FIFTH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME: In the readings for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time each of the main figures (Job, Paul, and Jesus) is confronted with stressful circumstances. While the tensions are different for each, they are not unique to our contemporary experiences in living out our baptismal call. Motherinlaw jokes used to be a staple of standup comics. The comic strip Hagar the Horrible continues the tradition even today, often with Hagar taking off on a voyage just as Helga’s mother arrives for an extended visit. In Mark’s Gospel, Simon’s motherinlaw appears not as a comic foil but as someone through whom the power of God is made manifest. When Jesus cures her of a fever, she is restored to her position in the community, offering the customary hospitality to guests. In what way has God’s power been made manifest in our own lives?

SAINTS DURING THIS WEEK:
Feb. 6 – St. Peter Baptist, St. Paul Miki and companions: Paul Miki, a Jesuit, and his twentyfive companions, including two other Jesuits, six Franciscans (St. Peter Baptist), fifteen tertiaries, and two laymen, were crucified by the order of the ruler Hideyoshi Feb. 5, 1597 at Nagasaki. They were canonized in 1862 by Pope Pius IX. Feb. 7 – St. Colette of Corbie was born in France in 1381. After the death of her parents, she joined the Third Order of St. Francis and for some tine lived as a recluse. She joined the Poor Clares, and with the Pope’s permission, brought back many monasteries of the First and Second Order to the primitive observance of the Franciscan way of life. She died in 1447. Feb. 8 – St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhta: St. Jerome was born in Venice in 1486, He first embraced the military life but later dedicated himself to helping the poor. He founded the Order Of Clerks Regular of Somascha, which supports orphans and the poor. St. Josephine was born around 1869 in Sudan and raised in the Islamic faith. She was kidnapped around the age of seven by slave traders. She was sold a number of times. She was bought by an Italian Consul who brought her to Italy to serve as a nanny. She was formally introduced to the faith by the Canossian Sisters, was baptized and granted her freedom. In 1896 she joined the Canossian Daughters of Charity. She died in 1947 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II on October 1, 2000. Feb. 10 – St. Scholastica was born in 543 at Monte Cassino and is the twin sister of St. Benedict. Feb. 11 – Our Lady of Lourdes – In 1858 The Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette and proclaimed herself “The Immaculate Conception.” Through this humble girl, Mary called sinners to conversion and enkindled within the Church a great zeal for prayer and charity, especially service to sick and poor.

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: Pope John Paul II designated Feb 11 as World Day of the Sick, “a special time of prayer and sharing, of offering one’s suffering for the good of the Church and of reminding us to see in our sick brother and sister the face of Christ who, by suffering, dying, and rising, achieved the salvation of humankind’ (Letter Instituting the World Day of the Sick, May 1992). Guatemalans: This past week I met with some members of the Guatemalan community and some officials of the Diocese to discuss the possibility of having a Mass for them weekly. There is a large community of Guatemalans that live in our parish boundaries. There is a Mass at Sacred Heart in Lake Worth but for many it is too difficult and too far to attend, therefore, they do not participate in Mass. We are looking into this situation. The group that I met with was very enthusiastic and hopeful that we could minister to them.

CATHOLICS RETURNING HOME: Many have seen the commercial on TV about Catholics who have been away from church and coming back to church. Last Lent our Evangelization Committee held a program for returning Catholics. We shall have this program again this year starting in Lent. It will be held on the Thursdays of Lent. If you know of anyone who is Catholic and has been away from the Church, please let them know about this program. If you are uncomfortable with inviting someone give us the name and address and the Committee will invite the person. They will not have to know how we received their name. There is another way that you can help us. Pray that nonpracticing Catholics will be open to the call of the Lord and that this program will be successful. Thank You for your support.

WE ARE NOW COLLECTING LEFT OVER BLESSED PALMS TO BURN FOR ASH WEDNESDAY. PLEASE PLACE YOUR PALMS IN THE BASKETS IN THE NARTHEX.
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Ash Wednesday February 22nd
Ashes will be distributed during Mass
6:30AM, 8:00AM, 10:00AM, 12:00PM & 5:30PM

A Prayer for the New Year
Gracious God,
as we begin this New Year, we give you thanks and praise for
the blessings of the past.
Forgive our sins and failures and help us to forgive those who
have hurt us.
Bless each moment of the coming year.
Help us to grow in wisdom in your sight.
May we often sing your praise and bring your peace to those
we meet.
Keep us close to Your heart and have mercy on us.
Amen