Saint Michael Parish January 10, 2016

Rev. Arturo Chagala, Parochial Administrator

Ms. Grace Galaschewski, Office Manager Sr. Jennie Catanese, M.S.B.T., Receptionist

The Baptism of The Lord Saint Michael Parish has been a viable part of Fishtown/Northern Liberties for 182 years.

We continue creating a community where all God’s children are treated with dignity & respect and where faith, hope and love/charity are abound.

We welcome all new immigrants and visitors to our parish. La parroquia de Santo Michael ha sido una parte viable de Fishtown/Northern Liberties por 182

años. Continuamos creando una comunidad donde tratamos con dignidad y respeto los niños y donde la fe, la esperanza y el amor/la caridad es abundante.

Damos la bienvenida a todos los nuevos inmigrantes y visitantes a nuestra parroquia. 1

Saint Michael Church Founded 1831

1445 North Second Street Philadelphia, PA 19122

215-739-2358 Fax: 215-739-5766

http://stmichaelsphilly.org E-mail 1saintmichaelchurch@comcast.net

Immaculate Conception Church Front & Allen Streets

Office hours at Saint Michael Monday-Thursday 9 -4:00 p.m.

Friday 9 - 1:00 p.m.

MASS /MISA Sunday

Vigil (Saturday) 5:00 p.m. 8:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m. (IC)

11:30 a.m. (español)

Daily Mass Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.

Holy Days Noon at

Immaculate Conception (IC) 7:00 p.m. at

Saint Michael (bilingual)

CONFESSIONS Saturday 4:15 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

& by request

1/10 The Baptism of The Lord 5:00 PM vigil Felicita Rivera Bonaparte r/o Antonio Bonaparte 8:30 AM Judge William J. Lederer r/o Marie Lederer 10:00 AM Ray Lederer r/o Wife & Children 11:30 AM Felicita Rivera Bonaparte r/o Antonio Bonaparte

1/11 Monday Weekday 8:00 AM Felicita Rivera Bonaparte r/o Antonio Bonaparte

1/12 Tuesday Weekday 8:00 AM Felicita Rivera Bonaparte r/o Antonio Bonaparte

1/13 Wednesday St. Hilary, Bishop & Doctor of the Church 8:00 AM Joseph McGough r/o Dolores McGough

1/14 Thursday Weekday 8:00 AM The People of the Parish

1/15 Friday Weekday 8:00 AM A Special Intention r/o a parishioner

1/17 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 5:00 PM vigil Grace Harris r/o Geri McTear 8:30 AM Joan McDevitt r/o John & Markie Geist 10:00 AM Catherine Johnston, 1st Anniversary, r/o Colleen Johnston 11:30 AM Deacon Zoile Martes & Carmen Martes r/o Mr. & Mrs. Nicostra

SANCTUARY LIGHTS will burn in the Churches this week for

Rudolph, Maria & Frank Zotter at the request of Bernadette Zotter.

SUNDAY COLLECTIONS: December 25, 2015 Total Christmas Offering (to date) $ 3,185.00 December 27, 2015 1st Collection $ 1,482.00 Christmas Flowers (to date) $ 598.00 January 3, 2016 1st Collection $ 1,288.00 Immaculate Conception (to date) $ 390.00 Solemnity of Mary (to date) $ 627.00 =====================================================

LITURGICAL MINISTERS January 17, 2016 5:00 PM Lector & Euch. Min.: As Available 8:30 AM Lector: Walt Daskaluk Euch. Min.: Alberta Brown 10:00 AM Lector: Maria Tanczak Euch. Min.: Grace Galaschewski 11:30 AM Lectors: Cruz & Angellica Rodriguez Euch. Min.: As Available ====================================================================================

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SICK: Sis Clemens, Ralph Berarducci, Barbara Schindle, Maria Rivera, Osealdo Rodriguez, Joseph Galdo,

Isabella Lederer, Bianca Mercado, Joanne Sherman, Mary Zarowski, Dorothy Schill, Rosita Renta, Millie Adair, Olga Espada, Hilda Rodriguez,

Pat Regler,Maria Cruz, Freddie Nagle, our benefactors,

those who have asked for our prayers & those who have no one to pray for them.

Remember also to pray for all our deceased relatives and friends.

New Parishioners/Nuevos Feligreses Welcome. Please call the rectory and make an appointment to register as soon as possible.

Bienvenidos. Favor de llamar la rectoría y haga una cita para inscribirse lo mas antes posible. Change of Address/Cambio de Direccion

Please notify the parish secretary if you plan to move. Favor de notificar la secretaria de la parroquia si planificas mudarse.

Collection Envelopes/Sobres para la colecta Every working person should support the parish by regularly using their envelopes - they can be obtained by

calling the rectory or filling out one of the “welcome” envelopes at the entrance of the church. Cada persona de trabajo debe habitualmente apoyar la parroquia usando los sobres—puedes obtenerlos

llamando la rectoría o llenando unos de los sobres maracados “bienvenidos” en entrada de la iglesia. 214-2

January 10, 2016 The Baptism of The Lord Jesus is the beloved Son of the Father.

He is the light of the nations and Lord of all creation. To him be all glory and praise!

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January 10, 2016 The Baptism of The Lord The Baptism of Jesus

The Baptism of Jesus simultaneously marks the inauguration of Jesus’ earthly ministry as well as marking the beginning of the decline of John the Bap-tist’s ministry. Many in Israel wondered if John might be the Messiah. Yet the last prophet declares with assurance that he is not even worthy to untie the laces of the Messiah’s sandals. John, the official herald of the coming king was waiting for the Christ to be revealed. The baptism of Jesus fulfills that need as the Messiah is identified to John by a special Theophany of the Ho-ly Spirit. It is this identification which enables the Baptist to complete his task as herald. But the herald must wait his turn to announce the king’s arrival; the first public announcement is made by God the Father himself. Some people have asked why was Jesus bap-tized. John’s baptism was the baptism of repentance but Jesus was sinless and had no need of repentance.

It is here at his baptism that the perfect one in-tentionally identifies himself with repentant sinners, and demonstrates his full humility. His baptism sym-bolized the sinners’ baptism into the righteousness of Christ, dying with Him and rising free from sin and able to walk in the newness of life. It is at his bap-tism where the redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ begins. In addition, Jesus coming to John showed His approval of John's baptism , bearing witness to it, that it was from heaven and approved by God.

Most importantly, the occasion of the public baptism recorded for all future generations the perfect embodiment of the Triune God revealed in glory from heaven. The testimony directly from heaven of the Father’s pleasure with the Son and the descending of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus is a beautiful picture of the Trinitarian nature of God.

It also depicts the work of the Father, Son, and Spirit in the salvation of those Jesus came to save.

The Father loves the elect from before the foundation of the world. He sends His Son to seek and save the lost and the Spirit convicts of sin and draws the believer to the Father through the Son.

All the glorious truth of the mercy of God through Jesus Christ is on display at His baptism.

Ordinary Time

With the Baptism of Jesus the Christmas season ends and Ordinary Time begins.

While the word “ordinary” in popular usage is used to describe things that are nondescript or dull, ordinary rather means customary, regular, and order-ly. Ordinary Time may also be called Ordinal Time, which means numbered time. Ordinal comes from the Latin “ordinalis”, which is a word meaning “showing order, denoting an order of succession.”

Hence, Ordinary Time is the standard, order-ly, counted time outside of the other liturgical sea-sons. There is nothing “dull” about Ordinary Time.

Ordinary time is the longest liturgical season in the Catholic Church, encompassing either 33 or 34 weeks each year. Because other liturgical seasons begin or end with movable feasts, the length of Ordi-nary time can vary slightly; however, 33 week is the more common length. The weeks are numbered, e.g. the 1st Sunday of Ordinary time etc.

Technically ordinary time is one liturgical season though it is divided into two periods. The first period starts the day after the Bap-tism of Jesus and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday. This portion of Ordinary Time focuses on the childhood of Jesus and then on the public ministry of Christ. The second portion of Ordinary Time begins after Pentecost and is much longer than the first. This period lasts through the final day before Ad-vent. Because this portion occurs after the celebra-tions of Jesus' Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension this segment of Ordinary Time is focused on the Age of the Church. The Age of the Church is the age we live in now, the time that exists between the Age of the Apostles and the second and last coming of Christ for which we are preparing.

This period is also focused on Christ’s reign as King of kings; the Feast of Christ the King caps off the season of Ordinary Time as the final Sunday before Advent begins.

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January 10, 2016 The Baptism of The Lord

Domingo Escritura Reflexions

Primera lectura Isaías 42:1-4, 6-7

La lectura de hoy podría llamarse el tema musi-cal de Jesús, aunque fue escrito mucho antes de que él naciera. Conocida en el Antiguo Testamento como una de las cuatro "Canciones del sufrimiento del que sir-ve”, esta lectura describe a alguien que parece exacta-mente como Jesús. Y Jesús cita algunos de estos versos del profeta, quien probablemente estaba describiendo a Israel mismo. Aceptando su propio sufrimiento, y con-tinuando fiel a Dios, Israel podía ser "la luz de las na-ciones."

Para nosotros, esta lectura es un retrato inspira-do en Jesús, el sirviente que sufre, que trae humilde-mente la justicia, la libertad y la paz al pueblo de Dios.

Segunda lectura Hechos 10:34-38

Cornelio, el centurión romano, y sus seguidores convertidos al cristianismo, se deleitan hoy escuchando a los apóstoles decir que "Dios no hace diferencia entre una persona y otra”. Algunos de los primeros judíos cristianos creían que la buena nueva de Jesús era sola-mente para los judíos. Pero Pedro insistió en que la mi-sión de Jesús era para todas las naciones. Resaltó el bautismo de Jesús como el principio de su ministerio, el día en que fue "ungido por el poder del Espíritu San-to".

Evangelio Lucas 3: 15-16, 21-22

Queremos ser reconocidos por lo que realmente somos. La lectura del evangelio de hoy describe ese día memorable, cuando Jesús tuvo el placer de ser re-conocido por Juan el Bautista y considerado por Dios como "mi Hijo amado". Aunque Jesús no necesitaba ser bautizado (nació sin pecado), quería identificarse y acercarse lo más posible al pueblo de Dios. Toma algunos minutos para dar las gracias por tu bautismo. Pídele a Jesús que te ayude a reconocerte más profundamente como un hijo de Dios.

Sunday Scripture Reflections

Reading 1 Isaiah 42:1-4,6-7 Today's reading might be called Jesus' theme song, even though it was written long before his birth. Known as one of the four "suffering Servant Songs" in the Old Testament, this reading describes someone who sounds exactly like Jesus. And Jesus himself quotes some of these lines from the prophet, who was probably describing Israel itself. By accepting his own suffering and remaining faithful to God, Israel could be "a light for the nations."

For us, the reading is an inspiring portrait of Jesus, the Suffering Servant, who humbly brings jus-tice, freedom, and peace to God's people.

Reading 2 Acts 10:34-38

Today the Roman centurion Cornelius and his fellow converts to Christianity are delighted to hear the apostle say that "God shows no partiality." Some of the early Jewish Christians believed that the good news of Jesus was intended only for the Jews. But Peter insisted that Jesus' mission was to all nations. He pointed to the Baptism of Jesus as the beginning of his ministry, the day when he was "anointed with the Holy Spirit and power."

Gospel Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

We all want to be recognized for who we real-ly are. Today's gospel reading describes that memora-ble day when Jesus had the joy of being recognized by John the Baptist and approved by God as "God's beloved Son." Although Jesus did not need to be bap-tized (since he was without sin), he wanted to identify himself as closely as possible with God's people. Take a few minutes today to be thankful for your Baptism. Ask Jesus to help you recognize your-self more deeply as a beloved daughter or son of God.

Baptism/Bautismos Call the Rectory to make arrangements. Parents and sponsors must attend an instruction class.

Llame la rectoría para hacer arreglos. Padres y padrinos deben asistir clases de instrucción.

Marriage/Matrimonio Arrangements must be made six months in advance in order to fulfill Diocesan requirements.

Debe hacer arreglos seis meses de antemano para cumplir los requisitos diocesanos.

Care for the Sick/Cuido para los enfermos In the occasion of an emergency call the rectory immediately. Call the rectory for visits at home to the elderly and infirm or when someone enters the hospital and wishes a visit from the parish priest.

En caso de una emergencia llame la rectoría inmediatamente. Para visitas en casa de las personas mayores y enfermas o cuando alguien este en el hospital y desee una visita del sacerdote lla-me la rectoría.

January 10, 2016 The Baptism of The Lord

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Excerpts from Pope Francis’ Bull of Indiction of the

Jubilee of Mercy

A program for the Year of Mercy -

We want to live this Jubilee Year in light of the Lord’s words: Merciful like the Father. It is a program of life as demanding as it is rich with joy and peace. Jesus’ command is directed to anyone willing to listen to his voice. Merciful like the Father, therefore, is the “motto” of this Holy year. 1. Listening to the Word of God/ recovering the

value of silence -

In order to be capable of mercy, therefore, we must first of all dispose ourselves to listen to the Word of God. This means rediscovering the value of silence in order to meditate on the Word that comes to us. In this way, it will be possible to contemplate God’s mercy and adopt it as our lifestyle.

2. The practice of pilgrimage -

The practice of pilgrimage has a special place in the Holy Year, because it represents the journey each of us makes in this life. Life itself is a pilgrimage, and the human being is a viator, a pilgrim traveling along the road, making his way to the desired destination. Similarly, to reach the Holy Door in Rome or in any other place in the world, everyone, each according to his or her ability, will have to make a pilgrimage. This will be a sign that mercy is also a goal to reach and requires dedication and sacrifice. May pilgrimage be an impetus to conversion: by crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, we will find the strength to embrace God’s mercy and dedicate ourselves to being merciful with others as the Father has been with us. 3. Forgiving and giving -

Jesus asks us also to forgive and to give. To be instruments of mercy because it was we who first re-ceived mercy from God. To be generous with others, knowing that God showers his goodness upon us with immense generosity.

(to be continued…)

An Important Announcement for All Parishioners

A New Year and a New Beginning For All— St. Michael’s Church is offering the following:

Catechesis for Youth and Adults

COME AND LISTEN

“Come to me, all you who labor and are overbur-dened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

When: Mondays and Thursdays— at 7:30 P.M. starting January 11, 2016

Where: St. Michael’s Church Hall (Free Babysitting Provided) ===========================================

*********************** A Little Bit of Wisdom

You are strangers and aliens no longer, but members

of the household of God. Ephesians 2:19

************************

214 St. Michael, Philadelphia (C) John Patrick Publishing Co. 1-800-333-3166 • www.jppc.net

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