"Jesus’ first public words in the Gospel of Luke astonished His listeners. He read from Isaiah: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives...to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor’ (61:1-2). Then he said, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing’ (Luke 4:21).

Pope John Paul II cited this passage as part of what the Jubilee Year 2000 might mean for Christians, when he wrote: ‘As we prepare to enter the next one thousand years of Christian experience, we need to begin where Jesus began: with mercy, jubilee forgiveness, liberation.’

Paradoxically, after two thousand years it might seem strange to think of Jesus as a liberator. His words sound so radical - freeing prisoners, letting the captured get away, bringing the Gospel not to the comfortable but to those who are poor, afflicted, marginalized, lost. This is what the Lord’s ‘favor’ looks like: grace, mercy, and new beginnings."

READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY
Job 7:1-7; 1 Corinthans 9:16-23; Mark 1:29-39

IN THE HOUSE OF GOD
Music "Old" and "New"

You have probably noticed that since Christmas we have been using our "old" sung acclamations for the Eucharistic Prayer and the Breaking of the Bread during Mass. We have not done away with the "new" set of acclamations we learned last Easter (was it that long ago?!) and used through much of last year’s Ordinary Time. We are simply taking advantage of the fact that, as a community, we now know two different sets of acclamations (not to mention our Advent set) and can use them variably or seasonally throughout the year. - P. K.

P.S. We’ll get the words and music of the "Glory to God" back in the pews soon, but in a neater format than the old yellow pages.

*We welcome into the family of God: Carina Giardina, Matthew O’Mahony, Andrew Romero & Dayna Taylor, who were baptized in Christ.

*We pray for the ill: Tony Coogan, Koret Koelman, Terry McLeod, Adela Florez, Ana Cosgaya, Peter Capodonicco, Rosemary McHale, Arthur Candia, Bastiaan Blumenthal, Muriel Krause, Sister Cabrini, Don Vickery, Jeanne McHugh, Catherine Cook, Ann Burns, Imelda Daly, Margarita Velez, Marky, Marlyn Arancibia, Marcia Bourne, Sandra Dill, Millie Blazina, Randall Guerro, Denise Hawald & Cyndy Smerdel.

*We pray for the repose of the soul of: Pat Forbush (mother of Rob Aveson)

As a Parish Community, We Pray

Wisdom to live by:

I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I’ve learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I’ve learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you .

I’ve learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

MENS CLUB ANNUAL CRAB DINNER.....Come and join the Men’s Club annual crab dinner on Feb. 5th. It all starts at 6:30 p.m. with no host cocktails. Dinner and dancing to follow til midnight. The price is $32.50 per person. Please call Mike Salvato for reservations.

MONDAY, JANUARY 31ST
7PM, School Open House...School & Hall

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1ST
6:30-8PM, Legion of Mary.....Library
6:45-8PM, Religious Education .....Hall

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3RD
7-9PM, RCIA.....Chapel
7-9PM, Bob’s Club.....Hall
7-9PM, Parish Planning Committee....Library

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH
9-10AM, Eucharistic Adoration.....Church
6:30PM, Men’s Club Crab Dinner.....Hall