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NEW YEAR’S DAY/MARY THE
MOTHER OF GOD: The oldest feast of Mary is the
feast of Mary, the Mother of God, which is celebrated on
January 1, New Year’s Day. This feast of Mary, the Mother of
God, is celebrated within the Christmas season because of
the unique role Mary placed in the Incarnation, the birth of
Christ. Each diocese must set aside one feast of Mary each
year as a special day to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Today we honor the one who was first honored by God in being
called to be the mother of the Saviour.
EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT: Over the years opportunities for
adoration of the Blessed Sacrament were given to the people
who wished to spend some time during the day before the
Blessed Sacrament in prayer. It is important that someone be
present while the Blessed Sacrament is exposed. If you
intend to be present at a particular time you are encouraged
to sign the book available in All Hallows Church on Sundays
and during the week. If you are from Holy Redeemer Parish
you may call Mary Lannon at All Hallows Parish office
(634-7384) and let her know when you will be there on the
First Friday of the month. Adoration will begin after the
8:30 a.m. Mass and end with Benediction at 4:30 p.m.
WORLD DAY OF PEACE:
The World Day of Peace is celebrated on New Year’s Day.
As a new year begins we pause to think of peace and the
responsibility we have to promote it on every
level-personal, family, local and global. The Sacred
Scriptures were written against a background of war,
conquest and expanding empires. Images of war and peace are
very much a part of our sacred writings. Isaiah spoke of one
who would be called Prince of Peace. On the wall of the
United Nations building are the words of Isaiah, “They will
hammer their swords into ploughshares, their spears in
sickles; nations will not sword again nation: there will be
no more training for war.” (Isaiah 2:4) Let there be peace
on earth and let is begin with us.
A NEW YEAR:
It’s a new year, 365 days to enjoy, to celebrate, to live,
to give. 365 days to taste what I am tasting, to see what I
am seeing, to be really aware of what I’m doing; 365 days to
hold the door open for the next person; 365 days to keep my
word as well as to really hear the words of those around me;
365 days to pray not just in times of need, but to pray
daily, prayers of thanks and praise for all our daily gifts
and blessings. May your new year be filled with many
blessings. May you see the challenging times as
opportunities for growth and therefore blessings in their
own way. May your year be marked with health and happiness,
joy and peace.
PRAYER AT THE END OF THE YEAR:
All praise and glory are yours, Father of heaven and earth,
Lord of all ages: you have brought us to the end of another
year in your service. We praise you for the gifts you have
given us, and for the ways we have been led to use them for
your people and for your world.
Forgive us, Father, for our failures this year: for
neglecting your word, for failing to listen to your Spirit,
for refusing to love you in others.
As we begin a new year in your service, let your Son be our
leader and your Spirit our guide, your word a lamp for our
feet and strength for our hearts. Help us to work for your
honor and glory and for the salvation of all your people.
Praise and honor and glory are yours, Father, through your
Son, our Lord and brother, in the love and unity of your
Holy Spirit now and evermore.
COME AND SEE:
The Holy Spirit Charismatic Prayer Group will be meeting
every Monday, starting on January 9, 2011 at 7 p.m. in the
Cathedral. The purpose of a charismatic prayer meeting is to
foster a personal and continuous conversion to Jesus Christ,
openness to the presence, power, and gifts of the Holy
Spirit, a deep love of the Church and its work of
Evangelization, a strong fellowship, and a joyful zeal for
the Gospel. All are welcome.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE
HIGHEST: The Gloria, an ancient hymn dating to
the early Church, is prayed every Sunday except during
Advent and Lent, as well as on solemnities and feasts of the
Lord. The hymn brings together images and phrases from
Scripture and Tradition. It begins with the words of the
angels to the shepherds on the night of Christ’s birth:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people
of good will: (ICEL; see Luke 2:14). Then we sing, “We
praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we
give you thanks for your great glory...” Our praise to God
cannot be contained in one word, but overflows in many words
of praise. Then we call on the Lord in a crescendo of titles
for God: “Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.”
The Gloria then moves to a litany in which we implore
Christ’s mercy on us, and concludes with a great crescendo
of praise, acknowledging who Christ is: the holy one, the
Lord, the Father’s only Son. In the Gloria, we raise, with
one voice, the song of the angels.
CONFIRMATION:
Through Confirmation we affirm the faith into which we were
baptized and open ourselves all the more to the working of
the Spirit through the gifts of wisdom, understanding, right
judgement, courage, knowledge, reverence and wonder and awe
of the Lord. Those who are in Grade Eight or over who have
not been confirmed are invited to fill out a registration
form (Registration for Religious Education) available at the
back of the church and drop it in the parish office.
FAMILY CATECHETICS:For
information, contact Angela Murphy, at 634-5161 or 634-6856.
JANUARY SCHEDULE: 6:30 p.m.
Kdgn - Monday - January 9
Year 1 - Tuesday - January 10
Year 2 - Wednesday - January 11
Year 3 - Monday - January 16
Year 4 - Tuesday - January 17
Year 5 - Wednesday - January 18
Year 6 - Thursday - January 19
CONFIRMATION FOR ADULTS:
For one reason or another, some people over the years did
not receive the sacrament of Confirmation. We want to
provide an opportunity for them to do so. Those interested
are asked to call the parish office before Thursday at
634-5161.
BECOMING A CATHOLIC:
If you have been wondering about the Catholic Faith with a
possible view of becoming a member of the Church some day,
and would like to know more about the Church, our beliefs
and practices, you may participate in a process called the
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.). For more
information call the parish office at 634-5161.
NOTE OF THANKS:
The priests of the parish would like to express their
thanks to all those who sent cards and gave gifts during
Christmas. Your thoughtfulness and generosity is greatly
appreciated.
CELEBRATION OF THE
SACRAMENTS: There are many children in the parish
who are in the elementary school level or over who, for one
reason or another, have not received the Sacraments of
Reconciliation and Eucharist.We will be preparing a special
program for them this year so that they can prepare for the
sacraments in their own age group instead of with younger
children. This is a wonderful opportunity and it is never
too late to catch up on matters as important as this.
MINISTRY NEEDS:
We are in need of more readers and communion ministers
especially for the Saturday and Sunday evening Masses.
Please give us a call if you are willing to participate in
the Mass in this way.
A NEW YEAR TO BE INVOLVED:
Some Ministry Forms on the tables outline some of
the ways we can be involved in our parish. A new year
present, a new opportunity for us.
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