Is the winter cold and flu season taking its toll on you? Come back next weekend for the blessing of throats. After the closing song, form lines as we do when you receive communion and receive a blessing for your throat "and for all other illness." This is one of those times when we can celebrate a solidarity with one another which helps us endure our times of sickness. Friday is the actual feast of St. Blaise, and we will bring out the candles on that day too.
The World Day for the Sick occurs on February 11th this year. In observance of that day, we will celebrate the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick at the Saturday 4:30 pm mass and on the Sunday 10:00 am mass.
Pope John Paul II initiated the day in 1992 to encourage people to pray for those who suffer from illness and for their caregivers. The Pope himself had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s a year before, in 1991, and it is considered that his own illness was impetus for his designation of the day. February 11 is also the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. An interesting fact: Pope Benedict XVI declared his decision to resign from his post as the Pope on this day in 2013, giving his failing health as the reason behind his decision.
Next weekend we also welcome the Little Sisters of the Poor from Toledo who come every year to speak about their ministry to the poor elderly. They will be taking up a collection at the end of mass and certainly appreciate your generosity!
Thank you for your gift today to our St. Vincent de Paul conference.