his mother’s amazing sacrifice for Him as for us. Neither was denied incredible moments of joy and horrific moments of suffering.
Do you think Mary every completely blocked out the memory of Simeon’s haunting words? Probably not. But what she held to as a God greater than any early sadness – a God who somehow would deliver her son to his resurrection and protect her heart from the absolute tearing of the sword.
If your days are bookend with lots of positives, seize those blessings with awareness and gratitude. If the sword threatens the treasurers of your life – family, health, career – you are not alone. Believe in Mary’s presence to protect you and to preserve your faith in those tough, tough times.
Mass Intentions & Daily Readings
Tuesday, January 6th: ferial
12:05 pm:
1 John 4.7-10, Mark 6.34-44
Wed. January 7th: ferial
12:05 pm:
1 John 4.11-18, Mark 6.45-52
Thurs. January 8th: ferial
12:05 pm:
1 John 4.19-5.4, Luke 4.14-22a
Fri. January 9th: ferial
12:05 pm:
1 John 5.5-13, Luke 5.12-16
Sat. January 10th: ferial
5:15 pm: Deceased Winkler Family
1 John 5.14-21, John 3.22-30
Readings for
Sunday, January 11th: Baptism of the Lord
10 a.m.: Pro Populo
1st Reading: Isaiah 55.1-11
2nd Reading: 1 John 5.1-9
Gospel: Mark 1.7-11
SANCTUARY LIGHT
The light burns this week for
Patricia Cull
Please pray for all who are ill, especially
Adelide & Gary Callahan, Brian English, Fr. John Campbell, C.S.C., Lorraine Hygaard, Kortney Knight, Helen McGrath, John Kearney, Ann Vince McGrady, Peggy Gilligan, Evelyn Bennett, Margaret Landry, Catherine Leithwood, Patricia Cull, Madeleine Corrigan and Maria Jose Bouey.
Welcome to Our Parish Family
Baptized
December 21, 2008
Naomi Ella Bachan
Ani Patrice Bachan
Samaya Grace Bachan
daughters of Michael & Denise
Brianna Denesha Berry
daughter of Clement & Antonia
Ruby Grace Turnbull
daughter of Paul & Alison
Marriage Course
at Holy Name Parish
Monday evenings ( 7 weeks)
Starting February 16th – March 30th, 2009
7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
in the parish hall (classroom)
$130.00 per couple
any couple who plan to get married need to take this course - please call the rectory office for further details.
Offertory Envelope Boxes for 2009
Please call Pamela at the Parish Office during office hours if
· You have a change in your name/address; or
· If you name/address is incorrect; or
· If you are a new parishioner and would like to have a box assigned to you; or
· If you cannot find your box
Thank you for all those who have already picked up their envelopes!
PARKING VOUCHERS
Are still available at the parish office. You can use these parking vouchers only from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sundays Only. The parking authority of Toronto Carparks #17 and 137. West side of Pape Ave. north of Danforth. East side of Gough Ave, north of Danforth. If you would like to buy one the cost is only a one time fee of $5.00.
PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING
Did you know that there are multiple collections that PAG does not cover (e.g. Initial Offering, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Christmas, etc?)
Confirmation Information Meeting
Thursday, January 8, 2009
at 7 pm in the church
If you would like to have the “Sanctuary Candle” dedicated to a loved one; please call the rectory during office hours. The usual donation is $10. The dedication will be placed in the bulletin.
INFORMATION SESSION FOR PARENTS WHO’S CHILDREN WILL BE RECEIVING 1ST HOLY COMMUNION
Thursday, January 15th,2009 at 7 p.m. in the church
Church Decorating For Christmas
Thank you to Nora & Ann Gilbride, Jocelyn Phillips, Lori Power and her helpers for decorating the church for Christmas.
2009 MISSALS
2009 Missals are available to be purchased at all the Masses. The cost is $5.00. |  | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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