Join us at Sacred Heart Cathedral on January 27 at 7:00 - 9:00 pm for an incredible Encounter with Jesus. Led by Mark Mallet, a Canadian Catholic Singer/songwriter, who has recently launched a powerful new ministry of a single two hour event with music, message, and Adoration called an "Encounter With Jesus". Music CDʼs, books, etc. will be available for purchase afterwards— A free will offering will be taken up in support of Mark’s ministry.
For more information go to www.markmallett.com
Join us for 24 weeks of a Great Adventure Journey through the Bible ever Friday morning at 10:15am - Noon at Sacred Heart Cathedral
Young Adult Catholic Faith Events for those in University or the workforce, 18 - 30yrs old on Sunday night
- Jan 8 - Feb 5 - DVD series Freedom to Love with Christopher West
- Feb 26 - Mar 25 - Untold Blessings DVD series with Fr Robert Barron
Marriage Preparation Program at Sacred Heart Cathedral
Thursdays for 6 consecutive weeks beginning Thursday February 2 at 7pm.
For more information call Lennie, 250-372-2581.
In the first part of January we continue to rejoice and celebrate Christ's coming at Bethlehem and in our hearts. We have the wonderful feasts of Mary, Mother of God, where we honor Mary's highest title, and then we follow the Magi to the crib as they bring their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh on Epiphany. Finally we reach the culmination of this season with the Baptism of Our Lord by St. John the Baptist. With a touch of sadness we take down our decorations and enter into the liturgical period known as Ordinary Time where we will devote ourselves to the mystery of Christ in its entirety.
This is a time of growth and an opportunity to allow the dignity of Sunday to shine forth, prolonging the joy of Easter and Pentecost. Besides those previously mentioned the month's major feasts include: St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen (January 2), Holy Name of Jesus (January 3), St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (January 4), St. John Neumann (January 5), St. Anthony, abbot (January 17), Sts. Fabian & Sebastian (January 20), St. Agnes (January 21), St. Francis de Sales (January 24), the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), St. Timothy and Titus (January 26), St. Angela Merici (January 27), St. Thomas Aquinas (January 28) and St. John Bosco (January 31).
The feast of St. Vincent of Saragossa (January 22) is superseded by the Sunday liturgy.
During Ordinary Time, the Church celebrates the fullness of the mystery of the Lord Jesus. The people of God offer praise by celebrating the Paschal Mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
On the first day of the week, the Lord's Day, God assembles the beloved people to hear the word, to reflect upon it, to offer the living sacrifice of praise, and to eat and drink the banquet of the Lord. Then God sends them forth to proclaim this love by their words and actions.
Sunday is the original Christian feast day, following the tradition handed down from the apostles' time, for this was the day of the Lord's resurrection. Today's Christian communities continue this tradition by celebrating every Sunday as the day of the risen Lord.
Ordinary Time begins after the feast of the Baptism of Jesus and ends on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. During the Sundays of these weeks the readings are remembering the many aspects surrounding the life of Christ.
The Mass admits of limitless levels and layers of understanding. A richness of outward signs points to inward realities of grace; sensible symbols become gateways to the mystical realm. The Church wisely uses externals – words, gestures, and material things we can see, hear and smell – to surround the sacred mysteries that will sanctify her children.
With urgency, therefore, the Magisterium encourages us to participate fully and actively in the liturgical sacrifice: by coming to it with proper dispositions; by offering our lives with the sacrifice of Christ our High priest; by growing in our knowledge and appreciation of the Mass; and by leading our children, through instruction and example, to a deeper understanding and love of the faith and the liturgy.
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