The Holy FamilySt. of Jesus,Mary Mary, and Magdalene Joseph Catholic ChurchDecember 27, 2020 7232 KY 56, Owensboro, KY 42301 www.stmarymagd.org Phone: 270-771-4436 Fax: 1-866-856-7191 MASS SCHEDULE PASTORAL COUNCIL Saturday Vigil: 5:00 p.m. May-October Shannon Offerman; Scott Burden; Julie Ebelhar; 4:00 p.m. November-April Perry Warren; Beth Miles; David Cecil Sunday: 8:00a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Weekdays: See schedule FINANCE COUNCIL Holy Day: Contact Parish Office Kenny Knott; Rebecca Schwartz; Rita Wood; Sarah O’Bryan PASTORAL STAFF Pastor: Rev. Shaiju Thomas SACRAMENTS [email protected] BAPTISM: Contact the Pastor at least a month before the (270) 625-9514 Baptism for instructions. DRE/Youth Minister: Nick Higdon CONFESSIONS: Saturdays at 4:00p.m. (One hour before [email protected] Mass time) anytime by appointment. Minister of Music: Jacob Hein [email protected] MARRIAGES: Contact the Pastor six months in advance to Secretary: Nancy Greenwell begin marriage preparation. [email protected] ANOINTING OF THE SICK: By Appointment Only Bookkeeper: Susan Calhoun [email protected] 2 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph December 27, 2020 On the last Sunday of the year, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. We are here to offer all the members of our own families on the altar for God's blessing. Today's scriptures present the heads of two families, Abraham and Joseph, promptly obeying God with trusting faith. Abraham put his trusting faith in one God and obeyed His instruction to migrate to an unknown country. So, in the first reading Abraham dares to ask his God the gift of a son to begin the fulfillment of His promise to make him the patriarch of a big nation. In the second reading St. Paul tells us how Abraham came out victorious when his faith was tested by daringly accepting the challenge of sacrificing his only son Isaac. Today's gospel presents the head of the Holy Family Joseph faithfully obeying God's law given through Moses con- cerning the purification of the mother and the redeeming of the child by presenting Mary and child Jesus in the Temple. On the Feast of the only perfect Family that ever lived on this earth, all of us, as family members, need to examine ourselves and see how well we are fulfilling the grave respon- sibilities which God has placed on us. By celebrating the Sunday following Christmas as the Feast of the Holy Family, the Church encour- ages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encourage- ment. They were a model family in which both parents worked hard, helped each other, understood and accepted each other, and took good care of their Child so that He might grow up not only in hu- man knowledge but also as a Child of God. Jesus brought holiness to the family of Joseph and Mary as Jesus brings holiness to us, by embracing us in His family. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (2223) gives the following advice to the parents: "Parents have the first responsibility for the educa- tion of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tender- ness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule." The CCC adds: "Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children." (2223). "Am I not a family valuable?" A young woman about to be married had come to the Rabbi for counseling. When she told the Rabbi that she hoped she would not make the same mistakes her parents had made, he pressed her to elaborate. The woman explained that each summer her wealthy parents traveled to Europe while she remained behind with a nanny. One year, when the girl was 11, the housekeeper suddenly quit just shortly before her parents' annual trip to Europe. Upset that their vacation might be jeopardized, the parents quickly found a replacement. A few days before their de- parture, the girl noticed that her mother had wrapped the family jewels and silverware and placed them in the safe. Since this had never been done before, she asked why. Her mother explained that she could not trust the new housekeeper with the family valuables. Though certainly not intended, that insensitive remark so shocked and hurt the little girl that she never forgot it. Wasn't she a family valuable? Didn't she have more value than silver knives and silver forks? That is a question all of us could ask about our attitudes toward dependent family members, young, old or in-between, this Ho- ly Family Day. COME AND PRAY THE ROSARY AND DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m. in the church. Our Lady of the most holy Rosary, pray for us. 3 The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph December 27, 2020 FIRST READING Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, He The word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, took him into his arms and blessed God, saying: “Now, saying: Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according “Fear not, Abram! to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, I am your shield; which you prepared in sight of all the peoples, a light for I will make your reward very great.” revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people But Abram said, O Lord GOD, what good will your gifts Israel.” The child’s father and mother were amazed at be, if I keep on being childless and have as my heir the what was said about him; and Simeon blessed them and steward of my house, Eliezer?” Abram continued, “See, said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is you have given me no offspring, and so one of my destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a servants will be my heir.” Then the word of the LORD sign that will be contradicted —and you yourself a sword came to him: “No, that one shall not be your heir; your will pierce—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be own issue shall be your heir.” The Lord took Abram revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, the outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars, daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was if you can. Just so,” he added, “shall your descendants advanced in years, having lived seven years with her be.” Abram put his faith in the LORD, who credited it to husband after her marriage, and then as a widow until she him as an act of righteousness. The LORD took note of was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but Sarah as he had said he would; he did for her as he had worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. And promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore Abraham a coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God son in his old age, at the set time that God had stated. and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the Abraham gave the name Isaac to this son of his whom redemption of Jerusalem. When they had fulfilled all the Sarah bore him. prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew SECOND READING Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19 and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of Brothers and sisters: God was upon him. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he NICENE CREED went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of received power to generate, even though he was past the heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. normal age --and Sarah herself was sterile--for he thought I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son that the one who had made the promise was trustworthy. of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore. By things were made. For us men and for our salvation he faith Abraham, when put to the test, offered up came down from heaven, Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, “Through (At the words that follow, up to and including “and Isaac descendants shall bear your name.” He reasoned became man,” all bow.) that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, received Isaac back as a symbol. and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose GOSPEL Luke 2:22-40 again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. When the days were completed for their He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of purification according to the law of Moses, They took the Father.