We have a few more suggestions this month for our newsletter
name. So, we’ll list the choices below, pick one and then either drop the
name in the common fund collection this month or tell one of the counsellors
at the next meeting. The name with the most votes wins and will be used
as the future newsletter name. So if you don’t vote, don’t complain!
Also, your publisher reminds everyone that the title MUST be
able to fit onto the masthead and be readable! In case of a tie anything
goes I guess. Here are the nominees:
Fr. Paul Juniet, OFM-
Spiritual Director
Almost hidden in the middle of Lent is
the feast of St. Joseph. And because of its’ placement, we often lose sight
of Joseph’s significance in the journey of the life of Jesus and Mary.
Joseph is mentioned as protector in the beginning of the life of Jesus
and he passes out of sight.
Yet in the history of the Church, Joseph has played an important
role as a model of a good husband and father. As husband he took Mary as
his wife and committed his life to her. He set up a home at Nazareth and
walked with Mary through pregnancy and childbirth. He was her support during
the young life of Jesus. He was her comfort during the many hardships of
their life together.
As Father he deeply loved his foster child as his own. He lead
him as he grew and taught him the foundations of a good Jewish life. Jesus’
first introduction to the prayer life of his Jewish faith was through Joseph.
Joseph was the one who first took him to synagogue and he took Jesus and
Mary up to Jerusalem for the solemn feasts.
Joseph lead a good life and it is only natural that the Church
should celebrate his life by making him patron of a happy death. Years
ago when I went with my mother to the Shrine of St. Joseph in Montreal
we had Mass in the Dormition Chapel. My mother specifically prayed that
through the
intercession of St. Joseph she might have a peaceful and happy death.
She was so afraid of dying alone. Her prayers were answered as she died
in the arms of my sister.
Joseph shared his life mostly in the background. If we think
of our own families this is a lot of times the role of a father. He is
very much present and most of the time in the background. As Joseph allowed
his son to grow, not always knowing what was happening, many parents need
the faith of Joseph to let their children grow. Parents are called to be
witnesses by their lives to their children. Joseph can be a true model
for us. In the scriptures it often refers to Mary keeping the mysteries
of
Jesus in her heart. I’m sure that this was just as true of Joseph.
As we elebrate the feast of St. Joseph let us pray for all families
and especially parents. May the Lord guide parents to witness to their
children so that they may truly grow in wisdom and knowledge.
"Paz y Bien" From the Infirmarian:
SFO INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL Weekly
News
FROM: CIOFS BULLETIN, 1999, VOL 5 N.1(January)
4. May this humn to the Trinity for the Incarnation of
the Son rise with one voice from all who have been baptized and share the
same faith in the Lord Jesus. May the ecumenical character of the Jubilee
be a concrete sign of the journey which, especially in recent decades,
the faithful of the different Churches and Ecclesial Communities
have been making. It is only by listening to the Spirit that we shall be
able to show forth visibly in full communion the grace of divine adoption
which springs from Baptism: all of us children of the one Father. The challenging
call of the Apostle rings out again for us today: “There is one body and
one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your
call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who
is
above all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:4-6). To use the
words of Saint Irenaeus: after receiving the Word of God as rain falling
from heaven we cannot allow ourselves to present to the world an image
of dry earth; nor can we ever claim to be one bread if we prevent the scattered
flour from becoming one through the action of the water which has been
poured on us. (...)
(Continued next month)....
Calendar of Saints/Feast Days:
March
NOTE: March 16 begins the 13 tuesdays novena in honor of St. Anthony
in preparation for his feast day June 13.
St. Patrick: March 17
St Patrick is known throughout the world as the
Patron Saint of the Irish and of Ireland, his adopted country. He was born
about the year 390 near the west coast of Britain. When he was 15 years
of age, the rew of an Irish ship seized him at his home and carried him
off to captivity in Ireland, one of many thousands so enslaved. After some
years he escaped back to his family, but in his heart he heard the voice
of those who once enslaved him calling him “to come and walk among us again.”
Saint Patrick returned to Ireland as a bishop in 432, and until 461 he
worked to establish the Faith and the Church in Ireland. The Irish Church
provided hope during the dark ages that enveloped Europe from the fifth
century on, and through its missionaries, continue still to bring hope
to people throughout the world.
Palm Sunday: March 28
The Lord rode triumphantly into Jerusalem. The people
cheered and praised the Lord. Blessed is the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!
(Mt. 21: 1-11, Is 50:4-7)
Holy Thursday: April 1
Washed any feet lately?
*Are you aware of the feet you are already washing?
*Whose feet are you being asked to wash?
*How are our own feet being washed by those around us?
*What meals have you prepared for an elderly neighbor lately?
*Whose day have you brightened with a card or a phone call?
*Whose burden have you lightened by your “easy” disposition?
*What TV time have you sacrificed to spend time with the family?
Jesus said: “..what I did was to give you an example: as I have done,
so you must do.” (Jn: 13:13-15)
Good Friday: April 2
The Lord was arrested, declared guilty, and put to death.
We shall certainly die; but we shall rise with the Lord in Glory. (Jn
19:1-37, Jn 18: 1-19)
Holy Saturday: April 3
The Lord died for ALL. Believe and receive this free gift
of love. The Lord wants all people to be saved. Prepare for EASTER. (Mk
16: 1-8)
Easter Sunday April 4
We are once again approaching the Easter season, the glorious
time of year when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died so that we may be saved and enjoy eternal life with our Heavenly
Father. It is a time of great joy, hope and celebration for all the faithful.
This year, as we prepare our hearts to embrace Easter, we are
also preparing to celebrate the beginning of the Third Millennium and the
Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, the anniversary of Christ’s coming into
the world. As 1999 has been named “The Year of God the Father,” we have
a special opportunity to deepen our relationship with God so that we may
enter the “new springtime of Christianity” with a renewed faith, conviction
and hope.
During this final year of preparation, we are challenged to
broaden our horizons so that we see things in the perspective of Christ’s
revelation of “the Father who is in Heaven.” In this way, we can discover
God’s unconditional love for everyone, and realize that our journey to
the Father begins first in our hearts, and then extends to all people everywhere.
**************************************************************************************
IN THIS YEAR DEDICATED BY JOHN PAUL II AS THE YEAR OF GOD THE
FATHER, IT SEEMS FITTING THAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON ST. JOSEPH, JESUS’ FOSTER
FATHER. JOSEPH AND MARY WERE EARTHLY MODELS FOR JESUS AS HE GREW IN WISDOM,
AGE AND GRACE. IN 1870, POPE PIUS IX NAMED ST. JOSEPH “PATRON OF THE UNIVERSAL
CHURCH.” YOU CAN’T GET HIGHER THAN THAT.
Conventual Franciscans Award Prize to Canadian Biologist
ROME (CNS)- The Conventual Franciscans honored Elisabeth Mann Borgese, a Canadian biologist, for her work on behalf of clean and peaceful seas. Borgese, a professor at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia and founder of the International Ocean Institute, received the 1999 “Canticle of All Creatures” International St. Francis Prize for the Environment. The Franciscans, based in Rome, announced in mid-January that they had awarded the prize, including a cash award of almost $30,000, to Borgese. The professor was honored for her work in the developoment and adoption of the Law of the Sea Treaty and her efforts to promote the peaceful use of the world’s oceans and seas.
INQUIRER'S CLASSES:
None this month. Instructor: Joanne Elfers
CANDIDATE CLASSES:
None this month. Instructor: Rena
Xuereb.
ONGOING FORMATION:
March 28 at 1:30-2:30 pm at Queen of Angels. Topic: God the Father.
Bring your Bibles!
. ALL PROFESSED ARE WELCOME. Instr.: Louise Baca
|
COUNCIL MEETING:
April 10 at 1:30 pm at Queen of Angels. PROFESSED MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED
TO ATTEND.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS/ ACTIVITIES:
New Orientation
April 17 1:30pm to 2:30 pm
Orientation for new Inquirers. Please keep them in your prayers..