Our Lady Queen of Peace
SUNDAY - February 8
8:30 am - MARGARET SMITH† (M/M John Horn)
SOULS in PURGATORY† (Jimmy Ho)
DARLENE ROGERS† (Margie Frazier)
11:00 am - PRO POPULO
MONDAY - February 9
8:00am - MERRIANNE BICE-WRIGHT†
by The OLQP Sixers
BOB VACKER† (M/M John Horn)
CODY ATCHLEY† (The Atchley Families)
TUESDAY - February 10
8:00 am - Liturgy of the Hours
WEDNESDAY - February 11
10:00am - ND Mass/church
6:15pm - FRANKLIN TOLENTINO† (M/M Jack Lavy)
JOE KAPRAUN† (M/M John Kapraun)
In Honor of The Blessed Mother (INT)
THURSDAY - February 12
8:00am - ROLAND SIGLER, Sr.†
(M/M John Kapraun)
MARIA FRANCIA-Birthday INT
(M/M Virgil Frando)
GARY FRANCIA-Birthday INT
(M/M Virgil Frando)
FRIDAY - February 13
8:00 am - HOWARD WEIMAN† (M/M John Horn)
BERNARD LAUER†
(Deacon & Mrs. Jim Bindel)
JOSE PADILLA†
(Gilberto Jaramillo & Socorro Ortiz)
SATURDAY - February 14
6:00 pm - DAVY TOLENTINO-Sp. INT
(Rosalie Tolentino)
FRANKLIN TOLENTINO†(M/M Larry Lebow)
CHUCK LINDEMAN† (M/M Joe Lindeman
ANN STEIGERWALD† (M/M Danny Lee)
SUNDAY - February 15
8:30 am - HERBERT ELLIOTT† (Leola Elliott)
GEORGE STUDDARD† (Caroline Studdard)
FR. JIM MILLER† (M/M John Horn)
11:00 am - PRO POPULO
WHEN IN DOUBT...CHECK US OUT
olqpwf.org
OLQP Catholic Church, Wichita Falls, Tx
WEEKLY CONTRIBUTIONS
February 1: .................................................... $10,866.30
Faith Direct
January 4: ..................................................... $18,465.01
January 15: ................................................... $11,602.33
www.faithdirect.net (church code: TX420)
Thank you for all the generous gifts that you provide for our
parish. Please consider using our secure electronic giving
program Faith Direct. Faith Direct will automatically process any
offertory or second collection donations of your choosing. It is
the most convenient way to make sure that the parish receives
your gift regularly. No more checks to write or envelopes to
worry about. You can sign up online at www.faithdirect.net using
our church code: TX420, or by mailing a paper enrollment form
available in the parish office.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Those for Whom We Pray
Parishioners, Family & Friends
Ernie Adams*, Jan Albin*, Doug Allison, Nicholas Allison, Vic and Angie Allison, Dennis Anderson, Melissa
Anderson, Ricky Arnold, Wanda Baltine, Elizabeth “Beth” Bater, Joan Baumann, Jo Bearden, Al Belgrado,
Dick Belgrado, Tommy & Sheryl Berend, Jeanette Bilbay, Helen Bills, Pat Blake, Anna Bogart, Cyndi Boone,
Glen Borgman, Francisco Borja, Rocky Bray, George Brosche, Ivy Cadotte, Marge Conklin, Joan Cook, Jeff
Conrady, Ruth Copeland, Grace Ann Crocker, Mike Crumpton, Joe Cuba, Thomas Daniels, Fr. Chris Davis,
Johnnie & Nellie Deal, Jenny Dixon, Faye Dominy, John & Lilian Dove, Mark Dreher, Terry Farris, Carol
Faustina, Jathan Fields, Johnnie Fields, Jerry Fletcher, James & Marian Geary, Mary George, Lola Clyde
Greaves, Courtney Shook Gysell, Mike Herrian, Jean Hoing, Dorothy Hughes, Don & Jean Isbell, Nelda
Jansen, Eve Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, Mike Jozwiak, Jonathan Kegley, Travis Keith, John Kinsella, Bonnie
Kocher, Anita Kortbawi, Marion Lauer, Marife Lee, Fred Lentz, Art Litteken, Shirley Litteken, Abel Mahesh,
Cindy Majewski, Eloise Majewski, Rusty Maley, Ryan Maley, Owen & Pat Mansfield, Marilyn Marak*, Clara
Mathe, Madelyn Matus*, Kristi Melsteade, Mike & Virginia Michonski, Vito Millazo, Carolyn Morath, Tina
Morian, Dorothy “Dot” Myers, Dr. Sam Nilasena, Fr. James O’Toole, Geneva Pennartz, Joe Petz, Joe Petz,
Jr., Nina Peysen, Michael Pitpit, Karen Poirot, Betty Pond, Mark Price, Dale Probst*, Rowdy Ramans,
Aubrey Reaves, Eddie Richardson, Cathy Roberts, Lori Ross, Jaycob Rowland*, Janna Scarebrough, Nelda
Schreiber, Charles Simons, Bette Skurkey, Jeff Smith, Linda Snyder, June Sphon*, Kathy Spyra, Patricia Ste.
Marie, Danny Steed, Audrey Stephens, Stacey Stowe, Mary Lou Sweeney, Sister Devota Sweeney, Johanna
Sweeney, Yvonne Talbot, Ida Toth, Don Thomas, Monica Vu, Dorothy Ward, Renea Ward, Josie Wheeler, Mary
Wilson, Dorothy Wolf, David Lloyd Wright, Sr., Diane Wright, Signe Yelland, Adam York, Dan York, & Lucy York.
* New this week
Because of space limitations, names will be taken of the prayer list after 3 months. Please call the church office if you
would like the name returned to the list. Thank you for your understanding.
PRAY FOR PRIESTS THIS WEEK
Listed below are the Priests of our Diocese for whom we are asked to pray for daily.
2/9 - Rev. John Stasiowski
2/10 - Rev. Robert Strittmatter
2/11 - Rev. John Swistovich
2/12 - Rev. Msgr. Francis Boakye Tawiah 2/13 - Rev. Robert Thames
2/14 - Rev. Ouseph Thekkaumthala
2/15 - Rev. George Thennattil, TOR
Eternal Father, we lift up to You these and all the priests of the world. Sanctify them. Heal and guide
them. Mold them into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest. May their lives be
pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Pray for Fort Worth Seminarians 2014-2015
In your daily prayers, please include the following seminarians on your list of people to pray for. Thank
you for your support and generosity.
2/9 - Deacon Keith Hathaway
2/10 - Kevin Hathaway
2/11 - Stephen Hauck
2/12 - William Hayes
2/13 - Austin Hoodenpyle
2/14 - Ed Hopkins
2/15 - Thomas Jones
INTENTIONS OF THE HOLY FATHER (for the Month of February)
Universal: Prisoners; That prisoners, especially the young, may be able to rebuild lives of dignity.
For Evangelization: Separated spouses; That married people who are separated may find welcome
and support in the Christian community.
SUNDAY - February 8
9:45am - R.E. Classes (grades K-6)/NDE School
Discovery (Middle School)/PH
3:00pm - First Eucharist Parent Mtg./NDE Cafe
5:30pm - Confirmation Class/PH
6:00pm - Men’s CRHP Formation/NDE Café
MONDAY - February 9
3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/church
TUESDAY - February 10
Intercessory Prayer Group after Liturgy of the Hours/
church
1:00pm - ND Liturgical Singing/church
3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/church
7:00pm - Bible Study/NDE Cafe
WEDNESDAY - February 11
9:00am - Bible Study/CR
3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/church
4:00pm - Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament
(until 6pm)/church
5:30pm - Pray the Rosary/church
7:00pm - Verso L’alto/PH
Women’s CRHP/NDE café
THURSDAY - February 12
3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/church
7:00pm - R.C.I.A./ NDE café
FRIDAY - February 13
3:00pm - Chaplet of Divine Mercy/church
SUNDAY - February 15
9:45am - R.E. Classes (grades K-6)/NDE School
Discovery (Middle School)/PH
6:00pm - Men’s CRHP Formation/NDE Café
(Rite of Election)
(SJR-St. Joseph Room; HFC-Holy Family Chapel; PH-Parish Hall; NDE Cafe-Notre Dame Elementary
Cafeteria; NDHS - NDHigh School; CR-Conference Room; WR-Workroom; BR-Brides Room; MR-Music Room)
February 8, 2015
Parish Activities
We are just a few months from completion of our Family Life Center and close to reaching our goal.
Please continue to pray for the safety and success for this wonderful project that will help to grow the
needs of our parish family. If you have not made a pledge, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a
commitment. We hope that everyone will participate in this endeavor to build a space that help to increase
the needs of our parish and community.
To increase or extend your pledge, please use the blue Pledge Increase-Extension cards located in the
Narthex. Thank you to those who have given additional above their pledged amount. If you are pledging for
the first time, please use the white Pledge cards also located in the Narthex.
PLEDGE UPDATE as of: December 28, 2014
GOAL: $3,000,000
AMOUNT PLEDGED: $2,869,321.68 (Includes $825,000 received in Grants)
AMOUNT COLLECTED: $2,487,451.84
# of Families Pledged: 469 (includes additional pledges)
All E-Giving will be done through ‘Faith Direct’ our online giving program. Online enrollment forms are
available in the Narthex. Or go directly to www.faithdirect.net to enroll. For the Capital Campaign online
enrollment, use Church Code: TX508. To afford the greatest tax benefits for our parish, Campaign gifts are
processed through the Diocese of Ft. Worth Advancement Corporation.
Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet Tuesday Feb. 17th
(Fat Tuesday) at 9:30 a.m. in the Nursery and Thursday
Feb. 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall.
•
•
•
Change of Address or Other Information
Please email: [email protected] or call the church
office if you are moving away, changing parishes or if
any of your contact information has changed. This will
help to keep our records current.
•
•
•
Year of Consecrated Life
Pope Francis proclaimed 2015 a Year of Consecrated
Life, which began on the First Sunday of Advent,
and will continue until February 2, 2016, the World
Day of Consecrated life. Let us continue to pray
for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and
Consecrated Life that more young men and women
will have the courage to follow a call from God to
serve in the Church.
St. Therese of Lisieux lived in a Carmelite
convent with her older sister Pauline. Pauline was
with Therese throughout her brief life, illness, and
death at the tender age of 24. It is no accident
that Jesus sent out his disciples in pairs. Having a
spiritual companion, as Therese did, can be of great
help and comfort on the sometimes difficult spiritual
journey. Cultivate spiritual friendships in your own
life. —-Take Five for Faith
Let us pray for religious sisters, brothers,
priests, nuns, and others
who have chosen to consecrate their lives to
God in this special way;
Let us celebrate the faith, hope, and charity
that their lives give witness to;
Let us invite others to consider this joyful form
of discipleship. Amen.
•
•
•
Men in Christ
Men of the Parish: Do you have a desire to grow as
a Christian man? Come join the MEN in CHRIST as
we pray, explore Scripture together and support
one another in our Christian walk. Meet us in the
Conference Room each Saturday (except 2nd Saturday
of the month) at 7:30am. Call Jack at 696-0741.
Divine Mercy Chaplet is prayed Monday through
Friday at 3 o’clock in the church.
Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament: Every
Wednesday from 4pm until 6pm in the church. Also
every First Friday from 8:30am until 6pm in the
church.
Pray the Rosary every Wednesday at 5:30pm.
•
•
•
A Charismatic Prayer Meeting
Sunday afternoons at 4:00
Youth Ministry chapel at Sacred Heart Church
(upstairs in the Pastoral Annex)
call Jack at 696-0741 or Manuel at 322-5958
•
•
•
OLQP Men’s Club
Next meeting: Monday - March 2, 2015
ALL Men of our Parish ages 18 and older are
members and are highly encouraged to attend
monthly meetings.
(First Monday of the month @ 7pm in the Parish
Hall). NO Membership Fees.
Call Mike Carlton, President for more info: 696-9162
Daily Readings
Monday - Gn 1:1-19 * Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday - Gn 1:20—2:4a * Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday - Gn 2:4b-9, 15-17 * Mk 7:14-23
Thursday - Gn 2:18-25 * Mk 7:24-30
Friday - Gn 3:1-8 * Mk 7:31-37
Saturday - Gn 3:9-24 * Mk 8:1-10
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Lv 13:1-2,
44-46 * 1 Cor 10:31—11:1 * Mk 1:40-45
INTERFAITH MINISTRIES
Hunger and Food Insecurity is a Serious Fact.
The Need is dire and year round. Please be
generous with your donation of food.
December Food Donations: 2,550 pounds
Current Needs: Soup (10 ¾ oz. size), Crackers,
Oatmeal, Canned Vegetables, Dried Beans (small
bags), Jelly, Peanut Butter, Pasta (dry), Rice (small
bags), Canned Spaghetti Sauce, Mac & Cheese,
Cereal.
Toiletries: Body Soap, Laundry Detergent,
Deodorant & toothpaste.
Paper Products: Toilet Tissue, Paper Towels,
Kleenex.
Eyeglasses: prescription or reading glass that
you don’t need. These items go fast. Place items in
the basket located in the Narthex. Every bit helps
families with real needs in Wichita County and
Holliday.
•
•
•
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
1516 Beverly Drive (723-4971)
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is in need of
Volunteers. If you have time and have been looking
to join a ministry, please consider becoming a
volunteer there. Come see the huge selection of
items that are available.
Like us on Facebook: Wichita Falls St. Vincent De
Paul Thrift Store.
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Parish Announcements
Kid’s Corner
Sister Ginny says….
Early in the morning
Jesus rose to pray.
Probably it was 4 o’clock,
but it’s hard to really say.
He tried to be alone then
and allow the Father to give him peace
and fill his heart with love
for everyone he’d meet.
But he wasn’t alone for very long
Because crowds came rushing near
to bring their sick for healing
and for the good news they longed to hear.
Can you imagine how he met them?
How he treated each one with love?
They knew they’d been touched and healed
with grace that comes from heaven above.
So, children, always look for Jesus
as those folks did back then
and you’ll be touched as they were
for he’ll always be your friend.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Ask how you can help!
Be a part of our outreach to the community in
our efforts to End Poverty in our Diocese.
Wednesday, Feb. 11th
12pm-1pm
(Lunch will be provided - RSVP required)
Sacred Heart Parish Hall
Come learn about our Northwest services,
expansion and programs. Bring a Friend!
Contact: Susan Cronin (940) 716-9669
•
•
•
Safe Environment Sessions for 2015
All sessions will be held in the Church office
conference room at 4040 York St. Contact
the parish office at 940-696-1253 for more
information or to sign-up.
Wednesday; April 8 @ 7pm - Initial
Saturday; April 11 @ 9am - Update
At Sacred Heart church (940-723-5288)
Thursday; March 12 @ 6:30pm - Update
Saturday; March 14 @ 9am - Initial
•
•
•
Be sure to see the back of our bulletins
when you are in need of a product or service.
Our bulletin advertisers make it possible for our
parish to have a bulletin at no cost. If you are
interested in adding your business to the spaces
available, please contact Thom Miner, 512-4523413 or email: [email protected].
Christ Renews His Parish Renewal Weekend
Women: Feb. 28 and Mar. 1
Men: Mar. 7 and 8
Christ Renews His Parish is designed to lead us
to that friendship and to afford us the opportunity
to grow in it. Through the power of the Holy Spirit
the Good News of Jesus is proclaimed and lived,
transforming individuals, communities and their
structures, liberating them from sin through word
and sacrament and by service for justice and peace,
and initiating or deepening a commitment to Jesus
and active membership in our Parish Community.
Come and Experience this awesome invitation from
your Lord!
Pick up a registration form in the Narthex,
call the church office or sign up online:
www.olqpwf.org
He’s a friend who’ll never leave you
whether you are asleep or you’re awake.
He cares for you no matter what.
He watches over every breath you take.
So trust him, allow him to love you.
You’ll be glad you did!
Rachel Ministries
Through healing from post-abortion trauma, despair
gives way to hope, isolation gives way to connectedness, and hatred of others and self gives way
to the capacity and desire for authentic, self-giving
love. - Forbidden Grief, by Theresa Burke, Ph.D.
There is hope! We can help.
Rachel Ministries • 817-923-4757
Next Retreat April 10
February 8, 2015
For more information
Call Greg Brown
696-1253
[email protected]
Registration forms and calendar available online
at www.olqpwf.org (Please note that a Form
A for 14/15 must be completed for this school
year if not yet completed through our summer
activities since June of 2014. Form A will be
kept on file until it expires in May of 2015 so that
you only have to fill it out once per year per child.
Form B must be filled out additionally for each
event youth participate in thought the year.)
•
•
•
Discovery (Middle School Ministry)
Discovery: Feb 8, Feb 15
Verso L’alto (High School Ministry)
Feb 11
•
•
•
Confirmation sessions 5:30p-7p
in the Parish Hall
*please note the change of a date from the
original scheduled, email Greg for a updated
complete schedule
Feb 8 (C) - Feb 22 (C) - March 1 (C/P)
(C)-Candidates attend, (P)-Parent(s) attend
•
•
•
Middle School Diocesan Youth Rally
(7th-8th graders)
“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God”
Saturday February 21st 10:30-8:30 (Bus will
leave at 8:15a and return around 10:45p)
Join MS youth from all across our Fort Worth
Diocese for a day filled with FAITH, games,
PRAYER, music and a talk by the incrediable
Catholic muscian and speaker Steve Angrisano
at Most Blessed Sacrament in Arlington. $35
includes lunch, dinner, a tshirt and a day you
wont soon forget! Registration and $ are
due February 10th, no exceptions. See website,
office or Narthex for paperwork.
•
•
•
New OLQP Catholic Youth t-shirts available in
the office! Suggested Donation: $15 per t-shirt
•
•
•
YOUNG ADULTS
(21-35 single and married)
Please contact Greg Brown at 940 247 1721
•
•
•
** We are in need of 5 more adults to serve
Verso L’alto as Faith Coaches (small group
leaders). For more information please see
www.olqpwf.org/how-to-help or contact Greg
•
•
•
Keep up with what’s going on at
www.olqpwf.org/youth
“The proof of love is in the works. Where love
exists, it works great things. But when it ceases
to act, it ceases to exist.”
— Saint Gregory the Great
Adult Formation
The Rite of Christian Initiation
R.C.I.A Inquirer Classes meet on Thursdays at
7pm in the NDES Cafeteria
All are Welcome (even if you are already Catholic)
to the Inquiry Sessions to learn more about the
Catholic Faith. Call Deacon Jim at 696-1253 if
you are interested.
Feb. 12 - The Sacrament of Holy Orders
Rite of Sending, Election and Call to
Continuing Conversion - Observance of
Lent
Feb. 15 - Rite of Sending - 8:30am Mass
(OLQP church)
Rite of Election & Call to Continuing
Conversion - 2:30pm (OLQP church)
Feb. 18 - Ash Wednesday
(attend 8am or 7pm Mass)
Feb. 19 - The Temptation of Jesus in the Desert
Feb. 26 - The Transfiguation
•
•
•
Divorced and Re-married?
If you are divorced and remarried outside of the
Catholic Church without a Decree of Invalidity,
or if you are married outside of the Catholic
Church, you may not partake of the Sacraments,
including the reception of Holy Communion. Until
it is shown otherwise through the ministry of the
Tribunal, no person is free to enter into another
marriage without the appearance or occasion
of serious sin. A divorce alone would not
affect, or hinder in any way, your participation
in the Catholic Church. A divorced Catholic
is free to receive the sacraments. However, if
you are divorced and have remarried, or if you
are divorced and in a new relationship, or if
you are living with someone without a Decree
of Invalidity (and your former spouse is still
living) you may not partake of the sacraments,
including the reception of Holy Communion).
Consider seeking a Decree of Invalidity which
will enable you to return to a full participation
in the sacramental life of the Church. For more
information contact Deacon Larry Bills at the
Church office at 696-1253.
•
•
•
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
This Sunday is World Marriage Day which
honors husband and wife as the foundation of
the family. Commit to making your marriage
a priority in your lives and let your marriage
relationship give glory to God. Strengthen,
renew, and rekindle your marriage sacrament
by attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter
Weekend on Apr. 10-12, 2015. Dates fill fast.
To apply, visit our website at: http://www.
dfwme.org/apply. For more information e-mail
[email protected] or call 469-444-0904. Para
mas informacion de Encuentro Matrimonial en
Espanol, escriba a [email protected] o visite
http://www.seccion15.org/
Natural Family Planning Classes
Did you know that… when used properly, Natural
Family Planning is 99% effective at postponing
pregnancy?
The Couple to Couple League is offering NFP classes
at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wichita Falls,
Texas. This is a 3-part class, and the next class
series will take place on Sundays from 1:30-4:30pm
in the Berend Room. If you would like to sign up for
this class or any other upcoming classes, please go
to www.ccli.org and fill out the online registration
form. If you have any questions, you may contact
Lauren Morath at (940)544-2515 orlmorath@
srcaccess.net.
Intercessory prayer - a double blessing
When we pray for others, we offer powerful
help for someone in need. It’s the best action we
can take for others. Intercessory prayer is also a
gift for the one who prays.
Prayers of friends can save. Remember
when a groups of friends lowered a paralyzed
man through a roof so Jesus could cure him
(Mark 2:1-12)? Jesus was clearly touched by
their devotion. His usual response when asked
for healing was, “your faith has saved you.” This
time he said, “The faith of your friends has save
you.”
Place friends’ needs before Jesus. In the
Gospel story, Jesus changed the man’s life
and amazed all who watched. Imagine the kind
of difference we can each make when we ask
Jesus to help our friends.
Prayer blesses both the one who prays
and the one prayer for. Those for whom we
pray are blessed by the positive effect of our
prayers. We are also blessed by the connections
prayers gives us to God and by seeing the results
of our prayers.
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Growing in Faith
Dear Padre!
What does the Church teach about predestination?
A friend told me not to worry about salvation because we’re predestined
to be saved or condemned. Why try to be a good person if God has already
decided where I’ll end up?
The idea that some people are predestined to be saved and others are
damned is contrary to Catholic teaching.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that “When therefore [God]
establishes his eternal plan of ‘predestination,’ he includes in it each person’s
free response to his grace [600; emphasis added].
The Catechism (1038) also cites the parable of the separation of the
sheep from the goats (Matthew 25:31-46), in which the sheep and goats
are separated not randomly, but based on their actions: “When the Son of
Man comes in his glory,…all the nations will be assembled before him. And
he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep
from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by
my Father’.…And [those on the left] will go off to eternal punishment.”
God wants to save all people. The way we respond to God’s gift of
salvation is called free will. Unfortunately, not everyone accepts that gift.
FR. PATRICK KEYES, CSsR
[email protected]
GOOD NEWS!
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Jb 7:1-4, 6-7 / 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 /Mk 1:29-39
Illness, depression, and misfortune can make us feel alone and afraid.
We wonder whether anyone can understand what we’re going through or
help us.
The first five chapters of Mark’s Gospel give us several healing stories in
which Jesus, by touch or word, restores individuals to wholeness. He casts
out demons, as we heard last week. He cures the sick, like Simon’s motherin-law. The stories confirm what our faith tells us—that God’s healing power
is for all people and that Good News lifts us and gives us joy.
But for those touched by the loneliness of infirmity of mind, body, or
spirit, the stories alone might not be enough.
Instead, the fervent prayer of the psalmist might be our grace: “The
Lord…[heals] the broken-hearted” (Psalm 147:2-3). Or, our peace might
rest in the simple knowledge of two often overlooked lines in the Gospel:
“They brought him many who were possessed by demons” (Mark 8:16) and
“The whole town was gathered at the door” (Mark 1:33).
Simply put, everyone came, and no one was alone. No matter what our
condition, we are not alone. Christ is there in our pain and suffering to give
us the grace to endure. We’re not always cured by human standards, but
Christ helps us find wholeness no matter what we suffer—and in him we
find our peace and our joy.
Isaiah told us that the name given to the Messiah was Emmanuel, which
means “God with us.”
In Christ, we see the evidence that God’s promise has come true.
Mary Katharine Deeley
[email protected]
Bulletin News: (Please note NEW deadline) Bulletin items must be submitted by NOON
on the Friday prior to the following Weekend (or the Thursday before if Friday is a holiday/
holy day). Items MUST have proper approval for publication.
FREE MASS TIMES APP - for when you’re away! The Catholic Directory iPhone App is FREE
and will quickly find the churches nearest to you, including Mass Times, Web sites, Maps, Directions,
Staff, Bulletins, and other important information. Powered by TheCatholicDirectory.com
FEAST and CELEBRATIONS
February 10: St. Scholastica (patron saint of Nuns)
Twins often share the same interests and ideas with an equal intensity. Therefore,
it is no surprise that Scholastica and her twin brother, Benedict (July 11), established
religious communities within a few miles from each other.
Scholastica and Benedict gave themselves totally to God and gave top priority
to deepening their friendship with him through prayer. They sacrificed some of the
opportunities they would have had to be together as brother and sister in order better
to fulfill their vocation to the religious life. In coming closer to Christ, however, they
found they were also closer to each other. In joining a religious community, they did
not forget or forsake their family but rather found more brothers and sisters.
“All religious are under an obligation, in accordance with the particular vocation
of each, to work zealously and diligently for the building up and growth of the whole
mystical body of Christ and for the good of the particular churches. It is their duty to
foster these objectives primarily by means of prayer, works of penance, and by the
example of their own lives” (Vatican II, Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops, 33,
Austin Flannery translation).
February 11: Our Lady of Lourdes (patron saint of Bodily Ills)
Lourdes has become a place of pilgrimage and healing, but even more of faith.
Church authorities have recognized over 60 miraculous cures, although there have
probably been many more. To people of faith this is not surprising. It is a continuation
of Jesus’ healing miracles—now performed at the intercession of his mother. Some
would say that the greater miracles are hidden. Many who visit Lourdes return home
with renewed faith and a readiness to serve God in their needy brothers and sisters.
There still may be people who doubt the apparitions of Lourdes. Perhaps the best that
can be said to them are the words that introduce the film The Song of Bernadette:
“For those who believe in God, no explanation is necessary. For those who do not
believe, no explanation is possible.”
February 14: Sts. Cyril and Methodius (patron saint of Slavic Peoples)
Holiness means reacting to human life with God’s love: human life as it is,
crisscrossed with the political and the cultural, the beautiful and the ugly, the selfish
and the saintly. For Cyril and Methodius much of their daily cross had to do with the
language of the liturgy. They are not saints because they got the liturgy into Slavonic,
but because they did so with the courage and humility of Christ.
“Even in the liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters
which do not involve the faith or the good of the whole community. Rather she respects
and fosters the spiritual adornments and gifts of the various races and peoples....
Provided that the substantial unity of the Roman rite is maintained, the revision of
liturgical books should allow for legitimate variations and adaptations to different
groups, religions, and peoples, especially in mission lands” (Vatican II, Constitution
on the Sacred Liturgy, 37, 38).
Why Catholics Fast
But emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human
likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became
obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Philippians 2:7-8
WHENEVER WE ARE invited to a banquet or to someone’s home for dinner,
we do not eat a big lunch late in the afternoon or stop for a hamburger on the
way to their house. Instead, we hold back from eating so that we have room
for and can enjoy the “feast” our host puts before us. In the same way, we fast
before receiving holy Communion as a symbolic way of preparing ourselves to
appreciate the spiritual nourishment of the Lord’s body and blood.
•
•
•
Why do Catholics follow bishops?
After his resurrection, Jesus sent his Apostles on a universal mission: “’Go
therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching
them to observe all the all I have commanded you’” (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Apostles left bishops as their successors to continue teaching the faith.
The pope and the bishops form the Magisterium, guided by the Holy Spirit,
protects Church teaching from serious mistakes and teaches us how to live
our faith.
February 8, 2015
Community News
Counseling Services
Working in partnership with Sacred Heart and Our Lady
Queen of Peace, Catholic Charities Fort Worth provides
counseling services at Sacred Heart Monday through
Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm to assist individuals and
families:
-Through the challenges of raising a child
-Resolving marital conflict
-Coping with depression, anxiety, and the stresses of
daily life
Let us help you find hope and healing.
Contact the Clinical Counseling program with Catholic
Charities at 940-716-9669 or speak to your parish office
for more details.
•
•
•
The St. Joseph Health Care Trust assists individuals
who are medically uninsured/underinsured and who
meet eligibility criterion. This includes assistance with
prescriptions, dental services, physician visits, and other
services. For more information please call Stella at (940)
552-0347. (This program is administered through Catholic
Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth.)
•
•
•
Immigration Consultations in Wichita Falls
This opportunity allows you to have an immigration
consultation with an immigration attorney or a Board of
Immigration Appeals accredited representative without
traveling outside of Wichita Falls. Our professionals will
serve you via video from our main office in Fort Worth.
You will be speaking privately and confidentially with an
authorized person qualified to evaluate your situation and
give immigration legal advice.
Location: Sacred Heart Catholic Church (1504 Tenth Street,
Wichita Falls)
Open by appointment: Thursdays and Saturdays
Schedule an appointment: 817.289.2801
Cost of the consultation: $30