Ordinary Time

My dear friends in Christ,

This past Tuesday, the Church returned to Ordinary Time. Depending on the year, it encompasses either 33 or 34 weeks, broken into two distinct portions of the calendar, the first ending on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, and the second beginning on the Monday after Pentecost and running until evening prayer I of the First Sunday of Advent. Ordinary Time takes its name from the fact that the weeks are numbered ordinarily in a series. During both periods of Ordinary Time, the emphasis in the Mass and the Church's daily prayer is on Christ's teaching and His life among His disciples. We begin with the meeting between Jesus and John the Baptist. John knew that he was not the Christ; he simply was the forerunner of Christ. His role was to prepare the people for the Messiah. He did this with great zest as he preached repentance and salvation. Each of us has a role in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit enables everyone to have a part in the work of God. We should recognize the gifts that God has given us, accept our role, and fulfil that role with all our hearts and minds.

There are still masses available in our Mass Book for January and February. January dates available are 25, 26,27,30,31 at 8:00am. Sunday January 29 at 7:30 and 11:30am. February dates available are 9,10,15,17,20,21,28 at 8:00am. Please stop by or call the rectory if you would like to have a mass intention celebrated for a loved one.

And finally, special thanks to MaryAnn, Karen, Lola, Jim and Gary for returning our Church to ordinary time. Cohort and Financial update coming soon.

Fr. John