Remember in your prayers: Mary Sexton, Archbishop Kurtz, Helen Lucas, Gavin Francis, Jo Ellen’s mom, Mary Ellen, Dolores Hayden, the Boniewski family, Lonnie Howard, Katie Kon, and Mary Beth Norris.
Also remember in your prayers the homebound, those in nursing homes, those who have no one to pray for them, those in prisons, physical or mental and those who have unspoken prayer requests.
LETTER TO A SUFFERING CHURCH, a book by Bishop Robert Barron, is in the narthex. It is written by a bishop on the sexual abuse crisis for his fellow Catholics who feel, understandably, demoralized, scandalized, angry beyond words and ready to quit. Feel free to take a copy and read why he urges us to stay and fight.
The annual Bishop’s Appeal announcement will be this weekend, with Commitment Sunday next weekend.
BLESSING OF THROATS will be held next Sunday, February 2, after Mass.
Happy February Birthday to:
1 Lonnie Howard 23 Lynn Pemberton-Werner 26 Tom Ogle
THE SUNDAY MORNING “CLASSES” at St. Ann that Father Michael started holding several weeks ago, are still ongoing. We will soon begin a study of the Mass. Fr. Sweeney has topic ideas for each week but there is no set agenda, so if you come with questions, the answers might be that week’s agenda! There is no assigned homework and no tests! Informal and very informative. Those who have attended, even cradle Catholics, have learned a lot and now have a much deeper understanding of, and greater appreciation for, our Catholic faith and customs. Feel free to join us and see what you think. Starts at 7:30 a.m. Sunday mornings in the Holy Family Room. No pre-registration required!
*Father Michael's "Penny Catechism"(A fun and informative little morsel of Catholic teaching and trivia)* Last week's question along with the answer:
Question #155: There are several ancient myths that predate and include some of the same things that form part of the nativity of Jesus. For instance; a savior being born of a virgin. Did Christianity "borrow" story elements from these myths? How would you explain this if asked?
Answer: Long before the similarities of these ancient myths were noted, the Church recognized God's truth as universal. That is to say, the truth is objective and stands independently. It is not surprising that ancient myths tapped into some of these concepts long before they actually happened in the course of our salvation history.
Question #156: Some prayers are traditionally referred to as "Acts" such as the Act of Contrition. Why?
(The answer will appear in next week’s bulletin along with a new question)