ARE YOU NEW TO OUR PARISH? WELCOME!
Welcome to those who want to make our parish their faith home. You may have come from other places. You may have been “away for a while”. Be assured that we love to have you among us. We would appreciate it very much if you identified yourself at Mass. It would also help if you would take the time to fill out a registration form. The next time you are with us, you may leave it in the collection basket or give it to one of the ushers or to the priest. Thank you and welcome.

THIS IS THE YEAR OF LUKE WITH ITS OWN PORTRAIT OF JESUS
In the course of this year (for the Church it is Year C), the majority of the Gospelreadings at Sunday Mass are taken from Luke’s Gospel. Luke has his own portrait of Jesus, quite different from Matthew (read in Year A), Mark (read in Year B) and John (read throughout the three years, especially in the high seasons).

Here follows a few observations that Normand Bonneau makes about Luke’s Gospel:

There is something unique in the way Luke has structured the story of Jesus’ public ministry. After the Infancy Narrative (chapters 1 & 2), Luke divides the story of Jesus into three main sections: the Galilean ministry (3:1-9:30); the journey from Galilee to Jerusalem , also called the travel narrative ( 9:31-18:14 ) the Judean ministry ( 18:15-23:40 ). That second section with its travel motif is especially unique to Luke. It gives Luke the opportunity to pattern Jesus’ turning to Jerusalem along the lines of the Exodus — Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem becomes a passage through death to new life.

In the course of this Year C we will hear stories of Jesus that we do not find in Matthew, Mark or John. Among these are such well-beloved passages as the episode of Martha and Mary, the healing of the ten lepers, the story of Zacchaeus, and the parables of the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Unjust Judge, the Pharisee and the Publican. From these and similar stories Luke paints his distinctive portrait of Jesus as a man of goodness and gentleness, who seeks out the poor and the lowly, who is merciful and full of compassion, all this to let us know what God is really like. These stories of Jesus that Luke gives us are not isolated incidents; they are very much part of the larger story of Jesus, his ultimate transforming passage through death to life in which we as disciples of Jesus are called to participate.

PREPARING FOR SACRAMENTS - LEGITIMATE, BUT MUCH MORE IS CALLED FOR
With our candidates for confirmation and first communion among us this Sunday, we cannot help but reflect once more on the challenges we face today. These challenges do not only pertain to our younger parishioners; they involve all of us.

The preparation for sacraments is really a small part of a more inclusive process. In fact, if that more inclusive process is skipped or largely ignored, then the actual preparation for the sacraments bears little fruit.

What is that more inclusive process? At least two elements should be mentioned:

1. Growing into a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is much more than knowing something about the Jesus of 2000 years ago. It has to do with growing into a relationship with the now living Jesus, the Risen Lord Jesus. Part of that is also a growing into the core values, symbols and behaviour of Christian life. Needless to say, that is a life-long process. Seeing our lives defined and shaped by the living Lord Jesus is never finished until we come finally home in God. After all, a more profound union with Jesus Christ does not stand on its own. It leads us into sharing life with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, which is the ultimate destiny to which we are all called. Surely, we want to give our children a taste for that, but it is really an adult affair.



2. The most important agent in this sort of growing into a relationship with the Lord Jesus is obviously the Holy Spirit promised by Jesus. But that Holy Spirit has an important collaborator: the parish community, the community of faith that the Spirit inspires. However necessary “sacramental preparation teams” are, it is the parish community and, within that parish community, especially the family, that — with the help of God’s grace — initiate our younger members into Jesus Christ and into the Kingdom values, symbols and life style. So much depends here on the family and on regular contact with the parish community.

THE LIVING WITH CHRIST SUNDAY MISSALS OF MORE USE AT HOME THAN IN THE CHURCH
That may sound like a contradiction, but it is not. Pages 552-554 in the Sunday Missal, written by Bishop Raymond J. Lahey, give a good explanation.

So, our recommendation is to take the Sunday Missal home, and use it there. If you could leave $5.00 for it, that would be much appreciated.

OLV CHOIR PRACTICE
Interested in joining us at our next choir practice? We would love to see you there! Please meet us at 7 pm on Wednesday February 7 at OLV. Of special note, we will soon begin practicing for the Triduum --those 3 biggest days of our Christian calendar beginning on April 5th! Come and sing!

FIRST COMMUNION PREPARATION
The next session in the preparation program will be on Tuesday, February 13, 7:30 pm. This is a session for parents.

INCOME TAX RECEIPTS - OLV
Please drop off a self-addressed stamped envelope in the collection basket or at the rectory, if you wish to receive an Income Tax Receipt for 2006.