RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
TODAY’S MASS INTENTION: William & Gizella Balog, by Barbara Comiskey
MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:
| February | 5 | Saturday | No Mass | |
| February | 6 | Sunday | 9:15 AM | Steve & Rene Spisak (special intention), by Mary Spisak |
FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: This week, on February 2nd, we will celebrate the feast of the Presentation of the Lord. It commemorates the event of Jesus’s presentation in the Temple (a required ritual for the first-born sons). At this time, the Blessed Mother also would have undergone a ritual – the ritual of purification. Hence, before 1969 the feast was called Purification of Our Lady.
This feast comes 40 days after Christmas. Until 1969 this day officially closed the Christmas season. Many Catholics practice the tradition of keeping out the Nativity creche or other Christmas decorations until this feast. (We too have kept some Christmas decoration for this purpose). This day is also called Candlemas because a tradition has evolved to bless candles on this day. The reason for the connecting the candles to this day is the expression from the gospel of the day that contains the phrase of Simeon when describing Jesus: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles” (Lk 2:32).
This strong symbolic connection is the reason the Church continues to require candles at Mass even if they no longer have a practical purpose. As shown by this feast, from ancient times the lighted candle has been seen as a symbol of the light of Christ. Jesus came into our world of sin and death to bring the light of God to us. He expressed this idea clearly in the Gospel of John: “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (Jn 8:12).
There are some who also point to the use of candles as a remembrance of the early Christians who celebrated Mass in the catacombs by candlelight. It is said that this should remind us of the sacrifice they made as well as the possibility that we too could be in a similar situation, celebrating Mass under threat of persecution. Candles also have been used to add a more festive character to the celebration of Mass. The increased number of candles for a feast is meant to remind the faithful of the special character of that day. Lastly, as the candle burns and diminishes, it reminds us of the words of St. John the Baptism in relation to Jesus Christ: “He must increase, I must decrease.” At our baptism, each one of us has received a lighted candle that symbolizes the fact that we have been joined to Jesus Christ, and the light of Christ through our faith should burn in us as well. This does entail giving up our own will, so that Jesus Christ can increase in us.
LAST WEEKEND’S COLLECTION (1/23): Sunday offering: $517. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY in supporting our parish. Thank you for sending in your offertory donation through the mail. I know the times may be difficult for many people. If you are able at this time to send in your offertory donations, please do so by mail or use the PayPal option found on the website: https://www.stelizabethcleveland.org/donations/
CELEBRATION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONSECRATION OF THE CURRENT CHURCH OF ST. ELIZABETH PARISH: On February 20th, we will celebrate the aforementioned anniversary. The Mass will be at 10AM and Bp. Edward Malesic will be the main celebrant. The repaired bells will be blessed and afterwards a light reception will take place. All of you are invited! For planning purposes, please RSVP to Virginia Kachmar (calling home: 216-791-6270 or cell: 216-246-2370).
ST. EMERIC TRADITIONAL PORK SAUSAGE DINNER ON FEBRUARY 13 WILL BE TAKE-OUT ONLY. The dinner menu: baked pork and rice-liver sausage with side dish of hock-braised sauerkraut and parslied potatoes, bread. Dessert: apricot jam filled puff pastry. Cost $20. To place your order please call by February 8 one of the ladies: Marika Zsula 216-676-5863 or Maria Meszaros 440-331-0391. Dinners may be picked up on Sunday, Feb. 13, from 10 to 11AM or after Mass from 12 noon until 2 PM. Thank you for your support of St. Emeric church.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially, Jay Kovács, Kathy Szabó, Kamilla Szabó and Anna Melega, Dorothy Fromhercz, Alex Szaday, Mária Jánossy.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED.
THIS SUNDAY the 9:15 AM Mass from St. Elizabeth church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saint-elizabeth-of-hungary-church-cleveland-oh-384926355393572 and on the website, https://stemeric.com/
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