A sincere welcome to those who are new among us. We hope you find a warm and welcoming faith-home with us. Please introduce yourself after Mass and call the Rectory to register.

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A) JANUARY 23, 2005

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY:
The scandal of dis-unity between Christian Churches is still a reality. This coming week we pray more urgently that Jesus Christ may show us the way and lead us to reconciliation. We still have far to go. At the same time, we recognize that, for example, between Anglicans and Roman Catholics, between the Orthodox Churches and the Roman Catholic Church, between Lutherans and Roman Catholics the differences are not as huge as we once thought they were. If we were a bit more deeply rooted in Jesus Christ, we might be able to overcome the still remaining differences.

This year's theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is "Our Foundation in Jesus Christ". You cannot get more basic than that. Attached to the bulletin is a series of eight biblical reflections on that theme of Jesus Christ as our common foundation. Could we find some time this week to use them at home, either by ourselves or better still as a family or even better still with members of other churches? Are we comfortable to share with each other and to support each other in our faith in Jesus Christ? That is also one of the aims of the long-term diocesan catechetical project.

THIS IS THE YEAR OF MATTHEW:
In case you wonder what this refers to, it has to do with the Scripture readings at Sunday Mass, more specifically the Gospel reading. This year you will notice that the Gospel reading is taken from Matthew's gospel. Of all the Scripture readings at Mass the Gospel is the dominant one. It has its bearing on the first reading from the Old Testament which is chosen in light of the Gospel passage; either by comparison, or as fulfilment, or as contrast. Following the first reading we have the responsorial psalm which in turn is chosen in light of the Old Testament reading.

This linking of Scripture readings does not apply to the second reading (at least not during Ordinary Time when the priest wears the green vestments). There we usually walk through parts of the letters of the Apostle Paul.

THE JESUS OF MATTHEW'S GOSPEL: A DIFFERENT PORTRAIT:
Each Gospel writer had his own agenda for writing; and each Gospel has its own unique portrait of Jesus. Matthew's gospel is very Jewish in character. Matthew makes Jesus into a teacher and interpreter of the Jewish law. Matthew's Jesus brings the Jewish law to its most eloquent and definitive expression. In this case, law is not a burden, but a trusted friend. Jesus himself, as faithful son of God, is obedient to it.

Another characteristic of Matthew's Gospel is that it is made up of five major speeches by Jesus and six major narratives about Jesus that gives Matthew the opportunity to present Jesus as teacher, the one who preaches the coming of God's kingdom. The narratives, on the other hand, gives us the image of Jesus as healer for the crowds of people seeking health and liberation from pain and death and experiencing in Jesus the healing power of God.

FAITH FORMATION:
Everyone is invited Monday, January 24, 7:00 p.m. to a follow-up session of the November meeting held for parents interested in faith formation.

WORK ON THE WEBSITE PROGRESSING:
Last Tuesday's PPC meeting dealt for a good part with the material to go on our Website. So far, the only thing you find on it is our weekly bulletins. But more is coming. Stay tuned. For a review of the bulletins go to www.stmalachyolv.com

DISCOVERING JESUS CHRIST: THE PATH TO FREEDOM (7)
Who is to take the lead in the sort of catechesis that is called for today? Who will form us in the Christian life? Of course, the principal actor is that adventure in the Spirit that Jesus promised.

But that Spirit acts above all through the community, through the quality of its Christian life. The most sophisticated religious education programs won't do; properly celebrated liturgies won't do. What is most important is how as a faith community we live from and give hands and feet to the Gospel of Jesus: in our caring for each other, in our being attentive to the needs of the world around us, in our taking time out for the God we worship, in the spiritual nourishment we take from the Bible that bears witness to God's love for us all.

All this is not first and foremost for children. This is above all adult stuff and covers the whole range of Christian living in all its aspects. If we would want the Gospel of Jesus to have a chance of being heard and being believed in our time, then it will depend on the quality of Christian life in the faith communities. And what is more, we'll have to make it evident that this Gospel of Jesus has something worthwhile to say about the things of life that prevent us from going to sleep at night and that we wake up with in the morning.

How do we go about having the whole parish community become such a "catechetical agent"; in other words, by having the whole parish community be serious about continuing its faith.

ANY CANDIDATES FOR FIRST COMMUNION?:
Please register now as we plan to start our journey to the Table of the Lord on January 29.

CONGRATULATIONS to Pearl French who recently celebrated her birthday. May she be blessed with good health.

O.L.V. SUNDAY ENVELOPES:
Please do not use your 2004 envelopes. Your donations may accidentally be credited to someone else, because the envelope numbers for 2004 and 2005 are not the same in some cases.

FOR INCOME TAX RECEIPTS - O.L.V.:
Please drop a self-addressed envelope in the collection basket.

ARTISTS:
A group of artists meet in the O.L.V. basement every Monday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Some painting experience is preferable as there is no teacher. Cost is $2.00 per evening.