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Home , 26 Martyrs of Japan

4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JANUARY 31, 2016

Confession Hours: LECTORS FOR NEXT WEEKEND: Saturday: 3:45 until 4:10pm Sat. 4:15 p.m…..Gwen Sun. 9:30 a.m…Justine Sunday: 9:10 until 9:25am, 11:00 until 11:25am Think you might want to be a lector? Talk to Barb Dapriele.

Faith, hope, and love remain, these three; TODAY’S READINGS First Reading — God appoints as prophet to the nations but the greatest of these is love. (Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19). — 1 Corinthians 13:13 Psalm — I will sing of your salvation (Psalm 71). Theme: Jesus’ words and love are for everyone! Second Reading — Love with its many facets is the most important of the Step One: Listen to the Word virtues (1 Corinthians 12:31 — 13:13 [13:4-13]). As you hear this reading, what words or phrases strike you? Gospel — When Jesus claims his salvific mission is for all people, not just What in this reading touches your heart? What lingers in your the Jews, he is expelled by the enraged members of the Nazarean synagogue (Luke 4:21-30). memory? READINGS FOR THE WEEK Mass Intentions for the Week Monday: 2 Sm 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Ps 3:2-7; Mk 5:1-20 Saturday, January 30 at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday: Mal 3:1-4; Ps 24:7-10; Heb 2:14-18; Lk 2:22-40 [22-32] †Frank and Mary Bradach by daughter-in-law, Georgia Bradach Wednesday: 2 Sm 24:2, 9-17; Ps 32:1-2, 5-7; Mk 6:1-6 Thursday: 1 Kgs 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chr 29:10-12; Mk 6:7-13 Sunday, January 31 Friday: Sir 47:2-11; Ps 18:31, 47, 50, 51; Mk 6:14-29 9:30 a.m. Saturday: 1 Kgs 3:4-13; Ps 119:9-14; Mk 6:30-34 †Living/deceased parishioners and benefactors of SJV parish Sunday: Is 6:1-2a, 3-8; Ps 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11 [3-8, 11]; Lk 5:1-11 †Fr. Waclaw Jamroz and Danny O’Donnell Thanksgiving for gifts received on my 95th B’Day celebration AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES by Eleanor Bednarz Sunday: Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Tuesday: The Presentation of the Lord; Groundhog Day 11:30 a.m. †Living/deceased parishioners and benefactors of SJV parish Wednesday: St. Blaise; St. Ansgar; Blessing of Throats Friday: St. Agatha; First Friday Tuesday, February 02 at 8:00 a.m. Saturday: St. and Companions; First Saturday

St. Monica Prayer Group THE ETERNAL FLAME FOR THIS WEEK †Kay Margentina by Sandra Anderson †Will burn for: 7:00 p.m. CANDLEMAS Polish †Living/deceased parishioners and benefactors of SJV parish Gerry Huston (B’Day Rem) BY Wednesday, February 03 at 8:00 a.m. Rich and Barb Dapriele Judy Drong (B’Day) by Dan Drong

Thursday, February 04 at 8:00 a.m. †WE LIFT UP IN PRAYER Bumber Family by Mom and Grandma Long Term Needs: Fr. Andrew, Ann Marie Nawrocki, Naia Peña, Friday, February 05 at 8:00 a.m First Friday Rachel Colabello, Marilyn Gibes, John Sims, Wendy Kelm, Peg Parker, Exposition and Benediction Keith Schranz, Helena Parades, Lucas Milo, Irena Drewniak, Ted Hylek †Agueda P. Vianzon (B’Day Rem) by Henry Vianzon Hanna Maria Drewniak, Heather Pajak, Dan Murphy, Florence Viscum, Marlene Margentina, The Eaton Family, Dixie Wiles, Mary Maiberger, Saturday, February 06 at 8:00 a.m. First Saturday Val Wittenkeller, Romana Davila, John Mitchell, Lawrence Dapriele, Exposition and Benediction Carol Albrecht, Marilyn Zlogar, Mark Gariboldi, Cathy McManamey †Poor Souls in Purgatory Immediate Needs: (baby) Lucille Katherine Russler, Dennis Wszolek And for all those who have no one to pray for them. Saturday, February 06 at 4:15 p.m. † We hope that you will pray for them each day, privately or with your †Pat Knight by sister, Sandy family. Prayer for those in need is an important responsibility of the Misalek by mom, Barb Christian Community

Sunday, February 07 †FROM DEATH TO NEW LIFE 9:30 a.m. †Living/deceased parishioners and benefactors of SJV parish Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, †Fr. Waclaw Jamroz and Danny O’Donnell and let perpetual light shine upon them. Judy and Jack by Eleanor Bednarz

11:30 a.m. Divine Mercy Chaplet: Sat, Jan. 30…Day 3 †Living/deceased parishioners and benefactors of SJV parish

In Memoriam – Jan. 31 thru Feb 06 A WEEKDAY MASS MAY BE JUST WHAT YOU NEED! Taskey Jan. 31 1966 Myrna R. Rodewald Jan. 31 1984 Come and enjoy the peace of Jesus. Tues through Friday 8am Martin W. Ryan Jan. 31 1984 Evelyn K. Eberhart Feb. 01 1982 Elma J. Barman Feb. 02 1988 Andrew A. Sefcik Feb. 02 1998 Pray the rosary Wear the Brown Scapular Raymond J. Lorenz Feb. 03 1994 Josephine Shurback Feb. 04 1984 Catherine Yankala Feb. 05 2003 JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish PILGRIM DATES TO REMEMBER Invite the blessed Mother, Our Lady of Fatima Statue, into CHURCH CLEANING Week of 1-31………………….……Steele your home and help her evangelize her message of peace If you and a partner could find an hour or so about every 8 weeks to through the Rosary. The intent of the devotion is that the help clean the church building, please call the church or talk to Barb. statue travel from house to house. It will be in your home Please consider this as an act of charity for one week or as long as you want to keep her. You can Offering totals will be in February bulletin invite family and friends to say the rosary, or just enjoy her

presence in your home and have your own private devotion. Thank You for your continuing support. Please call Gwen at 708-259-6303 Please remember St John Vianney in your Will and Estate Planning.

ST. MONICA PRAYER GROUP STEWARDSHIP… A WAY OF LIFE FOLLOWING THE 8:00 AM TUESDAY MASS “For your heart will always be where your riches are.” (Mt 6:21) We, the members of St. Monica Prayer Group, invite you to join us in praying for the spiritual, physical, and emotional INTERCESSIONS FOR LIFE needs of our children and grandchildren.. Please join us as we For infants not expected to live long after birth: May each come together weekly to cover our children with prayer. child’s life, no matter how brief, be welcomed, protected, and

cherished by all; We pray to the Lord: OUR WARMEST WELCOME FRANCIS INTENTIONS FOR JAN Universal: Interreligious Dialogue; That sincere dialogue among To all who celebrate with us, whether visitors, long time men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace residents, or newly arrived in the parish. If you are not and justice. registered at St. John Vianney or need to make changes, Evangelization: Christian Unity; That by means of dialogue and please fill out the form below and place in the collection fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians basket. may overcome divisions. We pray to the Lord: PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY ADULT 1 WORD OF LIFE Name______“A sense of deep communion with the rest of nature cannot be Phone______real if our hearts lack tenderness, compassion and concern for our fellow human beings. It is clearly inconsistent to combat Address______trafficking in endangered species while remaining completely ______indifferent to human trafficking, unconcerned about the poor, or Date of Birth______undertaking to destroy another human being deemed unwanted. Language spoken at home______This compromises the very meaning of our struggle for the sake of the environment. — , Laudatio Si, no. 91 © 2015 Libreria Marital Status:_____Married by Priest Y N Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. (www.goo.gl/UBwd3B)

Religion:______WHY NOT A MASS INTENTION! Sacraments received? Baptism, 1st Comm. Confirm. If you are thinking of sending someone a get-well card, or a special occasion is coming up, a birthday or an anniversary, why not have ADULT 2 Husband Wife a Mass said for them? Mass intentions are for the living as well as Name______the deceased. There’s no nicer way to offer tribute, or better prayer Phone______you can offer for those you love. Address______Just fill out the form below and show how much you care. ______Date of Birth______REQUESTS FOR † MA S S INTENTIONS Language spoken at home______If you would like to have a Mass offered, please fill out this form and drop in the collection basket. There is no better way to offer Marital Status:_____Married by Priest Y N tribute, and no better prayer you can offer for those you love.

Religion:______Please include an offering of $10 for each intention in the envelope with your Mass request form. Sacraments received? Baptism, 1st Comm. Confirm. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Are you transferring from another parish?____ Intention Name ______

Former Parish Name______Living ___ Deceased

Please list the names and dates of birth of those in your Requested by______household, excluding the names above:

Name Birthdate Relationship Phone______

1______2______Date/Time Wanted______

3______

4______

JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish PRAY FOR OUR FEED YOUR HUNGRY NEIGHBORS MILITARY Lockport’s FISH pantry has seen an increase in the “Lord, hold our troops in your number of people served this year. They are now caring loving hands. for 350 families, representing 1200 individuals. Our Protect them as they protect us. Lord would want us to share what we have been given with the Bless them and their families for the selfless acts hungry. Presently needed are canned beans, meats and fish. Also they perform for us in our time of need. And give peanut butter & jellies. Canned vegetables especially corn & green us peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen. beans. spaghetti & sauce, cereals, and pancake mix & P.F.C. JASON W. DRAKSLER [U.S. ARMY] syrup. Soaps, bath tissue, other paper products and shampoo are P.F.C. JOSHUA D. DRAKSLER [U.S. ARMY] also needed. SGT. 1st Class MICHAEL MATTHEW PAJAK [U.S. ARMY] Thank you for your continued generosity. You will be blessed. 1st LT. ANDREW ALESSANDRA [U.S. ARMY] Feeding the Hungry is one of the Corporal Works of Mercy. AIRMAN NICHOLAS MAVRIN [U.S.A.F.] [GERMANY] PLEASE CHECK YOUR CANS CAREFULLY. nd 2 LT. WILLIAM BRADSHAW [U.S.A.F.] IF THEY ARE OUTDATED OR EXPIRING IN CURRENT MONTH, If you have a family member who is overseas please let us know so we may pray for their safe return. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL WE HAVE TO THROW THEM AWAY. We cannot be liable for causing illnesses. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION If YOU are in need, they are open Monday, Wednesday & For the first four centuries or so, there seems not to have been a Fridays from 8:30 a.m until 11:30 a.m. sense of marriage as a church institution. Christians followed civil 604 9th Street, Lockport. law, which kept the wedding in a family setting. Bishops wanted Bring 2 pieces of current mail to register. people to be good citizens insofar as possible, and so they recognized the government’s role in marriage. In general, they Funeral Mass Arrangements expected Christians to know that marriage was good, that Upon the death of a loved one, a family member should marriage to other Christians was best, and to take it easy on the contact the parish office as soon as possible (815-723-3291). wild wedding parties. They agreed that marriage was a divine You will be contacted by our bereavement coordinator, institution, that Christ blessed it especially, and they loved Anna Siwiec-Sitkowska, who will assist the family in planning referring to the miracle at the wedding feast of Cana. Still, even the funeral liturgy for the deceased. when Christianity became the official religion of the empire in 380, marriage remained a family matter. WIDOWED? For Widowed Men & Women On wedding days people gathered in the bride’s house, where There will be a retreat/workshop on March 5 & 6, 2016 the father would “give her hand” to her husband, draping a at Our Lady of the Angels House of Prayer garland of flowers over the couple. There were no official words ( in Lemont on Alvernia Manor’s campus). to say, there was no blessing to be given. Everyone walked in (Overnight required. No commuters) Incls. overnight and meals. procession to the bride’s new home for the concluding rites and Missing your spouse is a special loss. This program is designed to the feast. In the Eastern Empire, it soon became customary to help the widowed find hope & joy again. invite a priest or bishop to give a blessing at the meal or the day Joyful Again Widowed Ministry Ph: 1-708-354-7211 before. It was a nice thing to do, completely optional, but had a You can also see a short video on our website:www.joyfulagain.org “photo-op” feel to it that was widely emulated. Before long, at E-mail: joyfulagain7211@gmail least in the East, it looked as if the priest were joining the couple Space limited – register early. in marriage and blessing the union. —Rev. James Field, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co. THE GREAT HYMN TO LOVE

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY It is doubtful that Paul, when he sat down to write what we now know as the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, knew Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time that he was penning what was to become one of the keystones of Rave reviews greeted Jesus’ first hometown Christian ethics. In this brief passage, he set down ideals about homily proclaiming a year of God’s mercy, but the mood turned love that have held fast through the centuries. Sometimes we may violent when he went on to declare that God’s mercy embraces think that because these are ideals to which we aspire, we are outsiders; it rejects distinctions between citizen and foreigner, excused from them in our daily living. acceptable and unworthy, even sinner and saint. Far from being But what Paul was writing was a letter to his friends, providing anyone’s personal possession, God’s kingdom is open to everyone, them with some sound advice about what it meant—and still God’s love unconditional, God’s mercy boundless. By this Jubilee means—to live in love, day by day, as a follower of Christ. We Year of Mercy, Pope Francis repeats Jesus’ challenge in today’s find in his words to his friends a broadening of the great Gospel to broaden our horizons until our vision matches Jesus’ commands of Jesus to love God and neighbor. Today we hear vision of every sinner as a potential saint, and each suffering what this love must look like in our own actions, and how it ought stranger as our neighbor. Jesus, says Pope Francis, continually went to guide our relationships with others. Copyright © J. S. Paluch beyond the law, keeping company with public sinners and even sharing meals with them to demonstrate that God’s mercy is “the beating heart of the Gospel” (Misericordiae Vultus, 12). To be truly Tweets from Pope Francis @ Pontifex Jesus’ disciples, such unconditional love and boundless mercy must Jan. 28 also be at the center of all we say and do. —Peter Scagnelli, Copyright © As Christians, we cannot be J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.Papal quotes Copyright © 2015, Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission. self-centered, but must always be open to others and for others. Check it out at: https://twitter.com/pontifex

JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish PREGNANT and NEED HELP? CATECHISM CORNER Call us today! Q. Why does the Church also make declarations about ethical Woman's Choice Services offers a safe questions and about matters of personal conduct? and loving environment in which you can meet with one of our “Believing is a path. One learns how to stay on this path, in other trained counselors who can answer your questions and discuss words, how to act rightly and to lead a good life, only by following your options. Our help is free and confidential and we'll help the instructions in the Gospel. The teaching authority of the Church you along your journey! must remind people also about the demands of the natural moral For more information, call Lisa in our Bolingbrook office at law.There are not two truths. What is humanly right cannot be 815-725-7732, or Elaine in our Lombard office at 630-261- wrong from the Christian perspective. And what is right according 9564 or visit www.womanschoiceservices.com. to Christianity cannot be humanly wrong. That is why the Church must teach comprehensively about moral issues” (YouCat, Q. 344) 2016 CATHOLIC MINISTRIES ANNUAL APPEAL Please Participate! VOCATION PRAYER CALENDAR Your Gift Makes a Difference! 1-31 through 2-6 This week, you are asked to review the 2016 Catholic Ministries Remember these men and women in your daily prayers- Annual Appeal (CMAA) tabloid that you received with your Priests, Deacons, Semnarians and Women & Men bulletin today. The CMAA is much different than a one-time special Religious in the Diocese of Joliet collection. It is a 31 Frs. Brad Baker & John Balluff pledge campaign where you can make a one-time gift or pledge FEBRUARY your gift over 10 months to support the good works of the diocese. 1 Srs. Faith Szambelanczyk, Elaine Teders, Janet Tucci, A gift to the CMAA will touch the lives of many in our diocese in a Therese Tusek, Juanita Regine Ujcik OSF positive way. Each gift makes a difference! Together, the gifts of 2 Anthony Lenard (Deacon Candidate) many enable our diocese to deliver needed education, ministry and 3 Frs. Dindo Billote & Steven Bondi services to those who need it most. As you take the time to review 4 Srs. Helen Vahling, Rita Vahling, Clare Van Vooren, the tabloid and see all the work enabled by the CMAA, please Loretta Vetter, Anthony Wagner, Loretta Wagner OSF reflect on God’s gifts to you. He has given you all that you have. 5 Dcns. Jim Janousek, Julio Jimenez, Joseph Johnson, We were “Chosen by God’s Grace” and together we can give thanks Frank Juricic, Robert Kaminski, Lawrence Kearney, to Him for our blessings through a gift to the CMAA. James Kelly, Darrell Kelsey, Paul Kim, Ronald Knecht As you review the work enabled by your contribution to the CMAA, 6 Srs. Patricia Ann Wagner, M. Ann Wayrowski, M. Yvonne please reflect on God’s gifts to you. Weidner, Peter Julian Wener, Vivian Whitehead OSF

He has given you all that you have. Your gifts to our parish, to the diocese, and to the work of the church throughout the world should SAINTS OF THE DAY be given in gratitude for the continuing gifts that God gives you. by americancatholic.org God extends JANUARY 31 His mercy to us each day, and you can be a part of “Extending ST. JOHN BOSCO (1815-1888) God’s Mercy” to others through the CMAA. John Bosco’s theory of education could well be used in If you received your pledge form in the mail, please complete it and today’s schools. It was a preventive system, rejecting mail it or bring it to Mass next weekend. For those of you who have corporal punishment and placing students in surroundings not received the mailing, we will conduct our Commitment/In-Pew removed from the likelihood of committing sin. He Weekend process at all Masses next weekend. advocated frequent reception of the sacraments of Penance and Holy After our parish exceeds its CMAA goal of $8,019 in paid pledges, Communion. He combined catechetical training and fatherly guidance, 65% of any additional funds are returned for use in our parish. seeking to unite the spiritual life with one’s work, study and play. Encouraged during his youth to become a priest so he could work Thank you for your prayerful consideration and generous response. with young boys, John was ordained in 1841. His service to young

WORLDWIDE MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER people started when he met a poor orphan and instructed him in preparation for receiving Holy Communion. He then gathered young “…but the greatest of these is love.” Spouses, nurture your apprentices and taught them catechism. spiritual gift by attending a Worldwide Marriage After serving as chaplain in a hospice for working girls, John opened Encounter Weekend on February 12-14, 2016 or April 8- the Oratory of St. for boys. Several wealthy and 10, 2016 or June 10-12, 2016, all at Elk Grove Village, IL. Early powerful patrons contributed money, enabling him to provide two registration is highly recommended. For reservations/information, workshops for the boys, shoemaking and tailoring. call Jim & Kris at 630-577-0778 or contact us through http://wwme- By 1856, the institution had grown to 150 boys and had added a chicagoland.org . printing press for publication of religious and catechetical pamphlets. His interest in vocational education and publishing justify him as patron DIOCESE OF JOLIET of young apprentices and Catholic publishers. SCOUT DAY OF REFLECTION RETREAT John’s preaching fame spread and by 1850 he had trained his own Saturday, February 20, 2016 helpers because of difficulties in retaining young priests. In 1854 he and at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet his followers informally banded together, inspired by St. Francis de Sales [January 24]. The retreat will start at 9am and end at 1pm. This year there will be With Pope Pius IX’s encouragement, John gathered 17 men and two separate sessions, one for older scouts (grade 6+) and one for founded the Salesians in 1859. Their activity concentrated on education younger scouts (grades 1-5). The event is for ALL Scouts (male or and mission work. Later, he organized a group of Salesian Sisters to female) in 1st grade or older. For further information, registration, assist girls. & permission forms please visit: of: Boys, Editors, Youth www.dioceseofjoliet.org/scouting and click on ‘Events’.

JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish FEBRUARY 01 FEBRUARY 03 ST. ST. BLAISE (d. 316) (c. 452-c. 524) We know more about the devotion to St. Blaise by The known facts about St. Brigid of Kildare are few, Christians around the world than we know about the saint but she is revered as one of Ireland's three patron saints himself. His feast is observed as a holy day in some Eastern Churches. In 1222, the Council of Oxford (along with Patrick and Columba). prohibited servile labor in England on Blase’s feast day. The Germans and What we do know is that she was a fifth-century nun who founded the Slavs hold him in special honor, and for decades many United States Abbey of Kildare, southwest of Dublin. Both monks and nuns lived Catholics have sought the annual St. Blaise blessing for their throats. there, and many accounts record that Brigid served as superior of both We know that Bishop Blaise was martyred in his episcopal city of the men and women. In any event, the Abbey of Kildare contributed Sebastea, Armenia, in 316. The legendary Acts of St. Blase were written significantly to the spread of Christianity throughout Ireland at a time 400 years later. According to them Blase was a good bishop, working hard when traditional Irish religion was disappearing. to encourage the spiritual and physical health of his people. Although the Many miracles have been attributed to Brigid. What is more certain is Edict of Toleration (311), granting freedom of worship in the Roman that she was an extraordinary woman who was known especially for her Empire, was already five years old, persecution still raged in Armenia. generosity to the poor. Because of the prominence the Abbey of Kildare Blaise was apparently forced to flee to the back country. There he lived as a gained under Brigid's leadership, she is considered the special patron of hermit in solitude and prayer, but he made friends with the wild animals. scholars. Her feast day is observed on February 1. One day a group of hunters seeking wild animals for the amphitheater Patron Saint of: Dairy workers, Ireland, Nuns, Scholars stumbled upon Blaise’s cave. They were first surprised and then frightened. The bishop was kneeling in prayer surrounded by patiently waiting wolves, FEBRUARY 02 lions and bears. PRESENTATION OF THE LORD The legend has it that as the hunters hauled Blaise off to prison, a mother came with her young son who had a fish bone lodged in his throat. At At the end of the fourth century, a woman named Blaise’s command the child was able to cough up the bone. Etheria made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Her journal, Agricolaus, governor of Cappadocia, tried to persuade Blase to sacrifice discovered in 1887, gives an unprecedented glimpse to pagan idols. The first time Blaise refused, he was beaten. The next time of liturgical life there. Among the celebrations she describes is the he was suspended from a tree and his flesh torn with iron combs or rakes. Epiphany (January 6), the observance of Christ’s birth, and the gala (English wool combers, who used similar iron combs, took Blaise as their procession in honor of his Presentation in the Temple 40 days later— patron. They could easily appreciate the agony the saint underwent.) February 15. (Under the Mosaic Law, a woman was ritually “unclean” Finally, he was beheaded. for 40 days after childbirth, when she was to present herself to the Patron Saint of: Throat ailments priests and offer sacrifice—her “purification.” Contact with anyone who had brushed against mystery—birth or death—excluded a person FEBRUARY 04 from Jewish worship.) This feast emphasizes Jesus’ first appearance in ST. JOAN OF VALOIS (1464-1505) the Temple more than Mary’s purification. Joan, or Jane, the physically deformed daughter of King The observance spread throughout the Western Church in the fifth Louis XI of France, was endowed with wonderful gifts of mind and sixth centuries. Because the Church in the West celebrated Jesus’ and heart. Although she suffered much throughout her life, she birth on December 25, the Presentation was moved to February 2, 40 accepted her disabilities with patience and spent many of her days in prayer days after Christmas. and meditation. At the beginning of the eighth century, Pope Sergius inaugurated a Under the guidance of her spiritual director, a Franciscan priest from candlelight procession; at the end of the same century the blessing and whom she received the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis, young Joan distribution of candles which continues to this day became part of the prepared to give her life in service to God as a member of a religious celebration, giving the feast its popular name: Candlemas. community. But her father had other plans. He announced that Joan would marry the FEBRUARY 03 Duke of Orleans, and no objections were to be voiced. Joan dutifully obliged, though her marriage was not a happy one. When the duke ascended ST. ANSGAR (801-865) the throne as King Louis XII, his first act was to divorce the queen on the The “apostle of the north” (Scandinavia) had enough grounds that he had only agreed to the marriage to escape the anger of the frustrations to become a saint—and he did. He became a king, his predecessor. The pope agreed that compulsion had been involved, Benedictine at Corbie, France, where he had been educated. and declared the marriage null and void. Three years later, when the king of Denmark became a convert, Ansgar Joan felt an immediate sense of relief and made her way to Bourges. went to that country for three years of work, without noticeable There she lived a secluded life of prayer and, in 1501, founded a success. Sweden asked for Christian , and he went there, contemplative order of nuns—the Sisters of the Annunciation. God called suffering capture by pirates and other hardships on the way. Fewer than two Joan home only a few years later. years later, he was recalled, to become abbot of New Corbie (Corvey) and She was canonized in 1950. bishop of Hamburg. The pope made him legate for the Scandinavian missions. Funds for the northern apostolate stopped with Emperor Louis’s FEBRUARY 04 death. After 13 years’ work in Hamburg, Ansgar saw it burned to the ground by invading Northmen; Sweden and Denmark returned to paganism. ST. GILBERT OF SEMPRINGHAM He directed new apostolic activities in the North, traveling to Denmark (c. 1083-1189) and being instrumental in the conversion of another king. By the strange Gilbert was born in Sempringham, England, into a wealthy device of casting lots, the king of Sweden allowed the Christian family, but he followed a path quite different from that missionaries to return. expected of him as the son of a Norman knight. Sent to Ansgar’s biographers remark that he was an extraordinary preacher, a France for his higher education, he decided to pursue seminary studies. humble and ascetical priest. He was devoted to the poor and the sick, He returned to England not yet ordained a priest, and inherited several imitating the Lord in washing their feet and waiting on them at table. He estates from his father. But Gilbert avoided the easy life he could have led died peacefully at Bremen, Germany, without achieving his wish to be a under the circumstances. Instead he lived a simple life at a parish, sharing . as much as possible with the poor. Following his ordination to the Sweden became pagan again after his death, and remained so until the priesthood he served as parish priest at Sempringham. coming of missionaries two centuries later. Among the congregation were seven young women who had expressed to Patron Saint of: Denmark him their desire to live in religious life. In response, Gilbert had a house JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish built for them adjacent to the Church. There they lived an austere life, but Japanese. The only reason for my being killed is that I have taught the one which attracted ever more numbers; eventually lay sisters and lay doctrine of Christ. I certainly did teach the doctrine of Christ. I thank brothers were added to work the land. The religious order formed God it is for this reason I die. I believe that I am telling only the truth eventually became known as the Gilbertines, though Gilbert had hoped the before I die. I know you believe me and I want to say to you all once Cistercians or some other existing order would take on the responsibility of again: Ask Christ to help you to become happy. I obey Christ. After establishing a rule of life for the new order. The Gilbertines, the only Christ’s example I forgive my persecutors. I do not hate them. I ask religious order of English origin founded during the Middle Ages, God to have pity on all, and I hope my blood will fall on my fellow continued to thrive. But the order came to an end when King Henry VIII men as a fruitful rain.” suppressed all Catholic monasteries. Peter Baptist Blasquez was born in 1542 to a noble Spanish family; Over the years a special custom grew up in the houses of the order called he joined the in his homeland. He worked for several years "the plate of the Lord Jesus." The best portions of the dinner were put on a special plate and shared with the poor, reflecting Gilbert's lifelong concern in the Philippine Islands and in 1592 was delegated by Philip II of for less fortunate people. to negotiate peace with Hideyoshi, the ruler of . Throughout his life Gilbert lived simply, consumed little food and spent a Peter Baptist and several confreres accomplished their mission and good portion of many nights in prayer. Despite the rigors of such a life he stayed in Japan to spread the gospel. Their success in making converts died at well over age 100. and establishing churches and hospitals frightened Hideyoshi. In December 1596 he imprisoned Peter Baptist, two other priests, two FEBRUARY 04 brothers, a cleric, 17Japanese Secular Franciscans and three Jesuits. ST. JOSEPH OF LEONISSA Condemned to death in early January at Miyako, these prisoners were led on a painful four-week trip to . On , 1597, they (1556-1612) were crucified and run through with spears. They were canonized in Joseph avoided the safe compromises by which 1862. people sometimes undercut the gospel. Born at When missionaries returned to Japan in the 1860s, at first they found no Leonissa in the Kingdom of Naples, Joseph joined the trace of Christianity. But after establishing themselves they found that Capuchins in his hometown in 1573. Denying himself thousands of Christians lived around Nagasaki and that they had hearty meals and comfortable quarters, he prepared for ordination and a secretly preserved the faith. Beatified in 1627, the of Japan life of preaching. were finally canonized in 1862. In 1587 he went to Constantinople to take care of the Christian galley slaves working under Turkish masters. Imprisoned for this work, he FEBRUARY 06 was warned not to resume it on his release. He did and was again imprisoned and then condemned to death. Miraculously freed, he ST. AMAND returned to where he preached to the poor and reconciled feuding This great missionary was born in lower Poitou about the families as well as warring cities which had been at odds for years. He year 584. At the age of twenty, he retired to a small was canonized in 1746. monastery in the island of Yeu, near that of Re. He had not been there more than a year when his father discovered him FEBRUARY 05 and tried to persuade him to return home. When he threatened to disinherit him, the saint cheerfully replied, "Christ is my only ST. AGATHA (d. 251?) inheritance." Amand afterward went to Tours, where he was ordained, As in the case of Agnes, another virgin-martyr of the and then to Bourges, where he lived fifteen years under the direction of early Church, almost nothing is historically certain about St. Austregisilus, the bishop, in a cell near the cathedral. After a this saint except that she was martyred in Sicily during pilgrimage to Rome, he returned to France and was consecrated bishop the persecution of Emperor Decius in 251. in 629 without any fixed See, receiving a general commission to teach Legend has it that Agatha, like Agnes, was arrested as a Christian, the Faith to the heathens. He preached the gospel in Flanders and tortured and sent to a house of prostitution to be mistreated. She was northern France, with a brief excursion to the Slavs in Carinthia and preserved from being violated, and was later put to death. perhaps, to Gascony. He reproved King Dagobert I for his crimes and She is claimed as the patroness of both Palermo and Catania. The year accordingly, was banished. But Dagobert soon recalled him, and asked after her death, the stilling of an eruption of Mt. Etna was attributed to him to baptize his newborn son Sigebert, afterwards to become a king her intercession. As a result, apparently, people continued to ask her and a saint. The people about Ghent were so ferociously hostile that no prayers for protection against fire. preacher dared venture among them. This moved Amand to attempt that Patron Saint of: Breast disease, against, Foundry workers, Nurses mission, in the course of which he was sometimes beaten and thrown FEBRUARY 06 into the river. He persevered, however, and in the end people came in crowds droves to be baptized. ST. PAUL MIKI, ST. PETER BAPTIST Patron Saint of: Hotel keepers, Vintners, Wine trade AND COMPANIONS (d. 1597) Nagasaki, Japan, is familiar to Americans as the city FEBRUARY 06 on which the second atomic bomb was dropped, ST. DOROTHY immediately killing over 37,000 people. Three and a According to her apochryphal tradition, she was a resident half centuries before, 26 were of Caesarea, Cappadocia, who when she refused to crucified on a hill, now known as the Holy Mountain, overlooking sacrifice to the gods during Emperor Diocletian's Nagasaki. Among them were priests, brothers and laymen, Franciscans, persecution of the Christians, was tortured by the governor and ordered Jesuits and members of the ; there were executed. On the way to the place of execution, she met a young catechists, doctors, simple artisans and servants, old men and innocent lawyer, Theophilus, who mockingly asked her to send him fruits from children—all united in a common faith and love for Jesus and his "the garden" she had joyously announced she would soon be in. When Church. she knelt for her execution, she prayed, and an angel with a basket of Brother Paul Miki, a Jesuit and a native of Japan, has become the three roses and three apples, which she sent to Theophilus, telling him best known among the martyrs of Japan. While hanging upon a cross, she would meet him in the garden. Theophilus was converted to Paul Miki preached to the people gathered for the execution: “The Christianity and later was martyred sentence of judgment says these men came to Japan from the Patron Saint of: Florists Philippines, but I did not come from any other country. I am a true JANUARY 31, 2016 4th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME St. John Vianney Parish

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