Text Box: prepare to receive her Son, Jesus, in Holy Communion in May. Pray also for their families and catechists. PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD CANDLEMAS This feast is celebrated next week; on Monday, February 2nd . It could be considered the closing of the season of lights so evident during Christmastime. The gospel for this feast proclaims the words of Simeon that the infant Jesus will be “a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your people Israel” (Luke 2:32). This feast was celebrated in Jerusalem as early as the 4th century. It originally commemorated the purification of Mary, in accordance with Jewish law, 40 days after Jesus’ birth: “When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought Him up to Jerusalem so that He could be presented to the Lord, for it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every first-born male shall be consecrated to the Lord”. (Luke 2:22-24: see Leviticus l2:6-7). By the mid-5th century, this feast was celebrated in Rome on February 2 with the addition of a candlelight procession. This procession seems to have originated as a substitute for a similar pagan torch procession of expiation around the city walls. A hint of this penitential and expiatory theme continued until recent times with the wearing of purple vestments. The day eventually received the popular title of Candlemas (Candle Mass) because candles were blessed before the Mass and procession. Today, this feast is called the Presentation of the Lord. Candles are still blessed and some form of procession will be held. Another feast associated with the mystery of the Incarnation and, therefore, with Christmas, is the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord. It has been celebrated on March 25 in the Western church since before the middle of the 7th century. The theme of the feast remembers God’s decision, communicated to Mary through the angel messenger Gabriel that she would be the mother of an unusual child: “Great will be his dignity and He will be called Son of the Most High”. (Luke 1-32). The blessing of candles will be during 8.00am, 10.30am (NOLM) & 6.00pm Extraordinary Form Mass On that day we will start the Novena Prayer & Masses before the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, February 11th. ST. BLAISE AND BLESSING OF THROATS Some Sacramentals have become very closely associated with the church year, occurring on the same day each year. An example of one such popular sacramental ritual is the blessing of throats on the feast of St. Blaise, February 3. This bishop saint suffered martyrdom early in the 4th century. The history of the early Church says that he was a physician before becoming a bishop. While in prison, he miraculously cured a young boy who was choking from a fishbone in his throat. St. Blaise became one of the most popular saints during the Middle Ages, being invoked as a helper in times of sickness related to the throat. The tradition of blessing the throats of parishioners with two crossed candles has been popular for centuries. In our church, Blessing of the throats will be on Saturday, February 3rd, Text Box: during 8.00am 6.00pm Holy Masses. HOLY MASS INTENTIONS: We still have empty spots for Holy Mass intentions at the first part of February. If you would like to have Holy Mass celebrated for your intention, or your loved ones, living or dead, please contact the Parish Office. PRAY FOR ALL THE SICK: For all who are sick: members of our families, friends, parishioners, and, especially: Fr. Joseph Fiedorowicz; Titus Ekanem; Maynard & Irene Omernik; Andy & Vic Miloslavich; Martin Koch; Bro. Paul McCarthy; Jenny Maderious; Donald Braten; Nellie Lydon; Dave Van Sciver; Harry Garland; Maria Leskiw; Fr Teo Palis; Fr Vladimir Kozina; Sister Antonette Fong; Martha Tork; Lianne Claver; Rowland Sum; Emil Soljack; Margaret Olivier-Leary; Debbie Edwards; Bill Miller; Hugo da Silva; William Miller; Juan & Nancy Duenas; Theresa Dinh; Irene Omernik; Hugo da Silva; Debbie Mansfield and her baby son Clement; Kathy Faulkner; Catherine Lindsey; Thomas Henriksson; Gia Behrens; Teresa Price; Jose Isidro; Brent Braun; Roger Dorn; Maureen Nassiri; Victor Kish; Simon Tang; and those whose names are written in the Book of the Sick, and all sick people in the entire world. PRAY FOR OUR SERVICEMEN & SOLDIERS: Robert Hoops; Thomas Campana; Brian Duka-Smith; Connor O’Keefe; Matthew Valenzuela; Steven Mayer; & other American soldiers and servicemen. FEBRUARY 11th – HOLY MASS FOR THE SICK - 8:00am The late Holy Father John Paul II established February 11th every year as the International Day of Prayer for the sick. This year we would also like to anoint our sick parishioners, relatives and friends on Wednesday, Feb. 11th, at 8.00am and on another day: Saturday February 14 at 12.00Noon. After Holy Communion, the Anointing of the Sick will take place. Please give transportation to your loved one who would like to be anointed on those days. We mailed a special letter about the Novena Masses (9 Holy Masses) with the form you can use to write down the names of your loved ones who are ill or sick (please use all capital letters). Extra forms you can find next to the Parish Bulletin in our church. We will pray for their intentions, and their names will be entered in the Book of Prayer for the Sick. That book will be placed in Our Lady’s chapel (in front of the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes). The dates and times of the Holy Masses for the intentions of our sick people are as follows: Monday, Feb. 2, 2009 – 10.30am - (NOLM) Friday, Feb. 6, 2009 – 9.30am - (E) Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 – 5.00pm - (E)