The First Reading foretells the Presentation of the Lord and the coming of our Savior! But He will "test" us as through fire, preparing us to be ready when the moment of eternal life's ultimate destination is before us - will we be ready to say "Yes!" unconditionally to God, or still be hesitant an lose eternity with Him forever.
 
The Psalms rejoice in the King of Glory! The King - the ruler! The Lord - God! ,Strong and mighty, joyfully the people celebrate Him and all the good He does for them!
 
St. Paul speaks of the unbelievably beautiful reality that in Jesus, God took on a human nature so that the human nature could be redeemed. Through Jesus, the dignity and value of each human person was made known again.
Through His death, Resurrection, and Ascension, all of humanity's sins were taken away and humanity could finally enter the gates of heaven, rising beyond the Garden of Eden to the very mansions of His Kingdom.
 
The Gospel shares the story of the Presentation of the Lord, the 4th Joyful mystery of the rosary. It begins by making clear that Mary and Joseph followed the prescriptions of their Jewish faith.
The actions of Simeon and Anna, before meeting Jesus, are also noted, again making clear their holiness and their adherence to their faith's teachings.
February
1 st............. Saturday! 7th Grade Confirmation : Opening Retreat 10:00 - 3:00 pm
13th............ 8th Grade Confirmation : Mary our Mother (6:30, Parish Dining Hall)
26th........... Ash Wednesday, Lent Begins! (but we just celebrated Christmas!....)
................... --- Lenten Fridays begin! Wednesday, Lent Begins!
................... ------ Adoration - 9:30 am - 7:30 pm, Church
................... ------ Way of the Cross - 7:30 pm, Church
................... ------ Boy Scout Fish Fry - NEW: Drive Thru Service! Fish Tacos! & more!
March
1st............. RCIA Rite of Sending &Election, Brunch
8th............ Daylight Savings - Set Clocks Ahead, sadly we lose an hour... offer it up for Lent!
.................. RCIA Candidate Penitential Rite
21st........... First Communion: Jesus Day Retreat
15th ........... RCIA Scrutinies Begin, 8:00 am Mass
22nd .......... RCIA Scrutinies, 10:00 am Mass
29th .......... RCIA Scrutinies, Noon Mass
Newsy Notes
7 th Grade Confirmation RETREAT!
February 1st - 10:00 am Parish Dining Hall
Come Holy Spirit and enkindle in our youth
the fire of your love!
Meditation
" Walk with your feet on earth,
but in your heart,
be in heaven. "
- St. John Bosco
Greetings Parents!

The days when all goes well are amazing days! That doesn't mean there are no bumps, but, as a mom, it is those days when all of our children have a basically good day. Their relaying of the day at school is good (often minimal, but at least no bad news!), they interact well with us and each other, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. There are phases, of course, when this seems impossible for either one or any of them and when all is going well for all.
              
         The overall mood of the home rises and falls with these! When someone is upset, it carries into all of our lives. When someone is joyful, that is infectious too and everyone's mood is lifted - especially the more time we spend with one another. Interestingly, when someone is down, it seems that we more often look for our own individual activity, but joyful moods bring us to together.

         As a parent, I sometimes feel that I should be better managing the mood of the home. If I truly have faith in God, that He is in charge and He has a Plan, then I should not be perturbed. Confused and waiting, maybe, not anxious. There should be calm confidence, helping our children see that we believe all is being handled. The result might not be the one we chose, but we have the confidence in God that He will make all things amazingly good!

        Easier said then done, for sure! Many times I start out well in that mode, and then everything seems to crash around, despite all of my best efforts. "Um, God, if you want the good, can't I get a bit more help here?" Then all the attempts to create the happy home sink faster than ever, because we tried and everything worked against us to make it fail. Or so it sometimes seems.....

             But a quote someone shared once I think rings very true in both secular and religious thinking:
"Life is 10% what you make it and 90% how you take it."
And as a parent it causes me to wonder. Do my children see me taking everything and making lemonade or crumbling under the lemons? How deep is my faith, how bright is the light of joy that we are all supposed to carry at all times? How sincere is my belief that all things are worked to the good by God, that I will be GLAD for the struggles and suffering endured one day.
             It seems impossible some days, but a radio show shared the story of a cancer survivor who said that the surgery and treatments were awful, but she is grateful for having had cancer because without it she would probably never have found God. She doesn't wish it for others, and not all have this experience, but for her personally, it was only through the trials of its treatment that she would have known the peace and joy she now has. It gave me pause to wonder how strong is my faith in my children's eyes? Do I radiate His joy and the confidence I have in Him in all circumstances? I know my anxiety and frustrations rise are not well hidden - and I need to work on this! Fortunately, Lent is almost here and that's a great time to focus more deeply on shedding bad habits and putting on new ones!
               Hug your children tight and remind them that their guardian angel is always present bearing the joy of God at their side! And try to shine His light for them! May God bless you and your families abundantly!

-- Linda Bader, Coordinator of Religious Education

P.S. Did you know... the holy angels are at every moment in the Presence of God and at every moment with us. Those beholding pure goodness, love, mercy, and justice are pouring out what they receive, and one is doing it right now just for you! How rarely I think my angel for his efforts - and constantly I should be thanking!