Saint Blaise

On February 3rd we celebrate the Feast of St. Blaise. St. Blaise was a bishop in Armenia, over 1600 years ago.

Legend says that St. Blaise lived alone in woods, more or less like Jesus did when he spent the 40 days in the desert fasting and praying. It is said that the animals of the forest would come to him when they were injured or sick and he would heal them. Another legend tells us that he saved a boy from choking on a fish bone. And ever since then people have prayed for St. Blaise to cure them of illnesses particularly ones to do with the throat.

Today many parishes have a blessing of the throats on St. Blaise’s feast day. At St. Olaf this will happen on Tuesday, February 3rd during the 8:30 AM daily Mass. The candles used to bless the throats are themselves blessed on February 2nd which is Candlemas day (that is the day candles used throughout the year are blessed). The priest will cross 2 candles and hold them by people’s necks and he says a blessing as he does this. This comes during a good time of the year since flu season is in full swing so an extra blessing for good health is always welcome.

Another time we take care of those ailing in our churches is through the Sacrament of the Sick. We pray for the healing of those who are sick and the priest anoints them with the Oil of the Sick. During Lent we will be celebrating during the weekend Masses on the weekend of March 14th and 15th. We can find the roots of this sacrament in the 5th chapter of James in the New Testament of the Bible. Many times we are too embarrassed and do not want anyone to know we are ill or if we are healthy want to stay clear of those who are obviously ill or at times stay away from those who are maybe not so obviously ill as well. As Christians that is not what we are called to, we are called to love and care for those who are ill whether it be an obvious illness or one that is not so obvious. That is one of the reason we have this sacrament to lovingly touch them with the healing oil. This sacrament is a sign of God’s love for us.
(from Take Me Home, Too; ©1997, LTP)

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary, Year B

Time Sharing good news

Reading I: Deuteronomy 18:15–20 (a prophet like Moses)
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 7:32–35 (the state of virginity)
Gospel: Mark 1:21–28 (cure of a demoniac)

Key Passage: They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22)

Adult: What can you tell others about Jesus with the most assurance?
Child: What is the most important thing you would like others to know about Jesus? How will you show or tell them?
(from PastoralPlanning.com, 2011)

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Repent and believe

Reading I: Jonah 3:1–5, 10 (conversion of Nineveh)
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 7:29–31 (encouragement within a hostile world)
Gospel: Mark 1:14–20 (call of the first disciples)

Key Passage: Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.” (Mark 1:14–15)

Adult: What part of your life is Jesus calling you to change right now?
Child: In what way do you think you can be a better follower of Jesus?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Second Sunday in Ordinary, Year B

Time Come and see

Reading I: 1 Samuel 3:3–10, 19 (revelation to Samuel)
Reading II: 1 Corinthians 6:13–15, 17–20 (against sexual immorality)
Gospel: John 1:35–42 (the first disciples)

Key Passage: They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and see.” They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. (John 1:38b–39)

Adult: What qualities do you have that would cause others to recognize you as a disciple of Jesus?
Child: What does it take to be a follower of Jesus?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Baptism of the Lord, Year B

All are welcome

Reading I: Isaiah 42:1–4, 6–7 (the servant of the Lord)
Reading II: Acts 10:34–38 (Peter’s discourse)
Gospel: Mark 1:7–11 (the baptism of Jesus)

Key Passage: Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (Acts 10:34–35)

Adult: To whom have you been guilty of showing partiality? What can you do to correct that?
Child: How can you help others feel part of your class’s or group’s games and activities?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Cancelation

Due to the subzero temperatures there will be NO Religious Education classes at St. Olaf this evening.

Epiphany

Epiphany is the day Christ is revealed to the world. The Magi arrive with gifts for the newborn King. This is when the star of Bethlehem drives away the darkness of the night to welcome the Messiah, the Prince of Peace.

Epiphany is considered to be the merriest day of Christmastime. It is a time to make our homes glitter with gold and the burning frankincense and myrrh helps our prayers rise to God as the incense rises. One big part of the Epiphany celebration is the blessing of the home in the new year.

On the eve on Epiphany or on the exact day when family members sit down to eat together have a special cake to serve as dessert. Before the meal cut the cake so each person will have a piece and then hide a dried bean or a coin in one of them. Then when you pass the cake out after the meal is finished the person whose pieces has the dried bean or coin in it will be the queen or king for the night. They will get to lead the blessing of the house. Have a crown for the royal person to wear, a piece of chalk, and evergreen branch with a bowl of water.

Gather at the front door of you home and the royal person will lead your family in saying the Our Father. Then the crowned person will write in chalk over the door (or on a sheet of paper that you can hang over your door): 20 + C + M + B + 15.
The numbers represent the year, the crosses stand for the four seasons and the letters stand for the Magi: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar.

Then the queen or king will bless the house beginning with the front door and moving through each room of the house, sprinkling each room with water. As you walk through your home you could sing “We Three Kings” or “Joy to the World.” This ritual will help you see how Christ’s blessings will be with you throughout the new year.
(from Take Me Home: ©LTP 1991)

Epiphany

Unexpected gifts

Reading I: Isaiah 60:1–6 (glory of the new Zion)
Reading II: Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6 (commission to preach God’s plan)
Gospel: Matthew 2:1–12 (the visit of the magi)

Key Passage: On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother. (Matthew 2:10)
Adult: When have you found the presence of Christ in an unexpected place?
Child: Where and in whom will you look for Jesus this week?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)