THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD ~ JANUARY 8, 2023

STAR OF THE SEA, CANSO

ST. AGNES, LITTLE DOVER

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL, QUEENSPORT

ST. JOSEPH’S, PORT FELIX

PASTOR: FR. JONATHAN NNAJIOFOR, 366-2927

CONGREGATION OF NOTRE DAME 358-2346

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEMBERS:
Donna Jackson, Janet Delorey, Cynthia Creamer,
Calvin Harnish, Agnes Casey, Corrine Munroe,
Gerry Parker, Gelly Parker, Paul Horne,
Sr. Alma, Marie Parker, Fr. Jonathan

The complete text of this bulletin is also available on the parish's website at www.cansoparishes.org

WEEKEND MASS TIMES

Saturday, January 14 - 6:00 p.m. - St. Joseph, Port Felix - †Timmy Tibbo

Sunday, January 15 - 11:00 a.m. Star of the Sea, Canso - †Isabel Munroe

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE:

Thursday, January 12 - 6:00 p.m. - St. Anthony’s Chapel - ♥For the Faithful

NOTES: The churches of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Agnes are now closed for the winter months. MASS will resume the first weekend in May, 2023.

COMMUNION CALLS - If you know of anyone who is unable to get out to Mass and would like to receive Holy Communion, please call the parish office to have their name added to the list.

REFLECTION ON TODAY’S READINGS

Have you seen His Star? - The three Wise Men from the East had not only observed the signs of the time but also drawn conclusions from them. God knew the greatest desire of their heart. Whether they were actually kings or not, we are not very sure. But what do we notice about them? They did not remain obsessed with the affairs of their kingdom or set their hearts on how to play power politics. They had an ambition, a desire greater than all these things - to see the face of the Messiah. God knew the deepest longing of their hearts and gave them a sign: the Star. They readily responded to God’s call and set out without fear, though the way was unknown and dangerous.

Have you seen His Star? Have you heard His call to search for Him? He sends His Star even today to us in different ways and through different persons and situations, to find Him and adore Him. A wise person and only such a one will recognize the Star of the Lord. The person is attuned to the Spirit who speaks to him/her. The person will know his/her vocation and will have the courage and generosity to follow it.

The question is: Are you ready to listen to Him, to recognize the One who calls you, and do you want to meet Him? Are you prepared to take the risk, to accept the challenges in following Him, and to offer your life as a gift to Him, through faith, hope, love, and service? Nothing could stop the Magi until they had met the Lord and could offer Him their gifts. What about you? Are you afraid? Can anything in the world, be it fame or glory or pleasures or wealth or fear, stop you from meeting the Lord?

MEMORY TREES - a very special thank you for your support, it has been the best ever! Thank you to the organizers and all who contribute to this event. Profit will be announced next weekend.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS

Star of the Sea (22) 972.00

Initial (11) 98.00

Loose 15.00

St. Agnes (18) 140.00

St. Vincent de Paul (1) 200.00

St. Joseph (25) 385.00

Loose 20.00

Christmas (14) 245.00

Initial (2) 15.00

Memory Balls 835.00

Thank you so very much for your support.

STAR OF THE SEA NEWS

Property and Finance Committee - Tuesday, March 7 at 6:15 p.m. in the meeting room

Trivia Night - Saturday, January 21 at Canso Hazel Hill Fire Hall starting at 7:00 p.m. Anyone wishing to donate a pizza or volunteer in any way is asked to contact a Ways & Means Committee member. Please spread the word.

Fund-Raising Events Calendar for 2023 will be available next weekend. Please consider how you can help out in the upcoming year. Your support in the past has been just wonderful and thank you so very much.

ST. JOSEPH NEWS

Card Play - Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m.

ST. AGNES NEWS - Bingo, Sundays at 7:00

LITURGY COMMITTEE - will meet in early February, date to be announced.

NOTES

Burying the Dead and Grieving Well:

The new practices concerning the treatment of the bodies of the departed have direct consequences on the way we live out our grief. They also influence our ability to embark upon a path of healing after the loss we have experienced. The Catholic Bishops of Canada offer this guide to dealing with death and the various forms of bodily disposition, as well as the Catholic liturgical and pastoral practices that accompany the grieving process. It is hoped to be useful for families and friends dealing with the loss of a loved one, for pastors and those who welcome and accompany the bereaved, as well as for those in the funeral industry who take the religious dimension into account. The full document can be accessed on the CCCB website at https://www.cccb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CCCB_Burying_the_Dead.pdf?utm_medium=Pamphlet&utm_campaign=BTD