The Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2019
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Drawing our life from the Eucharist, our parish family will live the mission of Jesus Christ through prayer, faith formation, and service. Rev. John M. Sauer, Pastor Deacon Placido Zavala The Presentation of the Lord February 2, 2019 Monday, February 3 7:15 am Liturgy of the Hours Tuesday, February 4 7:15 am Daily Mass 12:00 pm-6:00 pm Blood Drive Wednesday, February 5 6:00 am Men’s Bible Study 7:15 am Daily Mass 9:00 am Bible Study 6:30 pm REP Classes Thursday, February 6 7:15 am Daily Mass 8:00 am-10:00 pm Adoraon 6:00 pm Spanish Holy Hour 6:30 pm RCIA Friday, February 7 7:15 am Daily Mass 12:00 pm Cenacles of Life Prayer Saturday, February 8 4:00 pm Reconciliaon 5:00 pm Mass Sunday, February 9 8:00 am-12:00 pm KC Breakfast in St. Mary’s Cafeteria 8:30 am Mass 10:00 am Mass 11:45 am Spanish Mass Welcome! If you’re new to our parish, stop in the office and register with us. We’re happy you’re here! ¡Bienvenidos! Si es nuevo en nuestra parroquia, pase y regístrese con nosotros. ¡Estamos felices de que están aquí! A W ORD F ROM F R . S AUER This weekend we have a special occurrence in the liturgical year of our Church. The Feast of the Presentaon of the Lord (which some of you may remember as Candlemas) which is celebrated on February 2 falls on a Sunday. This year, it replaces the “Ordinary Time” Sunday with special readings and prayers. The Feast of the Presentaon of the Lord celebrates the Jewish ritual by which the first-born son is presented to the Lord in the Temple. As part of this ritual, the parents would offer some type of gi in thanksgiving for the birth of a son. In Mary and Joseph’s case, it was two small birds which would indicate that they were not wealthy people. This ritual would be celebrated many mes in the course of a week. But we hear that in the case of Jesus, unique events unfolded. The witness of the prophetess Anna and the holy man Simeon reveal the presence of the Lord in the life of the Holy Family. Simeon speaks a prayer we call the Nunc Dimmis and is sll used by those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours as a part of night prayer. Even praying this prayer over and over reveals new riches on which to reflect. As I thought about it for this week’s homily, I have reflected on the line, “Mine own eyes have seen the saving power of God.” It makes me wonder how o en I recognize or miss the saving power of God that is right in front of me. Blessed Pope John Paul II included a reflecon on this scene in his encyclical, Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer). He writes, “A just and God-fearing man, called Simeon, appears at this beginning of Mary's ‘journey’ of faith. His words, suggested by the Holy Spirit (cf. Lk. 2:25-27), confirm the truth of the Annunciaon. For we read that he took up in his arms the child to whom-in accordance with the angel's command-the name Jesus was given (cf. Lk. 2:21). Simeon's words match the meaning of this name, which is Savior: ‘God is salvaon.’ Turning to the Lord, he says: ‘For my eyes have seen your salvaon which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelaon to the Genles, and for glory to your people Israel’ (Lk. 2:30-32). At the same me, however, Simeon addresses Mary with the following words: ‘Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against, that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed’; and he adds with direct reference to her: ‘and a sword will pierce through your own soul also’ (cf. Lk. 2:34-35). Simeon's words cast new light on the announcement which Mary had heard from the angel: Jesus is the Savior, he is ‘a light for revelaon’ to mankind. Is not this what was manifested in a way on Christmas night, when the shepherds come to the stable (cf. Lk. 2:8-20)? Is not this what was to be manifested even more clearly in the coming of the Magi from the East (cf. Mt. 2:1-12)? But at the same me, at the very beginning of his life, the Son of Mary, and his Mother with him, will experience in themselves the truth of those other words of Simeon: ‘a sign that is spoken against’ (Lk. 2:34). Simeon's words seem like a second Annunciaon to Mary, for they tell her of the actual historical situaon in which the Son is to accomplish his mission, namely, in misunderstanding and sorrow. While this announcement on the one hand confirms her faith in the accomplishment of the divine promises of salvaon, on the other hand it also reveals to her that she will have to live her obedience of faith in suffering, at the side of the suffering Savior, and that her motherhood will be mysterious and sorrowful.” This weekend, we invite you to consecrate your family to the Holy Family. This consecraon reminds us that we are called, in our family life, to imitate the mutual love, respect, and openness to God’s will that were characterisc of the Holy Family. May you and your families be truly blessed. Baptisms Find Us Online Ellie Elizabeth Waddell Sacred Heart has a Facebook page that you can “like” to Zachary and Bridget Waddell stay up to date on Parish informaon and view Catholic January 26, 2020 content throughout the week. We also have a website that you can use to stay up to date on Church events: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew www.sacredheartowatonna.org/ within me a steadfast spirit” -Psalms 51:12 PARISH DIRECTORY Office Hours: 8 am-3 pm Monday-Thursday Parish Staff Sacred Heart Office 8 am-noon Friday Pastor: Fr. John Sauer Deacon: Dcn. Placido Zavala 810 S. Cedar Ave, Owatonna, MN 55060 Weekend Mass Schedule Parish Administrator: Sandy Strand Phone .............................. (507) 451-1588 Saturday 5 pm; Sunday 8:30 am and 10 am Parish Admin. Assistant: Jordan Guerrez Website ................ www.sacredheartowatonna.org Spanish Liturgy Sunday 11:45 am Music/Pastoral Ministries: Garrick Comeaux Bulletin Deadline: Tuesdays by noon Eucharistic Adoration Religious Educaon: Dan Bauer ..... 507-446-2302 Dennis Paulson Holidays may affect deadline. Thursdays 8 am to 10 pm Custodian: We may edit arcles for content and length. St. Mary’s School Phone Number: 507-446-2300 Send arcles to: Offi[email protected] Reconciliation St. Mary’s School Principal: Jennifer Swanson Announcements are also due Tuesdays by noon. Saturdays 4 pm-4:45 pm O UR F AITH C OMMUNITY “Come to me, all who labor and are burdened, and Church in Central and Eastern Europe I will give you rest.” This collecon provides aid to the Church in Central and The Catholic Community Mass of Anoinng and Healing for Eastern Europe through bishops’ conferences of Central Owatonna and surrounding areas will be held on February and Eastern Europe and the ex-Soviet Union to meet the 11, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bienaventurada needs of rebuilding the Church. It focuses on training Virgen Maria de Lourdes, and World Day of the Sick, at 11 seminarians and lay leaders, supporng social service am at St. Joseph’s Parish. Lunch to follow. Confessions will programs, youth ministry, pastoral and catechecal be heard at 10:30 am. All parishioners of Sacred Heart, St. centers, schools, church construcon and renovaon, and Joseph, Christ the King, Holy Trinity, and Independent and evangelizaon through Catholic media. You can find Assisted Living Facilies and Nursing Homes are welcome envelopes for this collecon in your bundles. The collecon and encouraged to aend. The anoinng of the sick will is taken on Ash Wednesday, which is February 26. take place during the Mass. If transportaon is a problem, World Day for Consecrated Life please call Kathy Schleif at 507-451-2132 by February 7, God of all goodness, you have called people to follow you and we will try to accommodate your needs. faithfully. Humans have heard that call and many choose to follow your call in varied and faith-filled lives. Some follow Next weekend is Food Share Sunday your call in private, silent lives as hermits; some choose to There will be baskets at the Church entrances to collect follow you with lives lived as virgins and widows; while non-perishable food and personal care items. Thank you others choose public lives of vowed men and women as for your generosity! religious brothers and sisters. Abundantly give to these men and women the courage to follow their call as St. Vincent de Paul Society witnesses to your gi s and faith and service to the world. February 2—Presentaon of the Lord: In the Gospel, we We ask this in faith through the name of Jesus our Savior. hear Simeon say to Mary: “… your own soul shall be Amen. pierced with a sword—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be laid bare.” Your generosity enables the Society of A Word from the Holy Father St. Vincent de Paul to bring hope to parents whose hearts “It is true that going out on to the street implies the risk of are burden with worries and concerns.