Dear Parishioners, 

   Today we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Forty days have passed since we celebrated the joyful feast of the Nativity of the Lord. Today is the blessed day when Jesus was presented in the temple by Mary and Joseph. Outwardly he was fulfilling the law, but in reality, he was coming to meet his believing people. Prompted by the Holy Spirit, Simeon and Anna came to the temple. Enlightened by the same Spirit, they recognized the Lord and confessed him with exultation. 

   Mary and Joseph bring to the temple the first born who, in accordance with the law, had to be redeemed or “bought back’ by means of the prescribed sacrifice. Thirty-three years later, Jesus himself will be the sacrifice that is offered on our behalf, for our redemption. Additionally, Mary’s unique and maternal share in her son's redemptive suffering – the sword that will pierce her heart - means that we always have a place in her heart: we can turn to her with our sufferings and our sins.     

   Finally, the candles that are traditionally blessed on this day, also known as Candlemass, reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world and the light of our life. 

   Saint of the Month: Join us for Faith Night this Wednesday. We will be highlighting the Saint of the Month, which will be St. Bernadette. Come and learn more about this amazing saint, who as a teenager, meet the Blessed Virgin Mary in the grotto at Lourdes France in 1858. Bernadette was a simple shepherdess girl whom our Lady chose to be her instrument on earth to bring much love and consolation to a suffering world.