St. John of the Cross Catholic Cluster

NOTRE DAME du MONT CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL St. David St. Agatha St. Bruno - St. Remi St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel St. Luce St. Joseph (Hamlin) St. Thomas Aquinas St. Joseph (Sinclair) St. Michael (Summer Months)

NOTRE DAME DU MONT CARMEL

309 St. Thomas Street, Suite 103 Madawaska, ME 04756

Parish Office / Cluster 2 Business Office - 728-7531 notredamedumontcarmel@portlanddiocese.org

Faith Formation Office - 728-7135

OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY 379 Main St./PO Box 10, St. Agatha, ME 04772

Parish Office - 543-7447 Faith Formation Office - 543-6119

ST. PETER CHANEL 174 Main St., Van Buren, ME 04785

Parish Office - 868-2718 StPeterChanelParish@portlanddiocese.org

January 6, 2019

Pastor

Fr. James Plourde

james.plourde@portlanddiocese.org

Parochial Vicars

Fr. Antony Alexander Maria Doss, HGN

antony.mariadoss@portlanddiocese.org

Fr. Selvaraj Kasi, HGN

selvaraj.kasi@portlanddiocese.org

Deacons

Rev. Mr. Donald R. Clavette

donald.clavette@portlanddiocese.org

Rev. Mr. Rodney Deschaine

rodney.deschaine@portlanddiocese.org

Cluster 2 Business Coordinator

Greg Cyr

greg.cyr@portlanddiocese.org

Bulletin Editor E-mail

janice.dufour@portlanddiocese.org

Sacramental & Pastoral Care

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM Please call your parish office for appointment. SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Saturday before 4pm Mass or by appointment. SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE Please call your parish office at least 6 months prior to date. SACRAMENT OF THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK Please call your parish office. FUNERALS Please contact the Cluster 2 business office.

New Parishioners

If you are new to the parish or have an address or phone number change, please contact your parish office.

The Epiphany of the Lord January 6, 2019

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Mass Schedule

St. Peter Chanel Mass Schedule

Our Lady of the Valley Mass Schedule

Saturday, January 5 St. John Neumann 4:00pm SB/SR: Clarence Sirois by Marlene & Ray Maldonado

Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany of the Lord 8:00am SJ: Guy, Cecile and Children, Jeannette & George by Tom Cyr & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Albert Michaud by Jim & Jackie Duplessis

Monday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort 6:00pm SJ: Phyllis Lajoie by Gary, Diane, Tony & Kristen Vaillancourt

Tuesday, January 8 No Mass

Wednesday, January 9

6:00pm SB/SR: Our Lady of the Rosary by Joseph R.. & Connie Cote 6:30-7:00pm SB/SR: Eucharistic Adoration & Reconciliation

Thursday, January 10 No Mass

Friday, January 11 10:00am BVM: Therese Gagnon by Jean Gagnon

Saturday, January 12 4:00pm SB/SR: Kevin Cyr by His Mother & Siblings

Sunday, January 13 The Baptism of the Lord 8:00am SJ: Jerome Bell by Mom & Family 9:15am SB/SR: Kim Beaulieu by Butch & Doreen Berube

Saturday, January 5 St. John Neumann 4:00pm SA: Conrad Guerrette by Pauline Guerrette

Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany of the Lord 10:30am SL: Leo Lavoie by Joe & Joyce Tardif 4:00pm SJ: Jeannette Albert (1st Anniv.) by Charlene, Paul, Lise & Louise

Monday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort 6:00pm SA: Rose Levesque by Donna Levesque

Tuesday, January 8 8:30am SJ: Fr. Claude Albert by Rev. Msgr. Rene Mathieu

Wednesday, January 9 No Mass

Thursday, January 10 6:00pm SL: Raymond Lizotte by Rolland & Sandra Carrier

Friday, January 11 No Mass

Saturday, January 12 4:00pm SA: Clarence Sirois by Mr. & Mrs. Scott Jordan & Family

Sunday, January 13 The Baptism of the Lord 10:30am SL: Gedeon Corriveau by Family 4:00pm SJ: Reginald Bates, Raymond Malinowski, & Jay McMahon by Rosemary Bates

Saturday, January 5 St. John Neumann 4:00pm ST: Jacqueline Belanger by Anne Dechaine 6:00pm SG: Muriel Gendreau by Fernand & Dorida Sirois

Sunday, January 6 The Epiphany of the Lord 8:30am ST: Therese Fongemie by M/M Francis Morin 11:00am SD: Raymond Martin by John & Jeanne Lagasse & Family

Monday, January 7 St. Raymond of Penyafort 8:30am ST: Germaine Cyr by Family & Friends

Tuesday, January 8 9:00am-5:45pm ST: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament 6:00pm ST: Louis Philip Dionne, Jr. by Victorine Dionne & Family

Wednesday, January 9 8:30am SD: Bernard Michaud by Wife & Family Thursday, January 10 No Mass

Friday, January 11 2:00pm CVE: Leonette Gendreau by Eva Levesque 2:00pm RDG: Roland Michaud by Alex Michaud

Saturday, January 12 4:00pm ST: Pauline Migneault by France Soucy 6:00pm SG: Henry (Henri) Ouellette by Gerard & Benita Ouellette

Sunday, January 13 The Baptism of the Lord 8:30am ST: Francis McDermott by Fred Michaud 11:00am SD: Real Lausier (1st Anniv.) by Wife & Family

Abbreviations for Cluster Church Sites and Facilities

NOTRE DAME DU CARMEL OUR LADY OF THE VALLEY ST. PETER CHANEL

SD - St. David SA - St. Agatha SB/SR - St. Bruno/St. Remi SG - St. Gerard SL - St. Luce SJ - St. Joseph (Hamlin) ST - St. Thomas Aquinas SJ - St. Joseph (Sinclair) BVM - Borderview Manor CV - Country Village SM - St. Michael’s Chapel RDG - Ridgewood SJMC - St. Joseph Memory Care HVM - High View MH - Montfort Heights

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Parish Corner St. David, St. Gerard-Mt. Carmel/Grand Isle, St. Thomas Aquinas/Madawaska

LAMP FOR THE UNBORN BURNS FOR: St. David - for the unborn by a Parishioner St. Gerard - for the unborn by Jackie Daigle

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JANUARY FOR: For a Special Intention by Aldeo Belanger

ST. DAVID SANCTUARY LAMP BURNS IN JANUARY FOR: Gaetane Lagasse by Family

Worship & Spirituality

Parish Life

YEAR 2 PARENT MEETING: Monday, January 7th at 6:30pm in the St. Thomas Aquinas Church hall.

Finance & Administration

Notre Dame du Mont Carmel Financial Update Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 23, 2018

Budget: $187,500 Actual: $184,152 Under Anticipated: -$3,348

Amount given Weekly goal St. David $1,632 $1,849 St. Gerard $720 $908 St. Thomas Aquinas $4,615 $4,454 Weekly Totals $6,967 $7,212

PRAY FOR OUR SICK Anne B.C. Deschaine, Rosanne Chasse, Roger Ayotte, Lorette Chasse, Louise Gendreau, Joe Ouellette, Randy Dufour, George Dionne, Carlene Martin, Gene Lavoie, Gordon Soucy, Bernice Martin, Mike Rossignol, Joel Albert, Edwina Sirois, Aline Bouchard, James Lavoie and Tom Gagnon. FMI call 728-7135.

2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $37,553 Total pledges to date: $34,416 (92% of goal) with 172 households participating.

Faith Formation

FOR YOUR INFORMATION Please clip and save!!!

††REST IN PEACE Please pray for those who have died and for their families:

† Alfreda LeClerc, 88, who passed away on December 8th. She was a member of our parish.

† Gaetane Lagasse, 84, who passed away on December 20th. She was the mother of Albert Lagasse of our parish.

† Cecile Cyr, 75, who passed away on December 21st. She was a member of our parish.

MADAWASKA FOOD PANTRY PICK UP Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month from 7am-11am

GOOD SAMARITAN THRIFT SHOP HOURS Monday: 12pm - 4pm Thursday: 10am - 3pm Tuesday: 10am - 3pm Friday: 12pm - rpm Wednesday: 10am - 4pm

Sacramental Life

WELCOME TO OUR FAITH COMMUNITY

Liam Roy Michael Dumond Son of Michael Dumond & Lee Ann Ouellette

Janson Joseph Soucy Son of Son of Joey & Janice Soucy

Kieran James Connolly Son of Troy & Erin Connolly

YEAR 1 FAMILY FAITH FORMATION

GATHERING Sunday, January 13th

• Begins with families attending 8:30am Mass • Followed by Faith Formation in the church center

(basement). • Theme: “The Power of the Sacraments”

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION EVERY TUESDAY at St. Thomas Aquinas Church from 9am – 6:00pm. This week’s intention: For our priests and vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life, and also for our area businesses and their

workforces.

“Happy is the soul that knows how to find Jesus in the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in all things!” -St. Peter Julian Eymard

ST. GERARD LADIES OF ST. ANNE MEETING: Wednesday, January 9th at 1pm in the Chapel.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING: Monday, January 14th at Knights of Columbus Hall. Rosary at 5pm, meal at 5:15pm followed by meeting at 6pm. Theme: “Soup for the Poor” Please bring non-perishable items to the replenish the Food Pantry.

ST. DAVID LADIES OF ST. ANNE MEETING: We will be going to Highview Manor to meet residents at 2pm on Wednesday, January 15th, 2019.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA PRAYER LINE: If you are in need of prayers for you or a loved one, the Daughters of Isabella can help through the Prayer Line. This is open to anyone – not only for members. To add a name to the prayer line, contact Lorraine Talbot, 316-7035.

Prayer Line Contacts St. Joseph: Cecile Ouellette 543-6073

Worship & Spirituality Finance & Administration

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Monday’s after 6:00 p.m. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Agatha Thursday’s after 6:00 pm. Mass until 7:30 p.m. at St. Luce

Our Lady Of The Valley Parish Corner St. Agatha, St. Joseph/Sinclair, St. Luce/Frenchville, St. Michael Chapel

SANCTUARY LAMP: Burns this week: St. Agatha: For Madeliene Jalbert

Our Lady of the Valley Financial Updates

Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 16, 2018

Budget: $100,00 Actual: $97,357 Under Anticipated: -$2,643

Amount Given Weekly Goal St. Agatha $1,148 $1,876 St. Joseph $530 $629 St. Luce $1,229 $1,174 St. Michael (13 weeks) $ $791

Weekly Totals $2,907 $4,470

Community Events

SENIOR LUNCHES Frenchville: Monday, January 7th at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Pate Chinois (Shepherd’s Pie) Sinclair: Monday, January 14th at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Chicken Stew & Ployes Sinclair: Monday, January 21st at 11:30 a.m.

Menu: Meat Loaf

Sacramental Life

SACRAMENT of RECONCILIATION / CONFESSIONS Mondays at St. Agatha: After 6pm Mass Thursdays at St. Luce: After 6pm Mass

2018 CATHOLIC APPEAL UPDATE Goal: $20,424: Total pledges to date: $12,564 (62% of goal) with 67 households participating.

GIVING OF THE HEART Students at Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha

have been participating in a pilot program called “The Giving of the Heart” to provide assistance to our local community.

High school juniors and seniors go out on Friday morning into the community and help those who are still in their homes

but may be unable to do manual labor like yard work or moving furniture. If you know anyone who would benefit from this assistance,

please contact Denise Thibeault at Wisdom Middle/High School at 543-7717 or email her at dthibeault@msad33.org.

"They prostrated themselves and did him homage." The Magi were men

of great faith. Their worldly position and power could have made them

scoff at the sight of this humble infant. Their treasury of wealth could

have blinded them to the true value of this child king. But instead these

men placed themselves at the feet of Jesus in a gesture of complete

submission. Then, as a sign of their devotion, they "opened their

treasures" and offered this baby costly and precious gifts. Only a deep

and sincere faith could justify such a surprising scene.

Real faith often runs contrary to worldly wisdom. Without the firm belief

that Jesus was the Messiah, it would seem absurd to travel all those

miles and part with all that gold, much less to bow down in the presence

of a poor child. But the eyes of faith can see much more than the eyes of

the world alone. The Magi understood that all the prestige and

possessions of the earth are nothing in comparison to the kingdom of

heaven. They wanted to use their worldly wealth to give glory to the King

of Kings, rather than for their own glory.

Taking the Three Kings as models, we can examine our own lives. Are

we willing to "travel" for our faith, leaving our comfort zone for the sake of

the Gospel? Are we willing to share our "wealth" to glorify God? Are we

willing to submit our desires and plans to the authority of Christ? As we

begin the journey of this New Year, let us resolve to follow in the faithful

footsteps of the Magi.

St. Peter Chanel Parish Corner St. Bruno-St. Remi Church/Van Buren, St. Joseph Church/Hamlin & Borderview Nursing Home

Bulletin Memorials In Memory of:

Finance & Administration

Youth Ministry News

American Legion Post #49 Charlemagne Card Parties: The Card Parties will be held on Sunday’s, at 1:00pm. The entry fee is $6. The schedule is as follows: January 13th; February 10th; March 10th & April 14th. All are welcome to come enjoy an afternoon of fun and socializing.

Prayers for our Nation & World

by Glen Madore

Rachel Michaud Loth by

Frank, Chris & Dan

Verna Ouellette by husband,

Nathan

Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Sirois Families by Mike & Marie Lajoie

Patrick Thibodeau by Yolande &

Family

Ernest, Tina, & Jim Marquis

by Rita, Marge & Family

Tardif & Parent Families by

Ron & June & Family

Kim Beaulieu by uncle

Nathan Ouellette

Wilfred & Yvonne Cyr by

Colette & Fred Ayotte

Deceased Members of the Lajoie & Madore Families by

Steve & Marilyn

Roland Laverdiere by

Matilda & John

Pelletier & Charette Families

by John & Noreen

Antoine Levesque by the Pelletier Grandchildren,

Leslie, Monica & Brian

Levesque & Morrow Families

by John & Noreen

Jerome Bell by

Percy & Tina Cormier

Roger Beaulieu by

Debbie & Dave Henderson

Hayden Perreault by Greg &

Sandy Edgecomb

Romeo & Helena Cyr by

Gerald & Kathleen Cyr

Wilfred & Jeanne Lavoie by

Gerald & Kathleen Cyr

Simon L. Cyr by

Grandpa & Grandma

Cote & Beaulieu Families

by Bridget Cote & Family

Youth Ministry Meetings SPC Parish Hall: Jan. 6, 2019 - YM @SPC 6-7:30PM Jan. 13th - YM @SPC 6-7:30PM Jan. 20th - YM

ST. BRUNO-ST. REMI CHURCH SPONSORS BREAD & WINE SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Martine Pelletier (Birthday) by John & Noreen Pelletier SANCTUARY LAMP SPONSOR / IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Gagnon & Lausier Families by Phil & Joyce Gagnon

Christmas Flower Donations...Thank You!!

IN LOVING MEMORY OF: Charles Cote Jr. by Bea & Family Cheryl Cote Cyr by Mom & Family Leon Dumont by daughter, Bea & Family Joseph & Albertine Madore by daughter, Bea & Family Charles & Victoria Cote by Bea & Family Claudette Roy by Clayton, Deana & Cindy Zenzius, Lavoie & Patane Family by Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Zenzius Deceased Members of the St. Pierre & Jambard Families by Fred & Jean St. Pierre Simon Cyr by Rudy & Dinah Parent Ulyesse Bernier by Donna, Stacy & Family Glen & Barry King by Mom & Dad Pelletier & Voisine Families by Gloria & Darold Pelletier Jerome Bell by Mom & Gary Bell Page Family by Ella & Len Adam Adam Family by Ella & Len Adam U.S. Armed Forces by Ella & Len Adam Wayne, Mom & Dad by Denise Martin Clayton & Kevin St. Pierre by Becky St. Pierre Germaine & Aristide Lapierre by Becky St. Pierre Ronald Lapierre by Becky St. Pierre Bert & Rachel Levasseur by Jim & Marge Levasseur Pat & Hub Pelletier by John & Noreen Pelletier Antione Levesque by John & Noreen Pelletier Martine Pelletier by John & Noreen Pelletler Our Families by Marie Paul & Dan LaPointe Roger Martin by John & Muz Parent Bobby Lee by John & Muz Parent Aurele & Irena Cyr by John & Muz Parent Martin & Lorette Parent by John & Muz Parent Albert Sirois by Mike & Anne Marie Lajoie Catherine Sirois by Mike & Anne Marie Lajoie Raymond Lajoie by Mike & Anne Marie Lajoie Leo James & Rosalie Violette by Dick Violette Paul & Rolande Laplante by their Family Lajoie & Ouellette Family by Maxine & Family Franck Family by Harvey & Arlene Beaulieu Family by Harvey & Arlene “Cappy” Cyr by Stephen & Rebecca Cyr Jackie Power by Stephen & Rebecca Cyr Warenna Morin by Stephen & Rebecca Cyr Rodney Devost by Stephen & Rebecca Cyr Jim Walsh by his Wife & Family St. Pierre & Gagnon Families by Jackie & Family Walsh & Ackerly Families by Jackie & Family Theriault & Pelletier Families by Dan & Barb Pelletier Perreault & Lavoie Families by Conrad & Pauline St. Pierre & Gagnon Families by Pauline & Conrad Mr. & Mrs. Roger “Bee” Doucette by Karen & Don Gendreau & Family Mr. & Mrs. Conrad Gendreau by Karen & Don Gendreau & Family Elmire Bailey by Nelson Dumais

This is a partial list for the Christmas flower donations...the rest will be published next week...Thank You to all who contributed!

St. Peter Chanel Parish Financial Updates Offertory: July 1, 2018 to December 23, 2018

Budget: $68,000 Actual: $70,592 Over Anticipated: $2,592 Amt. Given $2,829 Wkly Goal $2,525 Average Collection: This yr. $2,715 Last yr. $2,699

Community Life

COMMUNITY MEETING DATES AND TIMES: DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA MEETING: 2nd Wed., Jan. 9th, 5:30pm KC 4TH DEGREE MEETING: 2nd Thurs., Jan.10th, 5:30pm COLUMBIETTES SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Wed., Jan. 16th, 5:00pm AMERICAN LEGION SUPPER/MEETING: 3rd Thurs., Jan. 17th, 5:30pm

Wanted: Bread & Wine / Sanctuary Lamp Sponsors : There are currently available dates for the 2019 year for Bread & Wine and Sanctuary Lamp sponsors. Sponsorship for Bread & Wine is $25 and Sanctuary Lamp is $15. Please consider coming into the office to reserve your dates and memorialize a family member while helping to defer costs. Thank you for your consideration. God Bless.

ST. JOHN OF THE CROSS CATHOLIC CLUSTER / DIOCESAN CORNER

ST. THOMAS GIFT SHOP St. Thomas Aquinas Church Basement

Monday-Thursday: 9am-3pm / Friday: 10am-2pm

If your work hours do not allow you to come shop while we're open, don't hesitate to call me at 728-4346 or 316-8062.

I would like to thank all of the parishioners who supported the parish gift shop with their Christmas Shopping!!

DVDs ON SALE: Relax after Christmas & Watch a Nice DVD: Extreme Mercy II - The story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - You will laugh & and maybe even cry, but he is very good at telling us how Mary brought him to her Son!! Was $21.95 NOW $16.95 No Turning Back - Also the story of Fr. Donald Calloway's conversion - Very interesting story! Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 God's Doorkeeper - The Story of St. Brother Andrée at the Oratoire St. Joseph in Montreal - a man many of us have heard of, and a place some of us have visited. Was $19.95 NOW $16.95 Restless Heart - The story of St. Augustine's conversion. St. Monica, his mother, prayed for years for her son and finally, her prayers were answered and he converted & became a saint in our church. The book of his story is a classic, so if you don't have time to read the book, sit and watch the DVD and get the real story of St. Augustine. Was $29.95 NOW $24.95 Crossing the Goal - Danny Abramowicz, coach for the New Orleans Saints and his crew who have their own program on EWTN, helping men to face their responsibilities towards their families. This is a most interesting and informative DVD. Funny at times - will definitely keep you interested! Was $24.95 NOW $19.95

Books for Kids: " GOD GAVE US ANGELS" When Papa finds Little Cub looking for angels, it gives him a chance to tell his beloved child about those that may be in their midst, even when they can't be seen. Exploring their exhilarating Arctic world as they talk, Papa lovingly answers all of Little Cub's questions about angels - and as usual, she has a lot. She wants to know what they do, how they look, how they guard God's loved ones, and best of all, how they serve the Creator of the world. $8.99

BOOKS: " Fr. Peyton's Rosary Prayer Book" The Family That Prays Together Stays Together!! "The Rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christocentric prayer. In the sobriety of its elements, it has all the depth of the Gospel message in its entirety, of which it can be said to be a compendium....With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty of the face of Christ and to experience the depths of His love. Through the Rosary, the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer." Pope John Paul II "A World at Prayer is a World at Peace!!!! $12.95

Also, Gift Certificates are always available!!

REMEMBER A BOOK IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!!

...Excerpt from Amoris Laetitia “The Joy of Love experienced by families is also the joy of the Church.” N. 1 The spousal covenant, originating in creation and revealed in the history of salvation, takes on its full meaning in Christ and his Church. Through his Church, Christ bestows on marriage and family the grace necessary to bear witness to the love of God and to live the life of communion. The Gospel of the family spans the history of the world, from the creation of man and woman in the image and likeness of God to the fulfillment of the mystery of the covenant in Christ at the end of time with the marriage of the Lamb. (n.64) Within the family ‘which could be called a domestic church’ (Lumen Gentium 11), individuals enter upon an ecclesial experience of communion among persons, which reflects through grace, the mystery of the Holy Trinity. (n. 86)

Weekly suggestion for the faithful to consider:

January 6: As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord, share with your children photos or memories from their baptism and why it was such an important day.

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje, Rome & Assisi

April 30– May 11, 2019; Cost: $3690 Canadian funds and is all inclusive with airfare, lodging, daily breakfast & dinner,

tours and entrance fees to places of interest. A deposit of $500 guarantees you a spot. FMI contact Marie May Desjardins at

207-868-5027 or e-mail mariedesjardins1949@gmail.com.

CHRISTIAN LIFE CENTER

Catholic Women's Retreat Where: Christian Life Center - Frenchville When: January 11 (6:30pm registration) to January 12 (3:00pm ends with 4:00pm Mass in St. Agatha) Theme: Be What God Wants You To Be - A Daughter of The King Cost: $60.00 Includes: Prayer/Meditation; Saturday meals; popcorn and a movie; painting with Father Alex and much more. Limited to 35 participants. Register by calling Judy at 207-728-7531

BAPTISMAL PREP CLASS: Saturday, January 19th at 9:30am in the St. Thomas Center, youth ministry room. FMI contact the business office at 728-7531.

LAVALLEE YOUTH MINISTRY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS January 6th: Meeting January 13th: Meeting at 1pm (Possible skating party) January 20th: No meeting! (March for Life-HS) January 27th: Meeting

FMI call Donna at 728-7914.

Children’s Corner

GOSPEL MEDITATION - ENCOURAGE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SCRIPTURE: January 6, 2019 - The Epiphany of the Lord

"Behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying 'Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage.'" How strange to journey so far for perhaps so little. Of course the magi go to the capitol city. Of course they entreat with King Herod. Of course this is where they expect newborn royalty to be. But where is the child? "In Bethlehem of Judea," the scribes say. And so the magi go on to what is yet another Christmas miracle. We don't know where the magi met the Christ Child, but it cannot have been lavish. Perhaps it was the stable. Perhaps it was a small hovel Joseph had found to wait out the census. But it would have been the home of a laborer, worn and threadbare. Here, in this unassuming abode, the magi are still "overjoyed...they prostrated themselves and did him homage." Have you ever gotten to the end of a great work and found the results to be underwhelming? How did you respond? Were you disappointed or elated at God's providence and your upended expectations? The magi journeyed hundreds of miles over treacherous terrain to pay homage to royalty they have seen prophesied in the stars. They encountered an ordinary family displaced from their home. This Sunday, the magi are an example for us. Can we see God in the unexpected? Do we encounter Him in the person who doesn't fit our expectations of propriety? Do we revere Christ's presence in the poor? Or do we expect to meet God only in places of honor and esteem? This week, ask God for the grace to honor Him in the unexpected places and unassuming people. He is waiting for you!

LIVE THE LITURGY - INSPIRATION FOR THE WEEK

We all have had the experience of walking into a dark room and searching for the light switch. If we are really unfamiliar with the space, anxiety, uncertainty, disorientation, and even fear can easily arise. Once we find the light, all is illuminated and we are at peace. Our light has come into the world! The glory of God has been revealed! Today's feast of the Epiphany teaches us to look to our Savior, Jesus Christ, for the way to truly be the human beings we were created to be. He shows us how to prioritize our lives, order our relationships, care for creation, and live as daughters and sons of God. God's love and creative power is universal, transcending all races and nations. Jesus brings the light of peace to a broken world that still struggles to understand itself and to you and I who also struggle to understand who we are. May we find ourselves overjoyed that we have found our truth and allow Jesus to bring light to the darkness of our lives!

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK:

First Reading The prophet Isaiah spoke these words about 500 years before the birth of Christ. In what ways do you see Isaiah's prophecy fulfilled today? Second Reading St. Paul informs the Ephesians that "the mystery made known" to him "by revelation" was that the Gentiles are "coheirs" with the Jews "in the promise in Christ Jesus." This message was very reluctantly received. Why do you think some people struggle with the idea that God desires to save all people through His Son? Gospel Reading Matthew tells us the visit of the magi "greatly troubled" King Herod and all of Jerusalem. Why do you think the good news of Jesus Christ remains a threat to some people even today?

EVERYDAY STEWARDSHIP - Recognize God in your Ordinary Moments

"The Story of the Other Wise Man" by Henry Van Dyke was first pub-lished in 1895. It tells the fictional story of Artaban, a fourth wise man who began a journey to visit Jesus, the newborn King. Unlike his fellow Magi, he failed to make it there for the birth of Jesus because he kept pausing to help various people in need. In fact, it took him about 33 years of searching before his quest comes to an abrupt end when he is hit in the head with a falling roof shingle. His final breath takes place in Jerusalem near the place where Jesus is being crucified. As he lies dying, he hears the voice of Jesus telling him that the gifts he has given all along the way to "the least of these" he has actually given to Jesus himself. If you have never read this story or seen the made-for-television movie based on the tale, you really should seek it out. It is a story that reminds us of a profound truth: Jesus himself rests in the lives of all those around us in need. In the story, it was the wise man's constant response to a stewardship call that prevented him from getting where he wanted to go. In the end, where he needed to go was more significant than where he thought he should go. If we live lives of generosity and graciousness, we may find ourselves on constant detours from the road on which we are traveling. It is in the detours and the unexpected circumstances of our journey that often times we find our true purpose in life. We think God is somewhere we must travel to, when in reality, God is closer than we think in the least likely of places.