Sunday, 5th February 2012

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“The fever left her and she began to wait on them.” One of the lovely features of the Gospels is the number of healing stories they contain. Nothing is too big or too small to bring to Jesus. He raised Lazarus from the dead; he healed Peter’s mother-in-law from a fever. That same Jesus is with us and among us with the same power and the same longing, to heal us into wholeness. All we have to do is ask him for what we need for ourselves and for one another and know that he will answer. We all need his healing power in so far as we set limits to our love for one another because his great commandment is to love. Husbands and wives often need to stretch their love into forgiveness if they are to go forward together. Parents need to grow in understanding of their children. And in our faith community we need Christ’s power to help us to take true responsibility for those in need.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

Sunday, 5th February 2012

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Job 7:1-4.6-7
Restlessly I fret till twilight falls.

Second Reading: Corinthians 9:16-19.22-23
I do not boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty which has been laid on me; I should be punished if I did not preach it.

Gospel: Mark 1:29-39
He cured many who suffered from diseases of one kind or another.

Reflection:

Living God, source of light and life,
we come to you as broken members of your body;
your strength is our strength,
your health is our health,
and your being is our being.
Grant us your wisdom in our work,
your love in our pain
and your peace in our hearts.
Send your blessing on all those who care for the sick,
and those whom they serve,
and give us the joy of everlasting love.
In the name of Jesus your Son.
(CARA) (adapted)

Feb 6. Mon Red 5th Week in Ordinary Time

Ss Paul Miki and Companions, martyrs, Mem
2 Kg 8:1-7, 9-13.
Ps 131:6-10, R/ v 8.
Mk 6:53-56.

Paul Miki and Companions martyred at Nagasaki, Japan in 1597 . The six Franciscans, seventeen Franciscan Tertiaries, and three Jesuits died suspended on crosses.

Feb 7 Tue Green 5th Week in Ordinary Time

1 Kg 8:22-23, 27-30.
Ps 83:3-5, 10-11, R/ v 2.
Mk 7:1-13.

White St Mel, bishop, opt mem - St Mel died in 488. He is said to have been a Briton who came to Ireland with Patrick, with whom he worked until he was ordained in Ardagh. He is one of the earliest Irish saints and gave the religious veil to Brigid.

Feb 8 Wed Green 5th Week in Ordinary Time

1 Kg 10:1-10.
Ps 36:5 -6, 30-31, 39-40, R/ v 30.
Mk 7:14-23.

Ss Jerome Emiliani, and Josephine Bakhita, opt. mem. - St Jerome Emiliani, d. 1537, after a military career he founded the Clerks Regular of Sonmaschi for the care of orphans and the poor. Patron saint of orphans.

St Josephine Bakhita, 1868-1947 a native of Sudan, brought as a slave to Italy where she became a Christian and' later a nun in Venice.

Feb 9 Thurs Green 5th Week in Ordinary Time

1 Kg 11:4-13.
Ps 105:3-4, 35-37, 40, R/ v 4.
Mk 7:24-30. Lett 11:519

Feb 10 Fri White 5th Week in Ordinary Time
St Scholastica, virgin, mem

1 Kg 11:29-32, 12:19.
Ps 80:10-15, R/ vv 11, 9.
Mk 7:31-37.

St Scholastica, died 543, sister of St Benedict. She spent her life as a consecrated virgin. Patron of convulsive children.

Feb 11 Sat Green 5th Week in Ordinary Time

World Day of the Sick
I Kg 12:26-32, 13:33-34.
Ps 105:6-7, 19-22, R/ v4.
Mk 8:1 -10.

White Our Lady of Lourdes opt mem
(Readings: Is 66:10-14. Ps Jud 13:18-19, R/ 15:9 Jn 2:1-11.)
White St Gobnait, virgin, Opt mem

Our Lady of Lourdes. On this day in 1858, Our Lady first appeared to the fourteen year old Bernadette Soubirous. Later Bernadette was to learn that the mysterious lady was the Blessed Virgin and to hear from her lips, 'I am the Immaculate Conception.' In 1992 Pope John Paul 11 instituted the World Day of the Sick to be held on the commemoration of Our Lady of Lourdes.

St Gobnait is one of the best loved saints in West Cork but only traditions concerning her life survive. The main part of her life was spent in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork where there has always been a deep devotion to her, and which is a place of pilgrimage on this day and on Pentecost. Her gifts of caring for and curing the sick have been a significant part of her cult through the centuries.

The Popes intentions for January

General - Victims of Natural Disasters: That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives.

Mission - Dedication to Peace: That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all people of good will.