MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

. THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

Feast Day: January 6 th.

The feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6 th. is one of the oldest in the Church and one of the greatest in the ecclesiastical year. Epiphany is a Greek word, which signifies a manifestation or revelation. During the first three centuries the manifestation of Christ to the chosen people, and His manifestation as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Savior of the world, was celebrated on the same day. Since the fourth century, December 25 th. has been the feast of the Nativity, or Christmas, and January 6 th. the feast of the Epiphany. The great feast of the Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the three Wiseman (magi) from the East, together with His baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee . The Gospel of the day tells us that Magi (now considered to be astrologers) came from the east to Jerusalem saying: “Where is the new born King of the Jews? We saw His star and its rising and have come to pay Him homage.” They may have come from Arabia , Chaldea or Persia . Traditions says that there were three, Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The prophecy that “a star shall rise out of Jacob,” and the teaching of the prophet Daniel at Babylon had spread throughout the East. When the mysterious star appeared, learned men recognized it as a sign that the coming of the Messiah was at hand and that He would be born in Judea . Following the star they reached Bethlehem . On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, His Mother. They prostrated themselves and did Him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

ENVELOPES FOR THE YEAR 2008

At the entrance of the church please find boxes of envelopes to be used for your weekly offering to the parish during this coming year. Please take one box and as you use them please print your name and address on each envelope so that we can keep a record of your contributions.

Please keep supporting your church especially during the winter months in order to help defray rising fuel costs. Thank you very much for your prayers and support.

CONDOLENCES

We received sad news that the mother of Father Vincenzo Rosato, Vanda Rosato, has passed away after a prolonged illness in Italy . We have not received further information concerning the funeral. We received the notice from:

Saint Paschal Baylon Church , 92 Steeles Avenue West , Thornhill , Ontario L4J1A1, Canada

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS We have delayed posting in the bulletin the Christmas Flowers Remembrance list because of the late arrivals. The complete list will appear as an insert in next week’s bulletin.

FOCUS ON A SAINT

Saint Benedict Biscop (Bennet), Abbot

Feast Day January 12 th.

Saint Benedict, Bennet as he is commonly called, was of noble birth and an officer of the court of Oswi, the religious King of Northumbers, England , in the seventh century. At the age of 25 he left the world, made a journey of devotion to Rome , And on His return applied Himself to the study of Scripture and the practice of pious exercises. After spending two years at the renowned monastery of Lerins and receiving the habit there, he accompanied Saint Theodorus, Archbishop of Canterbury and Saint Aidan to England at the request of Pope Vitalian. He returned to Rome a few more times to study the various religious disciplines and collect books and pictures of the saints. After serving under Theodorus and Aidan, he was given a grant by the King of Northumberland and built the famous monastery of Weremouth, bringing over from France stonemasons and glaziers to construct it according to the Roman models he had seen. He also built another monastery six miles away at Jarrow, and ruled both since they were regarded as one.In his zeal to make his monastery as close to the Roman models as possible , he prevailed upon Pope Agatho to let them take back to England the precentor of St. Peter's in Rome to teach to monks Gregorian chants. After suffering from a severe illness for three years, this holy and zealous worker for God died in January, 690.

Saint John School

January 7: New registration for K1 Students for 2008/2009 School Year. January 8: New registration for K2 Students for 2008/2009 School year. January 9: H.S.O. 8:00a.m. Class group pictures. Uniform must be worn. January 10: Student of the month award day.January 11: Gala Committee Meeting 8:00 A.M. Conference Room Peace Sharing.

ST FRANCIS BOOK & GIFT SHOP

Please visit our parish Book and Gift Shop during the Christmas season. The shop offers Bibles, catechisms, books, rosaries, statuettes, saints, medals and greeting cards for Christmas gifts giving. The shop also provides gifts for Baptisms, First Communion and the many occasions associated with the Catholic Faith . The shop is located on the ground floor of the old Franciscan convent and may be entered through the Peace Garden of St Leonard Church.

Gift Certificates are available .

A Christmas Message from Cardinal Seán

My dear friends in Christ,
In Luke’s Gospel the evangelist shares with us that one starry night on a hillside outside of Bethlehem choirs of angels proclaimed the Good News of the savior’s birth to shepherds tending their flocks. After proceeding in haste to find Mary, Joseph and the infant Jesus, the shepherds shared their discovery with the people of the surrounding area and went forth giving praise and glory to God. The belief of the shepherds and of the people who heard their witness set in motion a sharing of faith that has endured for over two millennia and has spread to all corners of the world. Following the example of those present for the first Christmas, we must share our faith with our families, friends and communities. The world needs us to proclaim the truth that our savior Jesus Christ was born of the Virgin Mary, the truth that God is with us. Increasingly the darkness of oppression, persecution and lack of respect for human dignity threatens us. In too many ways the truth that each and every person is created in the image and likeness of God is denied. We must work together to help each other to live the call to holiness and realize our potential as members of God’s family. We must let the light of Christ that is present in each one of us shine forth. In doing so we give the greatest and most enduring gift, the love of God. Please be assured of my prayers and remembrance during the Christmas season and throughout the year.