I. Encountering Jesus in the Stranger: “Every stranger who knocks at our door is an opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ, who identifies with the welcomed and rejected strangers of every age (Matthew 25:35-43). The Lord entrusts to the Church’s motherly love every person forced to leave their homeland in search of a better future” (Pope Francis). Today, January 14, 2018, is the 104th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
II. First Reconciliation will be celebrated this Sunday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m. Is there anything more essential to our Christian life than the act of forgiveness? Let’s celebrate God’s magnificent and generous mercy! Pray for those preparing for this powerful Sacrament; pick up a prayer partner card at our church doors.
III. Annual Priests’ Convocation at St. Meinrad Archabby Monday noon thru Thursday late afternoon. We will have Mass on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. and again on Friday at 7:00 a.m. and 12:05 p.m. (no Mass at SSC on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday). Pray for Bishop Medley and all the priests of the Owensboro Diocese this week. We rely upon it!
IV. Youth Minister: our parish has begun to advertise for a Youth Minister position at the Cathedral for our middle school and high school parishioners.
V. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins Thursday, January 18th through Thursday, January 25th, Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul. Theme: “Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power” (Exodus 15:6). Let’s join hands and hearts together in praying for a greater understanding and respect for Christians of different denominations. The divisions in Christianity continue to be a scandal; let’s pray for unity among us.
VI. Sick, Hospitalized, Surgery: if you are facing surgery, Fr. Jamie or I would be honored to celebrate the Sacrament of Anointing with you-please call the office. If you or a loved one is hospitalized, please let us know. We visit the hospital most every day; our office number is 270-683-6525. If you are admitted to the hospital or a nursing home, ask to be put on the Catholic list, St. Stephen Cathedral.
VII. Grazia, Merci, Danka, Gracias, Thank you! What a magnificent Christmas season it has been, celebrating the Birth of our Savior, the Mystery of the Incarnation, culminating in the Christmas Feast of Epiphany, the Revelation or Manifestation that God wanted the whole world to meet his Son and our Savior, Jesus. On behalf of the parish pastoral team, Fr. Jamie, and me, I want to thank you for your many expressions of the season: homemade goodies, wine & fruit, phone calls & text messages, open houses, gifts, cards and prayers!
TMIY—That Man is You! Returns this Thursday, January 18th, at 6:30 a.m. in the Vaughan Community Center. “St. Joseph, the Heart of a Father.”