Epiphany of the Lord January 7, 2024

       Our Lady of Peace Parish
Also Serving Our Lady of the Smile Parish, Waterhen Lake and
St. Jude’s Parish, Green Lake

Office Hours: Closed Monday
Tuesday - Friday 1-4:00 pm
Office Phone:  306-236-5122 
Cell Phone: 306-304-7271

Parish Email: [email protected] Pastor Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Catholic Church Meadow Lake
Website: https://www.meadowlakecatholicchurch.com/
Address: 504-3rd Ave. East, Meadow Lake, SK S9X 1H5  
 
  Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
Psalm 72 Refrain
 
Our Vision:
A Community of Disciples
Our Mission
We commit to form disciples
who joyfully and faithfully
live out the mission of
Jesus Christ
by enriching our relationship
with God and neighbour
through the intercession of
Our Lady of Peace.
Pastor: 
Fr. Uche Umechikelu, MSP
Parish Secretary:
Pat Bencharski
 
Masses
Intentions

When there is a funeral, the daily mass will normally be cancelled.  Check Facebook for the most up-to-date information.  On Tuesday to Friday and on Sunday, Our Lady of Peace masses will be livestreamed on Facebook.

Mon., Jan. 8 – No mass
 
Tues., Jan. 9 – 10:00 am  Liturgy with Communion at the Lodge
 
Tues., Jan. 9 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - +Travis Remarchuk by the Remarchuk Family

Wed., Jan. 10 – 6:30 pm (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Anonymous

Thurs., Jan. 11 – 8:30 – 9:30 am Exposition/Adoration before mass
Thurs., Jan. 11 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Anonymous

Fri., Jan. 12 – 9:30 am (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - Anonymous

Sat., Jan. 13 – 5:00 pm (St. Jude’s Green Lake) - People of God

Sun., Jan. 14 – 10:00 am – (Our Lady of Peace Church & Facebook) - People of God

Sun., Jan. 14 – 3:00 pm (Our Lady of the Smile Waterhen) - People of God

THIS WEEK IN THE PARISH

1. Catechism classes resume today, Sunday, January 7 after mass.
2. Marriage class and registration of new couples begins Wednesday, January 10 at 11:00 am.
3. Baptism classes will be starting in January for anyone who wishes to have their child baptized. Please register with the office.

Sunday Collection – Dec. 31:  Meadow Lake $3138.30   Green Lake – $161.20   Children’s Collection $10.00
 
The Pope’s Prayer Intention for January – For the gift of diversity in the Church – We pray that the Holy Spirit may help us to recognize the gift of different charisms within the Christian community and to discover the richness of different traditions and rituals in the Catholic Church.
 
New Year’s Greetings – Deacon Bill and Lorraine Thibeault wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that all have a peaceful and joyful year.
 
Bishop’s Annual Appeal – Thank you to everyone who generously donated to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal.   As of Dec.31 our parish has 33 pledges for $11,170.25. Green Lake has 1 pledge for $600.00. To date the diocese has received 1198 pledges for $406875.25.
 
Today’s solemnity continues the celebration of the astonishing mystery of God’s manifestation to the very ends of the earth. The visitors from the East symbolize the extent of God’s salvation as it unfolds for peoples of every land. As they offer gifts, as would be fitting for a king, they announce to the world that an astonishing event has taken place; all peoples will know the glory of God.
 
Scripture Insights – Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord
Taken from Source Book for Sundays, Seasons and Weekdays 2024:  The Almanac for Pastoral Liturgy, LTP Liturgy Training Publications Copyright 2023, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago, IL 60609, pg. 50.
 
            The first two chapters of Matthew’s Gospel account are commonly referred to as the infancy narrative, and this material is often divided into several sections. Today’s verses are frequently identified as “the adoration of the Magi.” Another element may be important to note. The word Bethlehem, the place of Jesus’ birth, appears four times in these twelve verses. Might we consider this town, this earthly place, a specific location at a given time in human history, where Jesus, son of David and Son of God, is made manifest in human flesh? It is because of this mystery of the incarnation that the author of the Letter to the Ephesians could write of the Spirit “that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise of Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
                    
·         As the prophet Isaiah’s voice continues to guide our way through this season, consider what it would have meant for those bearing witness to the birth of Jesus. Beyond a miraculous event, the arrival of the messiah as a helpless newborn to a teenage mother in a foreign land: the events surrounding this birth are the fulfillment of prophecy. As the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh arrive, those who are keen to the Scripture study of the day would have raised their eyes: “We were told about this!”
·         The themes of journey to a foreign land will certainly be resonant in communities with large populations of immigrants. See them, honor them: journey, mission, refuge – all these themes are the lived experience of your community. We do well to recognize this reality as gift and tradition: travelers are always in good company with the Scriptures.
·         There are so many messages from dreams in the Advent and Christmas seasons: what dreams are guiding the discernment of you and your community?
 
DIOCESAN NEWS AND BEYOND
 
WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2024
Please share with your church networks:

The 2024 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is on the theme "You shall love the Lord your God ... and your neighbour as yourself" based on Luke 10:25-37. This year's theme was prepared by an ecumenical team in Burkina Faso.

Resources include an Order of Service, a Bible study, and various reflections on the theme. There are also hymn suggestions and resources for children, high schools, and university campuses. Download these free materials at https://www.weekofprayer.ca/2024-wpcu-resources