Dear Parish Family:
Welcome to the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. This week Saint Matthew’s Gospel introduces us to the Sermon on the Mount. Chapter 5 is a series of teachings by Jesus on how we are to live the Way, the Christian life. This weekend we will hear the Beatitudes which reflect attitudes of living or attitudes of the heart.
Last week, my spiritual journey was anything but ordinary. It was extraordinary to walk through the spacious halls and rooms of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. The images are memorable: the halls and walls were filled with ancient tapestries, works of Michelangelo and the great Renaissance painters, the posture and salutes of the Swiss Guard, the polished marble floors, the clerestory windows looking out over the eternal city of Rome were breathtaking – so many images that I hold as a blessing. During this weekend’s homily, I look forward to sharing with you my reflections on meeting “Peter” at the Vatican!
Every Wednesday, Pope Leo holds an audience at the Vatican and thousands of pilgrims around the world eagerly listen to his teachings. This year, Pope Leo has decided to instruct us on the teachings, meaning and values of the documents of the Second Vatican Council. Beginning today, I’m going to reprint the weekly teaching of the Holy Father in this bulletin. Take a few moments each week and prayerfully study and reflect on your Catholic journey through the documents of the Council that has helped us to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Church and the world.
This Tuesday, February 3 is the Feast of Saint Blase. We will have the traditional Blessing of Throats at the 8:00 AM Mass which is the weekly school children’s Mass.
Next weekend, all 290 parishes in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will celebrate Together in Mission Sunday. One in every five parishes needs financial assistance and one in every four Catholic Schools needs critical funds to keep their doors open. This is our annual opportunity to support the 66 parishes and 79 Catholic Schools in our local church that will benefit from Together in Mission funds. This is the only collection in the nation where all proceeds do not go to diocesan offices or administration costs but the most vulnerable among us.
Every parish is assigned a financial goal to reach based on 10% of the previous years’ offertory collection. This year, our PARISH GOAL IS $88,695.00. THE ARCHDIOCESAN GOAL IS OVER $17 MILLION. For the past several years our parish has not only reached but surpassed our goal. We can do it again this year! Our parish is always an extension of God’s generosity to those in need. During the Masses next Sunday, we will focus on the Together in Mission theme: “THIS IS THE HOUR FOR LOVE”. Everyone will have the opportunity to complete the pledge card. You don’t have to pay anything right now as you can make a pledge with monthly installments. If you already completed and mailed in the pledge card – Thank you! You can also bring the pledge card with you next weekend and we’ll complete it during the homily time. Please make sure you credit your gift to St. Joseph in Long Beach. There are six St. Joseph Parishes in the Archdiocese and we want to make sure that your gift is credited to help us reach our goal. Thank you for prayerfully considering your gift in this annual Mission to support needy families and children in our Catholic parishes and schools.
May the prayer of Saint Blase offered this week bring you health and healing: “Through the intercession of Saint Blase, Bishop and Martyr, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the +Holy Spirit”. AMEN!!
I’m praying for you and your families!
Gratefully in Christ,
Msgr. Kevin