From the desk of  Monsignor Bride 

Today is the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.  The word epiphany means “manifestation.”  What we celebrate today is the “showing” “the public stepping out”  “the becoming visible” of Jesus Christ.  Up until this time the Lord’s birth was a hidden event.  It was known only by Mary, Joseph, and the Shepherds.  The coming of the Magi indicates that the Savior of Bethlehem is now manifesting himself to others, to people beyond the narrow two of his family or the shepherds.  Christ begins to step onto the stage of history.  He will become the moral compass for the world, the one who will proclaim how human beings are to act.
This is a significant moment. Christianity was never meant to be a hidden event, a private affair, something to be kept in the recesses of our hearts.  It is public. It is an outward sign, a time to manifest the principles, the way of life, the message the Lord came to proclaim.  The error of our times is that our fellow human beings don’t care what we believe as long as we keep it to ourselves.  They don’t want us to bring it up in public, they don’t want to talk about it. (“I don’t talk about religion or politics, in public”) That is nonsense.  That is exactly where religion ought to be discussed. That is exactly where we ought to make manifest our principles and our beliefs … not just in speech but in action. That is what we are being taught today on this feast.
Read the following:
“The paradox of our time is the incongruity of the events and circumstances around us.”
“We have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less health. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch too much TV, and pray too seldom. We multiply our possessions, reduce our values. “Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.  Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.  Remember, give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.”
“Remember to say, “I love you” to your partner and your loved ones, your parents and your friends. But most of all mean it. And when you say it, back it up with deeds and not just words. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside you.  Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment.   For someday that person will  not be there.  Give time to love, give time to speak.  Remember the important part of life involves your loved ones.
Do not take them for granted.  They have been given to you by God. And someday, in God’s plan they will no longer be there. ”
Monsignor Bride

Monday we come to the end of the Christmas season and return to ordinary Time on Tuesday which will take us until February 21st, Ash Wednesday. 

DE-DECORATE THE CHURCH
This Tuesday night, January 9, 2007, we shall de-decorate the Church.   In December, we had only six men show up.  We need additional hands because we must not only take down the decorations, but transfer them to the Rectory attic.
Please come and help.   It takes only about 30 minutes, if we have sufficient number of hands.

VOCATION AWARENESS WEEK
Vocation awareness Week is January 8th  through January 12th.This is a national observance and is a time when we should give priority to the thought about the need for more priests and religious in our Church.  Several weeks ago a priest (pastor) became suddenly ill.  There was no priest to take his place in this diocese.  This is becoming a not uncommon happening in the United States of America. Thus, we should spend some time and prayer thinking about this, encouraging our young people to give their lives to the service of the Church as priests and religious.  Let all of pray for vocations every day. Our Church needs them. We all need them.(See the flyer of Bishop Cote’s letter on this in this bulletin)

Monsignor Bride’s Vacation
Very early  Thursday, January 11th,  Monsignor Bride  leaves on vacation to St. John, the American Virgin Islands..  He  will return to the Rectory on Sunday evening, January 21, 2007.   Various priests will cover Sunday and weekday Masses. Deacon Ron is in charge of the parish during Monsignor’s absence.

COLLECTIONS
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Offertory $4,500.17
Monthly (Dec) $1,686.70     Energy (Dec) $1,341.00
This Sunday is Monthly collection for January.

 
National Combined Collection
The National Combined Collection (for Retirement Fund for Religious/Catholic Communications/ Catholic University of America/ Annual Appeal for the Holy Father) will be taken up the weekend of January 20-21.  You will be receiving your envelope and information in the mail.  Remember, this encompasses 4 collections but the basket is passed only once.  Thank you for your generosity to these important needs.

ADDITIONAL FLOWER DONATION
In memory of Ron Lee and Joe Morris, requested by Donald and Amy Morris.

                        Announced Masses

Monday, January 8th      Feast of  Baptism of the Lord
7:30 A.M.  M/M Frederick Finnegan    (Family)
Tuesday,  January 9th    Weekday of Ordinary Time                 
7:30 A.M.  Marie Ryan    (Ralph & Pat Austin)
Wednesday, January 10th    Weekday of Ordinary Time                             
7:30 A.M.  Intention of Celebrant
Thursday, January 11th   Weekday of Ordinary Time                       
7:30 A.M.  Andrew Sanislo 1st anniv.  (Wife, Ruth)
Friday, January 12th   Weekday of Ordinary Time                    
7:30 A.M.  Parishioners of OLPH