Entries for January 2023

CATHOLIC EDUCATION 2023

During this year’s Catholic Schools Week, I would like to focus our attention on our excellent Parish School of Religion and our incredible Annunziata Learning Center.

The religious education and formation of our children is the God given privilege and responsibility of our loving and faith-filled Mothers and Fathers. As pastor, I want to do everything possible to assist Parents with this privilege and sacred trust. Our Parish School of Religion, with Principal, Mrs. Laura Gyawali, and dedicated Teachers and Volunteers, is one of the greatest blessings the Parish can offer Parents on their children’s journey to becoming an active, practicing member of their Catholic Faith.

With the beginning of this new semester, we as a parish want to express our appreciation for the dedication, preparation, and commitment of all those involved with Annunziata’s P.S.R.

THE LEARNING CENTER

For three and a half decades our Parish has committed the resources of our Parish to Catholic Special Education. The results of the Annunziata Learning center are truly miraculous! Ms. Gerre Book, the Principal, who has dedicated her life to these children, and has been with the Learning Center from the beginning, writes:

Dear Parishioners of Annunziata,

With the celebration of Catholic Schools Week, we would like to take this opportunity to express the sincere gratitude of the students, staff, and parents of Annunziata School. We appreciate all that you do for our school. Your commitment to the Catholic education of children who learn differently is truly commendable. With your support, we are able to spread the joy of Christ to many children. Annunziata School truly is a school family because of the wonderful children and staff who are here every day. Thanks to all the parishioners for helping to make Annunziata School a special place for the students and their families.

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SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD

Pope Francis writes: “A profound bond links Sacred Scripture and the faith of believers. Since faith comes from hearing, and what is heard is based on the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17), believers are bound to listen attentively to the Word of the Lord, both in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and in their personal prayer and reflection. Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year (Jan 22,2023) to the Word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the Risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of God’s Word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.”

Consider these benefits of reading the Bible:

1) THE BIBLE IS GOD SPEAKING TO US.

Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. All necessary truths that God intended to communicate for the purpose of our salvation are contained in Sacred Scripture.

2) SACRED SCRIPTURE IS FILLED WITH ENCOURAGEMENT.

By reflecting on God’s past faithfulness, recorded for our memory in the Scriptures, we can be filled with hope for

the future.

3) READING SACRED SCRIPTURE CAN HELP OUR FAITH MATURE.

Many Catholics stop studying their faith when they leave school. This epidemic leaves our adult believers with a stunted faith.

4) BY READING THE BIBLE, WE WILL KEEP FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS.

What if everyone spent as much time with the Bible as they do watching the news or listening to podcasts or scrolling social media?

5) READING SACRED SCRIPTURE TEACHES US TO PRAY.

The Bible is a school of prayer, a training ground which teaches us how to express the things we hold deep in our hearts.

6) THE MORE WE READ SCRIPTURE, THE MORE CLEARLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE.

A suggestion: make a vow to make Christ the center of your life and to know, live, and transmit God’s Word in everything you think, say and do.

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FROM OUR PASTOR …………

SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD

Pope Francis writes:  “A profound bond links Sacred Scripture and the faith of believers.  Since faith comes from hearing, and what is heard is based on the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17),    believers are bound to listen attentively to the Word of the Lord, both in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy and in their personal prayer and reflection.  Devoting a specific Sunday of the liturgical year (Jan 22,2023) to the Word of God can enable the Church to experience anew how the Risen Lord opens up for us the treasury of God’s Word and enables us to proclaim its unfathomable riches before the world.”

Consider these benefits of reading the Bible:

1)   THE BIBLE IS GOD SPEAKING TO US.  

          Catholics believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.  All necessary truths that God intended to communicate            for the purpose of our salvation are contained in Sacred Scripture.

2)   SACRED SCRIPTURE IS FILLED WITH ENCOURAGEMENT.

          By reflecting on God’s past faithfulness, recorded for our memory in the Scriptures, we can be filled with hope for

          the future.

3)   READING SACRED SCRIPTURE CAN HELP OUR FAITH MATURE.  

          Many Catholics stop studying their faith when they leave school.  This epidemic leaves our adult believers with a                  stunted faith.

4)   BY READING THE BIBLE, WE WILL KEEP FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS.  

          What if everyone spent as much time with the Bible as they do watching the news or listening to podcasts or                        scrolling social media?

5)   READING SACRED SCRIPTURE TEACHES US TO PRAY.

          The Bible is a school of prayer, a training ground which teaches us how to express the things we hold deep in our                 hearts.

6)  THE MORE WE READ SCRIPTURE, THE MORE CLEARLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR GOD’S VOICE. 

          A suggestion:  make a vow to make Christ the center of your life and to know, live, and transmit God’s Word in                      everything you think, say and do.

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FROM OUR PASTOR ………… SUNDAY OF THE WORD OF GOD Pope Francis writes:  “A profound bond links Sacred Scripture and the faith of believers.  Since faith comes from hearing, and what is heard is based on the Word of Christ (Rom 10:17),  &n...

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WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

JANUARY 18–25, 2023

The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is: “Do good; seek justice.” (Isaiah 1: 17)

The Prophet Isaiah reflects his concern for the oppressed who suffer from injustice and inequality fed by hypocrisy that leads to disunity. He teaches that God requires righteousness and justice from all of us, to create the peace and unity that God desires. These virtues originate in God’s love for all, and racism runs counter to this vision. Isaiah’s challenge to do good and seek justice together applies equally to us today.

THE MEANING OF THE KING HOLIDAY

By Coretta Scott King

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a

man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate as well the

timeless values he taught us through his example — the values of courage, truth,

justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s

character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the

universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his

revolutionary spirit.

We commemorate Dr. King’s inspiring words, because his voice and his vision filled a great void in our nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn’t enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day, the man who braved threats and jail and beatings and who ultimately paid the highest price to make democracy a reality for all Americans.

The King Holiday honors the life and contributions of America’s greatest champion of racial justice and equality, the leader who not only dreamed of a color­blind society, but who also lead a movement that achieved historic reforms to help make it a reality.

On this day we commemorate Dr. King’s great dream of a vibrant, multiracial nation united in justice, peace and reconciliation; a nation that has a place at the table for children of every race and room at the inn for every needy child. We are called on this holiday, not merely to honor, but to celebrate the values of equality, tolerance and interracial sister and brotherhood he so compellingly expressed in his great dream for America.

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EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

The Epiphany of the Lord is a feast of light that encourages us to continue to seek. It is a quest that will lead us to find Jesus in our Lives—the only ONE capable of giving us hope, peace, and full happiness.

In the Epiphany we recognize Jesus as God, King, and Savior of the World! We can celebrate this Feast with special, but different kinds of gifts, remembering the offerings presented by the Magi to the Child Jesus. A friend sent me a gift that I could give to God at the beginning of 2023: “An examination of conscience for the year 2022 in 25 minutes or less” so that we can look back to see where God has been active in our lives. It’s a way to help us notice, be grateful, and experience the desire for improvement and growth.

1. Remember that you are in God’s presence. That’s essential for any prayer.. It’s not just running through a list or talking to yourself. You’re doing it with God. St. Ignatius used to recommend actually looking at the physical place where you’ll be praying (a chair, on the floor, in a pew) and imagine God looking at you. It helps you to remember God is with you. Or you could simply invite God to be with you. God is always with us, but it’s good to remind ourselves of that, especially when we pray.
2. Call to mind what you’re grateful for. Think of all the wonderful things that happened to you this year. Take your time to do this. Savor them, like you would savor a good meal. And give thanks to God for them. Even if you had a bad year, call to mind what you’re grateful for. You may be surprised by how many wonderful events you’ve forgotten about. Know that these are God’s gifts to you.
3. Review the year. Of course you can’t do this day by day, but perhaps go month by month. Or just do it by topic—family, friends, work and so on. Cast your mind back over the year. Notice where God was present, where you said yes to God’s invitation to greater love. Where God loved you. Notice.
4. Express your sorrow, Surely in the space of 365 days you’ve done some things you regret. Tell God you’re sorry. If you have really harmed someone, today is a good time to seek forgiveness. Think about going to Confession if you’re Catholic and conscious of grave sin. But don’t wallow in your sins; remember you’re human and we all make mistakes.
5. Ask God for the grace to live 2023 as a good person. All of us have things that we need God’s grace to face: health problems, financial problems, family problems, work problems. So ask God for help. Be specific about what you need. St. Ignatius often encouraged people to pray for what they want and need. Finally, ask for the grace to see God’s presence in the New Year.

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MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

In this Christmas Season we remember that “God so loved the world that God the Father gave us His Only Begotten Son, Jesus.” Only because of Mary’s “Fiat” could the Savior of the World, the Prince of Peace, be born into time.

Through the intercession of our Spiritual Mother, may God give us the Grace to pray for Justice and Peace, and accept the responsibility to bring it about through our cooperation with God’s Divine Will.

Through the intercession of Mary, Queen of Peace, let us pray:

“Remember O Most Gracious ever virgin Mary,
that never was it known, that anyone who fled
to your protection, implored your help, or sought
your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by
this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of Virgins,
Our Mother. To you do we come, before you we
stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word
Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your
mercy hear and answer us, Amen.”

Msgr. John Leykam, Deacon Tom Gottlieb, and our entire Staff of Annunziata, wish you a happy, healthy, prayerful, and peace-filled 2023!

MASS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE AT 5 P.M, Saturday, December 31st

MASSES ON NEW YEAR'S DAY 7 A.M., 9 A.M., 11:00 A.M.

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