CHANGE THE DATE & LITURGICAL SUNDAY
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 3, 2019
MASS SCHEDULE Saturday 4:30pm (Sunday Vigil with Cantor)
Sunday Masses 8:00am (No Music) 9:30am (Conventual Mass with Choir & Incense) 11:00am (Cantor) 12:30pm (Cantor & Incense) 6:00pm (Contemporary Ensemble)
Weekday Masses (Monday-Friday) 7:00am 8:00am 11:30am (Sung Conventual Mass)
Saturday Masses 8:00am 11:30am
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Parish Directory Page 1 Mass Schedule & Parish Offi ce Information Page 2 From the Pastor’s Desk Page 3 News & Notes Page 4-5 DEVOTION SCHEDULE Calling All Hands Page 6 Divine Offi ce Confessions 12:00pm Sext/Midday Prayer Wednesday during Holy Hour: Let Us Pray Page 6 (M-F in the Church) 7:00-8:00pm 9:00pm Compline/Night Prayer Saturday Morning: 10:30-11:30am Holy Teaching (M-Sa in the Priory Chapel) Saturday Afternoon: 3:30-4:30pm Page 7-8 The Week Ahead Page 9
6543 Miami Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45243 | (513) 561-5954 | www.stgertrude.org PARISH DIRECTORY
Parish Staff Spiritual Works of Mercy Rev. André-Joseph LaCasse, O.P., pastor Communion to Sick – Judy Hartmann 513.984.8003 Rev. Clement Dickie, O.P., parochial vicar Regina Veritatis – Cornelia Mechley 513.340.4586 Rev. Henry Stephan, O.P., parochial vicar Baptism Team – Mike & Mary Clare Peck 513.871.2309 Circle of Prayer – Barbara Rose [email protected] Dominican Friars in Residence Natural Family Planning – David & Ann Stein 513.561.5751 Pastoral Council – Mark Kosobud 513.469.0852 Rev. Joseph Alobaidi, O.P. Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration 513.561.5954 ext 2136 Rev. Paul J. Keller, O.P. Prayer Ministry for the Dying – Pat Collins 513.265.1897 Rev. Michael Mary Dosch, O.P., novice master Respect Life – Debbie Graham 513.984.4766 Rosary Making – Larry Ball 513.646.8523 St. Gertrude School – 513.561.8020 Principal – Sr. Maria Christi Greve, O.P. ext 1101 Liturgical Ministries Vice Principal – Mr. Travis Johnston ext 1101 Adult Choir – Catherine Fishlock 513.561.5954 PTO – Kelly Woodward, President Contemporary Music Ensemble – Paul Kindt 513.697.9208 School Advisory Council – Marty Lacey Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion – Cristina Genung 513.561.5954 ext 2403 Lectors – Parish Office Staff – 513.561.5954 Mr. Lawain McNeil, O.P. 513.561.5954 ext 1123 Resurrection Choir – Marty Cunningham 513.891.4226 Receptionists – Susan Kane & Teri Forlini ext 2101 The St. Anne and the Child Mary Guild – Business Manager – Mike Muse ext 2102 Cristina Genung 513.561.5954 ext 2403 Assistant Business Manager – Mary Tappel ext 2103 St. Joseph the Worker Society – Rev Clement Dickie, O.P. 513.561.5954 Director of Liturgy – Cristina Genung ext 2403 Ushers – Douglas Postler 513.791.6298 Wedding/Bereavement Coordinator – AnnaMaria Spurgin ext 1124 Youth Choir – Catherine Fishlock 513.561.5954 Bulletin Editor [email protected] Spiritual Groups Religious Education & Youth Ministry: Angelic Warfare Confraternity – Rev Clement Dickie, O.P. 513.561.5954 Office of Youth Evangelization – 513.561.5954 Benedictine Oblates – Clyde & Pat Dorn 513.791.0988 Catholic Men’s Fellowship – Chris Nachtrab 513.604.1899 Primary Evangelization: PK-4th Grade & Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary – Brian Zappia 513.791.7299 Cindy Wurzelbacher ext 2110 Dominican Laity (Bishop Fenwick) – Jonathan Ring [email protected] Jr. High Evangelization: 5th-8th Grade – Bryan Wells ext 2107 Dominican Laity (Our Lady of Peace) – Patty Connelly 513.793.2246 Jr. High Youth Ministry – Bryan Wells ext 2107 Familia – Anita Pappalardo 513.248.8237 High School Youth Ministry – Megan Dickert ext 2108 Holy Family Prayer Group – Malissa Frohlich 513.519.5197 Executive Assistant – Kristen Eggers ext 2109 True Devotion to Mary – Anne Collins 513.984.4708 Women’s Group – Anne Marie Schmidt 859.486.3183 Adult Evangelization – 513.561.5954 Director of Adult Evangelization/Pastoral Services – Parish Groups Mr. Lawain McNeil, O.P. ext 1123 Athletic Boosters – Marc Gerwel 513.774.7779 Cincinnati Frassati Fellowship (Young Adults) – Boy Scouts – Robert Dinga 612.616.8242 Alex Meineke [email protected] Cub Scouts – Chris De Brunner 513.379.1010 Aquinas Society of Cincinnati (Adults & Families) – Festival Committee – Cathy Egan 513.290.3391 Rev. Henry Stephan, O.P. Little Flower Library – Susan Santos 513.504.0205 Rites of Christian Initiation (R.C.I.A.) – Rev. Clement Dickie, O.P. Parish Coffee – Mark Findley 513.417.9227
Corporal Works of Mercy Vocations Directors Knights of Columbus – Bob Stucker 513.235.6222 Archdiocese of Cincinnati – Fr. Dan Schmitmeyer 513.421.3131 St. Vincent De Paul Society – Larry Ball 513.646.8523 Dominican Friars – Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk, O.P. DominicanFriars.org Ladies of Charity – Jean Wilkinson 513.498.5085 Nashville Dominican Sisters – Sr. Peter Marie, O.P. 615.256.5486 Helping Hands – Nancy Lucas [email protected] Parish Health Ministry – Jeanne Palcic 513.317.4123 On the cover: The Healing of Naaman. This stained glass panel Pregnancy Center East (for all pregnancy needs) 513.321.3100 is one of many in the V&A Museum in London that comes from Soup Kitchen – Andy Cordier 513.248.1005 the cloisters at Mariawald, a Cistercian abbey, c. 1510-30. Visitation of the Sick – Judy Hartmann 513.984.8003
1 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 3rd, 2019 MASS SCHEDULE & PARISH OFFICE INFORMATION Masses at St. Gertrude Parish OfficeInfo Monday, February 4, Parish Office Hours St. Catherine de’Ricci, O.P., (M) Monday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:00pm 7:00am...... † Marion W. Cecil (The Resurrection Choir) Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm 8:00am...... † Doris Goodwin (Tom & Christin Spurr) 11:30am...... †Ted Scherpenberg (Nancy DeBrunner) Church Hours Every day: 6:00am-9:00pm Tuesday, February 5, St. Agatha, (M) 7:00am...... † Larry Gamber (Seasons of Hope Ministry) 8:00am...... † Owen Hudson (Jim & Anne Collins) 11:30am...... † Mary M. Beiser (Frank & Deb Merle)
Wednesday, February 6, St. Gertrude is a Roman Catholic Parish in the Dominican St. Paul Miki and Companions, (M) heritage of prayer, preaching and teaching. Under our Lady’s 7:00am...... † Matthew Molony (Mark Castator) mantle, gathered as the Body of Christ, we celebrate Him in the 8:00am...... Thien Cao (Thien Cao) Sacraments, Sacred Scripture and in Catholic education. Serving 11:30am...... † Mary Bruce (Dorothy Grant) our brothers and sisters in the New Evangelization, we seek to grow in love as we journey with Jesus to God the Father. Thursday, February 7, Weekday 7:00am...... † Steve E. Beitman (Doc & Kathy Watkins) 8:00am...... † Jane & Marvin Ward (Peter Ward) OFFERING 11:30am...... Fathers and Mothers of the Order of Friars Preachers St. Gertrude Parish Weekly Collection and Budget Report
Friday, February 8, Weekday, 1/27/2019 St. Jerome Emiliani and St. Josephine Bakhita Collection: $ 30,592.00 7:00am...... † David Evans (Jeanne Johantges) Weekly Budget: $ 38,000.00 8:00am...... † Angela Wanninger (Bill & Tish Shefcik) Weekly Deficit: ($ 7,408.00) 11:30am...... † Mary Kay Feighery (John Feighery) Year-to-Date Budget: $1,229,000.00 Saturday, February 9, Year-to-Date Actual: $1,226,973.00 Weekday Year-to-Date Deficit: ($ 2,027.00) 8:00am...... † Keith Noble (The Noble Family) 11:30am...... † Mary Muccino (Bill & Marian Clark)
February 9-10, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time BULLETIN DEADLINE Saturday 4:30pm...... † Bob Hutchison (The Wachtel Family) BULLETIN MATERIALS DUE Sunday 2/17/19 2/6/19 8:00am...... People of St. Gertrude, Living and Deceased 9:30am...... † Louise Pavloff (The Holt Family) Please submit your Mass announcements & 11:00am...... Robert & Mary Susan Imbus bulletin articles to: [email protected] (Kathleen Johnson & Family) 12:30pm...... The Schnupp Family (The Runk Family) 6543 Miami Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45243 6:00pm...... † Dianne Grace (Elaine & Jeff Parker) 513.561.5954 | FAX 513.561.7184 | www.StGertrude.org
St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Parish 2 FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK | Rev. André-Joseph LaCasse, O.P.
Our mother lived to serve her family, and in serving her family she understood that she was serving God and living out her vocation of love. For she knew as St. Paul tells us today that we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God to give an account of our lives. We pray that indeed our lives will be lives of praise to God for being faithful to the Lorraine Yvette Carrier-LaCasse Lord, and loving with each other. It is by faith and love that each of us will be judged. Continuation of my homily at Mom’s funeral Jesus says to the crowd in the Gospel today, and He Most important, today we come to offer the Holy says to each of us, Everything that the Father gives me will Sacrifice of the Mass for our mother’s soul, andto come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me. help her as she begins her journey back to her creator. God wants each of us to come to Him, and He will We never presume that our loved ones are already in not reject anyone who gives their lives to Him. Our heaven. If that were so there would be no reason to mother lived this reality all her life. She knew and loved pray this holy Mass for her. Our mother was a good Jesus who she knew would come and raise her up on woman but she would be the first to tell you she was not the last day. yet a saint. Being a saint is the goal of life, and this is For everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have our prayer for her today. That by God’s mercy she may eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day. be cleaned of any sin and be welcomed into everlasting The funeral Mass is not only an opportunity to pray life. for those who have gone before us, but it is also a time The prophet Isaiah speaks of this in the first reading to take a real assessment of our own lives and see if we are ready for the judgment that each of us will receive today. On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all at our particular judgment. Will I be ready when the peoples. He will destroy the veil that veils all peoples. The web Lord comes for me? that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. Our mother was ready, and we pray that she will God desires to bring us all to the mountain of now receive her reward. We pray that someday we may eternal life. And there God will wipe away the tears see mom again in heaven. We pray that soon Mom from all faces. Although it is good to grieve the death will be with her dear son Daniel in heaven, along with of those who we love, it is also good to remember that her mother Josephine, her brother Fr. Lucien Carrier there comes a time when God will wipe away our tears, who she loved so much, along with all the other family as we live in the hope of everlasting life. This is the members who have gone before us. prayer we offer up for our mother today, and this is the And so we pray, Eternal Life grant unto her O prayer for each of us who are destined for this earthly Lord…and let God’s perpetual light shine upon her. death and eternal life as well. Goodbye, mom, for now. Go forth good and faithful servant. Mom, pray for us. We hope to see you soon in And as the Prophet Isaiah reminds us today, Let us everlasting life. Amen. rejoice and be glad that God has saved us. Life is about giving ourselves in service to God and A blessed week to all, to our brothers and sisters. St. Paul reminds us of this today in his Epistle to the Romans, None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, Rev. André-Joseph LaCasse, O.P., we are the Lord’s. Pastor
3 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 3rd, 2019 NEWS & NOTES
Marriage Enrichment Seminar – February/March 2019 This 8-week “Building a Eucharistic Marriage” enrichment program focuses on the 7 key habits that are critical for Lifetouch Church Directory Update transforming any marriage into a thriving The Lifetouch Church Directory is scheduled for delivery in late marriage. In this 8-week journey, couples February/early March. For those of you who participated in the will learn the importance of developing not church pictorial directory program, thank you. We will notify you only a deeper relationship with each other, when the directory is available. If you did not participate in the but also about the importance for building a deeper connection Lifetouch Church Directory program but would like a pictorial with Christ, through the Mass. The 7 areas of focus are on the directory, please contact me as there is a nominal cost to purchase importance of: a directory. 1. Spending more time with our spouse as well as with Christ. 2. Understanding God’s design for marriage and the Wedding The Lifetouch Church Directory will contain all St. Gertrude Feast of the Lamb – the Mass. Parishioner addresses and phone numbers. If you do not want 3. Looking inside ourselves and recognizing our own unhealthy your name, address, and phone number listed in the patterns and sinfulness. directory, please notify the parish office no later than 4. Listening to the heart of our spouse, as well as to the heart of February 11, 2019. our Heavenly Spouse – Jesus. 5. Apologizing and giving forgiveness. Once again, thank you to all the families and individuals who 6. Recommitting to our spouse and to Christ and making changes participated in this project. Any questions, please contact the parish to our life that support our relationship rather than sabotage it. office. 7. Being Eucharistic in how we feed the needs of our spouse as Christ feeds all of us.
GR EATER Dates: 8 consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning February 6th- CINCINNATI March 27th, 2019 CATHOLI C WOME N'S Time: 7:00pm-8:30pm CONFERENCE Place: St. Dominic Lobby, Parish Center
“Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Facilitators: Greg Schutte, MSW, LISW-S, Andrea & Jon Patch and – John 20:15 Jim & Mary Kay Hochhausler
Where? When? Registration and/or questions: email [email protected] Sharonville Convention Center Saturday, 11355 Chester Road or call AnnaMaria Spurgin at 561-5954, ext. 1124. *Class Size is Cincinnati, OH 45246 March 9, 2019 limited, so please register as soon as possible. '
Saint Anne and Child Mary Guild The Saint Anne and Child Mary Guild will be meeting on Saturday, 2019 Catholic Ministries Appeal (CMA) February 9th at 9:00 in the Parish Fr. Benedict Katherine Donna Marie Cooper Sister M. Bernadette Gayle Archbishop Dennis This is Commitment Weekend for the 2019 Catholic Ministries O'Cinnsealaigh Meeks O'Boyle Morse, FSGM Bischel Schnurr CenterSpeaker Lobby. CatherineSpeaker FishlockSpeaker Speaker Speaker Main Celebrant Appeal. Please join with families in every parish throughout our will be our archdiocese who are being witnesses through local, Catholic ministries speaker for people right here in our communities. These ministries depend and will on our help each year! be teaching us how to sing a piece of sacred Come spenda dqJ satntns a £eper fove/' liturgical music. We hope to see you there! If you have already responded by mail or online, or if you brought Pleasecfesus contact Christ Cristinaand dfu Genung Church with any your completed pledge card to place in the offertory today, thank questionsFor more at information 513-561-5954, and ext.to register 2403. you! To make a gift online, visit CatholicAppeal.net. Thank you! visit: www.Cincinnati CatholicWomensConference.org St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Parish 4 NEWS & NOTES FESTIVAL NEWS Exciting things are happening at this year’s Festival. June 7-8-9 *Kick-off party June 6th featuring Jazz trio and a new menu *Auction moving into gym *Party tent outside with all your favorite adult drinks including a bourbon booth *Many new teen games One of the most exciting elements this year is a Fireworks display on Saturday night coordinated to the great music of Saffire Express. Fireworks presented by Rozzi. Looking forward to another successful Festival. Mark your calendar for June 7-8-9 you won’t want to miss the fun! 2019 Festival Committee: Cathy Egan, Joe Scherrer, Ben Hoffmann, Amy 2018 Year-End Tax Contribution letters have been Thornton, Shelley Johnston, Kristin & Tim Stoll. emailed this week to those who have contributed more than $300.00 to St. Gertrude. If you would like a paper copy of your year-end tax contribution, please Many Thanks! Dear Fr. LaCasse, the Ladies of Charity, and all the St. Gertrude contact Assistant Business Manager Mary Tappel at Parishioners, 513-561-5954, ext. 2103. Many thanks to all who donated, collected and delivered the gifts for the Hope Emergency Program this Christmas season! We were able to distribute gifts to 742 children and food for 504+ families! We are Lourdes, France truly blessed. Thank you. May you and your parish family enjoy a 65th and FINAL happy, healthy, and holy New Year! U.S. National Rosary Gratefully, Pilgrimage to Lourdes Sr. Lucia Castellini and Mrs. Dianne Vollman, Co-Directors
Fr. Michael Mary Fr. George Dosch, O.P. JUNE 30-July 9, 2019 Schommer, O.P. Accompanied by clergy, medical staff & Bulletin Policy volunteers to assist the needs of the pilgrims Only with the permission of the pastor will full page ads be accepted for the bulletin. In order to conserve space, make the For a full itinerary and cost, visit the website: bulletin less cumbersome, and be smart about being green, www.Lourdes-pilgrimage.com ONLY half-page ads will now be accepted for the This is the last opportunity to join the national pilgrimage bulletin. If you submit a full page ad without the Pastor’s to Lourdes with Fr. Michael, Fr. George, and the U.S. permission, the bulletin editor will either condense the ad to a National Rosary Staff. After 65 years, the family who has half-page or send it back to you for a redo. Please do not send organized it since 1954 has decided to end their years of ads in PDF, but instead in a Word Document so that the service with one final and celebratory pilgrimage. You are bulletin editor can adjust your ad if needed. invited to join us! OFFERED BY: Lourdes Pilgrimage Office of Catholic Travel, 5505 Granby Road, Rockville, MD 20855 1-877-276-7279 or (301) 740-9332 • EMAIL: [email protected]• WEBSITE: www.Lourdes-pilgrimage.com
RESERVATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 15, 2019 SOUP KITCHEN SIGN-UPS Women’s Holy Hour for serving lunch on March 10 will be in the Parish Center lobby An hour of praise and Adoration with our Lord before and after the morning Masses on Sunday, February 10. Online sign-ups will be available starting the evening of February Thursday, February 7, 2019 10 for those who aren’t able to sign up in person. Please go to 8-9pm in St. Gertrude School Chapel StGertrude.org for the links. For more information, contact Andy For more information, please contact Cristina Genung at 513-404-6011 Cordier at 248-1005.
5 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 3rd, 2019 CALLING ALL HANDS LET US PRAY
Please Pray For... Women’s Group The Sick The Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux Anthony Alvarez, Lisa Bertke, Lynne Blake, Bettie Caudill, Marguerite Crema, Triset Defonseka, Kathy Come join us on Saturday, February 9! Elsbernd, Peggy Eshman, Marge Ferguson, Loretta For all adult women; growing in intimacy with God and Holden, Joe Holly, Hummel Family, Janice Koncius, growing in love through our individuality and our femininity. Carlos LaTorre, Cecilia Lemming, Ann Lukey, Linda What: Praise, Prayer, and Discussion Merkley, Sandra Munyon, Leo Napuri, Marlene Ney, Melinda Russell, Jane Sansalone, Richard Seifert, 2nd Saturday of each month, 9:30-11:00am When: Patricia Scherer, Pegge Schuermann, George Sullivan, Where: In the School Chapel Judy Sullivan, John Sweeney, Jaculin Zurlinden, Teddie Please contact Anne Marie Schmidt ([email protected]) for Slaper, Susan Mueller, Sy Swart. more information and for future e-mail updates. The Deceased St Gertrude Players Geraldine Argento presents Mary Ruth Logan
Those in the Armed Forces Chris Babcock, Adam Benvie, Patrick Burke, Cole Foster, Dominic Geraci, Daniel Holian, Mike Huber, Aaron Jacobson, Jacob Kramb, John Kramb, Kelly Leugers, John Oscar, Andrew Shannon, and Ian Tester.
February 16 & 17, 2019 Need to Schedule a Baptism? Baptism classes are offered the first weekend of every Saturday 2:30 & 7:30, Sunday 2:30 month. The Sacrament of Baptism is offered on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Sundays of every month. If you need Madeira High School to schedule a Baptism, please call our Parish Office at (513) 561-5954. For tickets visit: PLAYERS.STGERTRUDESCH.ORG Or call: 513-561-8020 St. Faustina’s Diary Once, I desired very much to Music by receive Holy Communion, but Alan Menken I had a certain doubt, and I Lyrics by did not go. I suffered greatly Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin because of this. It seemed to Book by me that my heart would burst Chad Beguelin from the pain. When I set Based on the Disney film written by about my work, my heart full Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and directed and produced by John Musker, & Ron Clements of bitterness, Jesus suddenly stood by me and said, My daughter, do not omit Holy Communion unless you Disney’s Aladdin JR. is presented through special arrangement with know well that your fall was serious; apart from this, no and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theatre International, New York, NY doubt must stop you from uniting yourself with Me in 212-541-4684 MTIShows.com the mystery of My love. Your minor faults will disappear in My love like a piece of straw thrown into a great furnace. Know that you grieve Me much when you fail to receive Me in Holy Communion (Diary, #156).
St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Parish 6 HOLY TEACHING
MARY AND THE WORK OF OUR SANCTIFICATION From Christ In His Mysteries by Abbot Columba Marmion, O.S.B.
When Jesus is forty days old, the Blessed Virgin associates herself yet more directly and deeply with the work of our salvation by presenting Him in the Temple. She is the first to offer to the Eternal Father His Divine Son. After the oblation that Jesus, the supreme High Priest, made of Himself from the moment of His Incarnation and that He consummated on Calvary, Mary’s offering is the most perfect. It goes beyond all the sacerdotal acts of men, because Mary is the Mother of Christ, while men are but His ministers.
Let us contemplate Mary in this solemn act of the Presentation of her Son in the Temple of Jerusalem.
All the magnificent and circumstantial ceremonial of the Old Covenant converged towards Christ; in the New Covenant, the obscure symbols were to find their perfect reality.
You know that every Jewish mother has to present herself in the Temple a few weeks after the birth of her child, in order to be purified from the legal stain thereby contracted in consequence of original sin. Moreover, if it was her firstborn and a son, she must present him to the Lord to be consecrated to Him as to the sovereign Master of every creature. However, he could be “redeemed” by a more or less considerable offering – a lamb or a pair of turtledoves according as the parents could afford.
Certainly this prescription obliged neither Mary nor Jesus. Jesus was the supreme Law-giver of all the Jewish ritual; His Birth had been miraculous and virginal; there was nothing about it but what was pure. It was therefore unnecessary to consecrate Him to the Lord as He was the very Son of God. Neither was it requisite that she who had conceived Him by the Holy Spirit and remained a virgin should be purified.
But Mary, guided by the Holy Spirit, was in perfect conformity of soul with the soul of her Son. Jesus had said to His Father on coming into this world: “Behold I come... that I should do Thy will, O God.” And the Blessed Virgin’s words were “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word.”
Therefore, she willed to accomplish this ceremony, showing thereby the depth of her submission. With Joseph, her husband, she brought her Firstborn. He who was to remain her only Son, was to become “the Firstborn amongst many brethren” who, by grace, were to be like unto Him.
When we meditate upon this mystery, we are forced to say: “Verily Thou art a hidden God,” O Saviour of the world! Upon this day, Christ enters for the first time into the Temple, and it is into His temple that He enters. This wonderful temple, the admiration of the nations and the pride of Israel, wherein were performed all the religious rites and sacrifices of which God Himself had regulated the details, this temple belongs to Him; for this Child carried in the arms of a young Maiden is the King of kings and the Sovereign Lord.
And how does He come? In the splendour of His majesty? As the One to Whom all these offerings alone are due? No, He comes thither absolutely hidden.
Listen to what the Gospel relates. There must have been a hustling crowd at the approach of the sacred building—merchants, levites, priests, doctors of the Law. A little group passes unnoticed through this crowd. They are poor people for they do not bring a lamb, the offering of the rich; they bring only two pigeons, the offering of the poor. No one heeds them, for they have no following of servants; the great, the haughty among the Jews have not so much as a glance for them, and it is needful that the Holy Spirit should enlighten the old man Simeon and Anna the prophetess in order that they should recognise the Messias. He Who is the Saviour promised to the world, the Light to be revealed to all nations, comes into His temple as a hidden God.
Nothing, moreover, outwardly betrays the feelings of the holy soul of Jesus. The Light of His Divinity remains hidden, veiled; but He renews, here in the Temple, the self-oblation He had made at the moment of His Incarnation. He offers Himself to God to belong to Him by every right: It was like the offertory of the Sacrifice that was to be consummated on Calvary.
7 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time | February 3rd, 2019 HOLY TEACHING
This act was extremely pleasing to the Father. To outward appearance, there was nothing particular in this simple action that all Jewish mothers performed. But on this day God receives infinitely more glory in the temple than He had ever received by all the sacrifices and holocausts of the Old Law, for on this day it is His Son Jesus Who is offered and Who Himself offers infinite homage of adoration, thanksgiving, expiation and supplication. The Heavenly Father receives with incommensurable joy this sacred offering, this Gift worthy of Himself, and all the heavenly court fix their ravished gaze upon this unique oblation. There is now no more need of holocausts and sacrifices of animals. The only Victim worthy of God had just been offered to Him.
And it is by the hands of Our Lady, Our Lady full of grace, that this offering is presented. Mary’s faith was perfect. Filled with the light of the Holy Spirit, her soul understood the value of the offering that she was making to God at this moment; by His inspirations, the Holy Spirit put her soul in harmony with the inward dispositions of the Heart of her Divine Son.
In the same way as she had given her consent in the name of the whole human race when the Angel announced to her the mystery of the Incarnation, so upon this day, Mary offered her Son Jesus in the name of the human race. She knew that her Son is “the glorious King of the new Light... begotten before the day-star... the Lord of life and death.” And so she presents Him to God in order to obtain for us all the graces of salvation that Jesus, according to the Angel’s promise, is to bring to the world.
Do not forget besides that the One she thus offers is her own Son, Whom she bore in her virginal and fruitful womb.
What priest, what saint ever presented the Eucharistic oblation to God in such close union with the Divine Victim as was the Virgin at this moment? Not only was she united to Jesus by faith and love, as we ourselves can be, although in an infinitely lesser degree, but the bond that united her to Christ Jesus was unique. This is why Mary, from the day on which she presents Jesus as the first fruits of the future sacrifice, has such a great part in the work of our redemption.
And see how, also from this instant, Christ Jesus associates His Blessed Mother with His state of Victim.
The old man, Simeon, guided by and filled with the Holy Spirit, is led thither: He recognizes the Saviour of the world in this Child. He takes Him in his arms and sings his joy in having at length seen with his eyes the promised Messias. After having exalted “the Light of the revelation of the Gentiles,” he says, as he restores Him to His Mother: “Behold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; and thy own soul a sword shall pierce.” It was the foreshadowing of the Sacrifice of Calvary.
The Gospel tells us nothing of how Our Lady received this prediction which she could never forget. St. Luke reveals to us later that Mary “kept all these words in her heart,” (Lk 5:1). Could not this be already said of Simeon’s unexpected announcement? Yes, she kept the memory of these words, so terrible in their mystery; now and henceforward they pierced her soul. But Mary, whose pure heart was in full accord with the Heart of her Son, already accepted to be thus closely associated with His Sacrifice.
We shall one day see her consummate, like Jesus, her oblation upon the mount of Golgotha; we shall see her standing, to offer again her Son, the fruit of her womb, for our salvation, as she had offered Him thirty-three years before in the Temple of Jerusalem.
Let us thank Our Lady for having presented her Divine Son for us; let us render fervent acts of thanksgiving to Jesus Himself for offering Himself to His Father for our salvation.
At Holy Mass, Christ offers Himself anew; let us present Him to His Father; let us unite ourselves to Him, like Him, in perfect submission to the will of His heavenly Father; let us unite our faith to the intense faith of our Lady. It is by this true faith and faithful love that our offerings will deserve to be pleasing to God.
St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Parish 8 THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, February 4 February 5 February 6 February 7 February 8 February 9 February 10 Healing Rosary Children’s Choir Festival Meeting Bridge Club Communion & Catholic Men’s Parish Coffee 7:00pm 3:00pm 6:30pm 12:30pm Liberation Fellowship (After 8:00, 9:30, and Church Parish Center, Parish Center, Parish Center, 7:30pm 7:30am 11:00am Masses) Music Room St. Joseph Room St. Joseph Room Parish Center, School Cafeteria Parish Center Gym St. Dominic Lobby RCIA Religious Ed Adult Choir Cincinnati St. Anne & Child Soup Kitchen 7:00pm 4:30pm 7:00pm Frassati Mary Guild Sign-ups Parish Center, School Classrooms Parish Center, Fellowship 9:00am (After all Masses) St. Dominic Lobby Music Room 7:00pm Parish Center, Parish Center, Parish Center, St. Dominic Lobby St. Dominic Lobby St. Dominic Lobby Cub Scout SGS First Penance Marriage Knights of Women’s Group Religious Ed Committee 7:00pm Enrichment Columbus 9:30am 9:15am Meeting Church Seminar Business Meeting School Chapel School Classrooms 7:00pm 7:00pm 7:00pm School Classroom 15 Parish Center, Parish Center, St. Dominic Lobby Lower Level Knights Hall Peer Ministry Boy Scouts Vocations, Women’s Little Flower Meeting 7:00pm Holy Hour, Holy Hour Library 7:00pm School Cafeteria Confessions & 8:00pm 9:00am-1:00pm School Cafeteria, Benediction School Chapel Chapel 7:00pm Church St. Vincent Theology of the Baptisms de Paul Body for 1:45pm 7:30pm High Schoolers Church Parish Center, 7:00pm St. Joseph Room School Library Little Flower HSYM Library Discipleship Cell Book Club 7:00pm 7:30pm All Campus School Classroom 16
DEACONS: Ministers of Service – Who are Deacons? (Part 2 of 10) In preparation for the ordination of the Permanent Diaconate which will occur on April 27th at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, the archdiocese has requested that a series of articles be posted in the parish bulletin of the parishes of men to be ordained. Among the deacon candidates is St. Gertrude’s Business Manager and parishioner, Michael Muse. These articles are intended to inform the parishioners of the role of the sacred office of the diaconate. We look forward to Michael’s ordination and his diaconal ministry here at St. Gertrude.
Who are deacons and what do they do? The Second Vatican Council tells us that, strengthened by sacramental grace, deacons are dedicated to the People of God in the service of the liturgy, of the Gospel, and of works of charity. (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium #29)
Men who are ordained deacons receive the first of three degrees of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the other degrees being that of priest and bishop. At the ordination of deacons, the bishop lays hands on the candidate signifying the deacon’s special attachment to the bishop in the deacon’s ministry of service. Thus, deacons share in Christ’s mission and grace in a special way. Through their ordination, they are configured to Christ who came “as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
“Deacons are ministers ordained for tasks of service of the Church; they do not receive the ministerial priesthood, but ordination confers on them important functions in the ministry of the word, divine worship, pastoral governance, and the service of charity, tasks which they must carry out under the pastoral authority of their bishop.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1596)
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