4th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Friends,
On this Sunday, we are called to remember the words from Pope-Emeritus, Benedict XVI that each Beatitude is the fruit of Christ looking upon His disciples,  “the Beatitudes express the meaning of discipleship.  What the Beatitudes mean cannot be expressed in purely theoretical terms, it is proclaimed in the life and suffering, and in the mysterious joy, of the disciple who gives himself or herself over completely to following the Lord.”
In order to, “seek the Lord” we must take to prayer the Beatitudes, from St. Matthew’s Gospel, Matthew 5:1-12. Actually, it has been said that the Beatitudes are the “road map” to heaven.
Bishop John Quinn, a Detroit priest who became an auxiliary bishop for our Archdiocese and then was named Bishop of Rochester-Winona Minnesota will often say the words to a brother or sister in the Lord,  “blessed are you” …when we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, indeed …”blessed are you.”
Let us re-read the Beatitudes and ask in our prayers to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus… then we can join Bishop Quinn in saying,  “blessed are you.”
On a personal note,  I will be away from January 30 through February 9, 2023.  Fr. Gary Noonan will be with you next weekend.  Fr. Gary’s ministry is dedicated to assisting children who are facing severe financial hardships.  Let us keep Fr. Gary and his ministry in our prayers.
May God be with you!
Fr. Craig



4^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
 
1^st Reading—Zephaniah 2: 3; 3:12-13—“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the earth, “ said Zephaniah the prophet. Do what is right. “Seek justice.” Those who take refuge in the Lord shall pasture their flocks.

Responsorial Psalm:  — “Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!”

2^nd Reading—1 Corinthians 1: 26-31— The weak of the world are chosen by God. “Whoever boasts, should boast in the Lord.”

Gospel Acclamation—Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! “Rejoice and be glad; your reward will be great in heaven.” Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Gospel—Matthew 5: 1-12a—Jesus upset the standards of worldly justice in this charter of the heavenly reign: It belongs not to the rich but to the poor in spirit, not to the powerful but to the lowly, not to warmongers but to peacemakers.

 

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

1) Let us pray for the Church:
God, just and humble Spirit, give us life, wisdom, and justice in
          Christ Jesus.  May we be single-hearted in our devotion to You.
          We pray to the Lord…
2) Let us pray for those who work for peace:
Prosper the work of peacemakers around our globe, O Lord.
Help us build peace and unity in our homes and neighborhoods.
          We pray to the Lord…
3) Let us pray for those who live without basic human necessities:
God, secure justice for the lowly and the oppressed.
May we grow in our awareness of our utter dependence upon You.
          We pray to the Lord…
4) Let us pray for the sick and the suffering:
Lord, give comfort to those who seek healing and renewed strength:
          Allie Rose Frazer            Kathleen & Milo Fabian           Judy Jenks
          Kim Short   Steve Jensen          Bryan Knowles     Larry Slasinski
          Jess Singer  Alan Baumgart     Joann Rolt
          And for all who have asked for our prayers.
          We pray to the Lord…
5) Let us remember the dead:
Lord, may your loving grace touch those for whom we now pray:
          (4:00 Mass)  Nellie & William Emon, Deborah Reed, Tom Rogan, Jr., Patty Stroud, Martin Dlugoss
(8:30 Mass)  Jose’ & Joyce Olmeda
(10:30 Mass)  John Hund

We pray to the Lord…

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS – January 29, 2023

 

1. This year the church celebrates World Marriage Weekend February 11-12th. We are asking you to send Julie an email with your name and number of years married. Those names received will be in the bulletin. All married couples will be asked to stand and receive a blessing. She will need to hear from you by Monday, February 6th.

 
 

1. Once again this year, you have the opportunity to attend a retreat at St. Paul of the Cross. The Men’s weekend is March 3^rd-5^th, and the Women’s weekend is March 24-26^th. Pamphlets with information on how to sign up are on the table outside of the sanctuary.

 

2. Next Sunday, February 5 we will begin offering Liturgy of the Word for Children during the 10:30am Mass.  Each week children will be called up at the beginning of Mass for a special blessing and then be dismissed.  Children will listen to the readings and discuss them at their level of understanding with a catechist.  They then return to Mass before the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  No registration is needed.  All children ages 3 and up are welcome to join us.  Children under the age of 3 must be accompanied by an adult.  

 

3. Teens, please join us in Hardy Hall Sunday evening from 7 to 8:30 p.m. for Sundaes and Scripture.

 

4. Next Saturday, February 4^th we will have our monthly potluck dinner after the 4 p.m. Mass. All are welcome.

 

5. There is NO Monday Mass this week. Please go to St. Daniel’s, they have Mass at 8:30 a.m.

 

6. (Sunday) Please join us in Hardy Hall for coffee, donuts and fellowship.

Mid-life Singles (mid-30s to 50s): Are you looking for a renewed sense of purpose & belonging in the New Year? Register today for a life-changing REFLECT weekend retreat at the St. Francis Retreat Center, in DeWitt, MI (10 miles north of Lansing), on Feb 24-26, 2023. Take a chance and get involved... you won't regret it!  Cost is $215 for meals and a single room. Visit www.ReflectRetreat.com, e-mail [email protected], or
call (586) 770-1772 for details.