Week at a glanceTuesday January 24 ~ Saint Francis de Sales
Wednesday January 25 ~ The Conversion of Saint Paul
Thursday January 26 ~ Saint Timothy & Saint Titus
Friday January 27 ~ Saint Angela Merici
Saturday January 28 ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas
Sunday January 29 ~ 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday January 30 ~
Tuesday January 31 ~ Saint John Bosco
Wednesday February 1 ~
Thursday February 2 ~ The Presentation of the Lord
Friday February 3 ~ Saint Ansgar & Saint Blase
Saturday February 4 ~
Sunday February 5 ~ 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
The monthly prayer intention of pope francisFor Educators
We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather that competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all. Daily Offering Prayer
God, our Father, I offer You my day. I offer You my prayers, thoughts, words, actions, joys, and sufferings in union with the Heart of Jesus, who continues to offer Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit, Who guided Jesus, be my guide and my strength today so that I may witness to your love. With Mary, the mother of our Lord and the Church, I pray for all Apostles of Prayer and for the prayer intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen. |
calendar of saintsFrom Living With Christ
January 24 ~ Saint Francis de Sales
A leader of the Catholic Reformation, Francis was born in France in 1567. His family insisted he study law rather than enter the seminary. After obtaining doctorates in both canon and civil law by the age of 24, Francis chose religious life instead. His family eventually became reconciled to his choice and he was ordained in 1593. Appointed bishop of Geneva in 1602, Francis reorganized the diocese, reformed religious education, established a seminary and founded schools. He lived a life of austerity and simplicity, sharing with the poor. Wise and intelligent, he emphasized both the loving kindness of God and the human capacity for love. Francis was beatified the year he died, 1622 - the first formal beatification to take place in St Peter's - and canonized in 1665. He is the patron saint of writers and journalists, and of the deaf. January 25 ~ Conversion of Saint Paul
The conversion of Paul was a turning point in the history of the early Church. Saul, as Paul was first known, was a tentmaker from Tarsus who zealously persecuted the followers of Christ. While travelling on the road to Damascus, he was struck down amidst a blinding light from heaven. According to the accounts in Acts of the Apostles (9.1-22; 22.3-16; 26.12-18), a voice asked, "Saul, Saul, why to you persecute me?" Following the instructions he was given, Saul headed into Damascus and began proclaiming Jesus. Threatened with death for his actions, Paul escaped the city by being lowered in a basket over the city wall. Paul's zeal for the risen Jesus led him to become a passionate follower and later a teacher of the nations. The letters, or epistles, of Paul offer us a window into the early Church. January 26 ~ Saint Timothy & Saint Titus
These two men were disciples of Saint Paul, and Paul's letters to them are found in the New Testament. Timothy was a close friend of Paul, working with Paul in his ministry, including serving time in prison alongside his mentor. Eventually, Timothy was consecrated as the bishop of Ephesus. He was stoned to death in 67 AD for denouncing pagan worship. Paul named Titus bishop of Crete. He is said to have delighted in the innate goodness of others, and drew people to him for his kindness. Titus is said to have died of old age. Timothy is the patron saint of stomach and intestinal disorders, while Titus is the patron saint of Crete. January 27 ~ Saint Angela Merici
Angela Merici is recognized as the founder of the Ursulines. Born in 1474 near Brescia, Italy, she and her sister were orphaned as teens. When Angela's sister Giana Maria, died suddenly, Angela became a Franciscan tertiary, praying fervently for the repose of her sister's soul. When Angela became aware of the need for education for girls, she and several friends began to teach girls in their homes in the hope of improving social conditions. Angela inspired others in the work of education. Together they formed a religious association. Most of the consecrated women continued to live with their families, with no solemn vows, habit, enclosure or community life, although they did meet for instruction and worship. Angela died in 1540. In 1544, the Company of Saint Ursula was officially recognized by Pope Paul III. She is a patron saint of those who have lost parents, who are sick, and who are physically challenged. January 28 ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas
Saint Thomas Aquinas had one of the greatest minds in the history of the Church. He was born near Aquino, Italy, about 1225. From an early age he posed questions of great theological depth; his family sent him at the age of five to be educated by the Benedictines in Monte Cassino. While his family was pious, they did not approve when 19-year-old Thomas joined the newly formed Dominicans, going so far as to imprison Thomas in the family castle. Once released, he studied in Italy and Germany, where, ironically, some of his classmates named this great thinker "the dumb ox, " a name which prompted his teacher, Albert the Great, to proclaim: "We call him the dumb ox, but in his teaching he will one day produce such a bellowing that it will be heard throughout the world." With Albert, he developed the theological Scholastic method, which dominated Catholic teaching for centuries. A prodigious writer, his most famous work is the Summa Theologica, one of the greatest examples of the theological thought ever composed. Many of his hymn texts, such as Pange lingua, Tantum ergo and Adore te devote, are still used today. A man of towering intellect, Thomas was also a humble mystic. He died in 1274, was canonized in 1323, and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1567. In 1880, he was proclaimed a patron saint of universities and schools. January 31 ~ Saint John Bosco
Known to many as Don Bosco, this patron saint of youth was born in Piedmont, Italy, in 1815. Raised in poverty, John was ordained in Turin in 1841. After witnessing the circumstances of boys living in a local prison, he resolved to devote himself to working among disadvantaged boys - children living on the street, juvenile delinquents, and any child who was suffering because of disadvantage. He formed the Salesian Society, named after Francis de Sales, and began educating boys of the poor and working classes, holding evening classes in factories, in fields or wherever there was a need. John believed in equipping boys for life in the world and trade schools soon formed a large part of Salesian training. A progressive thinker, he abhorred all punishment, believing that by removing youth from temptation, treating them with dignity and kindness, and enriching them with skills, they could be led to more productive lives. His rule was, "Not with blows, but with charity and gentleness must you draw these friends to the path of virtue." With the help of Saint Mary Mazzarello, he also established the Salesian Sisters to do similar work among girls. John Bosco died in 1888 and was canonized in 1934. February 2 ~ The Presentation of the Lord
According to Mosaic law, a new mother was considered unclean for 40 days after she had given birth. At the end of that period, she would enter the temple with her child, bringing an offering of either a lamb and a dove or pigeon, or two doves or pigeons, to be cleansed by prayers. Today's feast commemorates Mary's symbolic submission to that process, and also to the presentation of Jesus in the temple. The presentation stands as the Fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. The observance of this feast began in 4th-century Jerusalem, and was celebrated in Rome by the 5th century. It is a feast of both Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin. In the Eastern Church, it was called The Meeting of Jesus and Mary with Simeon and Anna, representatives of the Old Covenant. In the Middle Ages, a tradition began of blessing candles and holding a procession of light on this day. As a result this feast is also known as Candlemas: Christ our light has come to us. February 3 ~ Saint Blaise
Blaise is best known for the tradition of blessing throats linked to him. An Armenian bishop, Blaise suffered martyrdom during the persecution of Licinius, in the early 4th century. While little is known about him, it is said that religious oppression forced him to live as a hermit in a cave. According to legend, Blaise performed a miraculous cure on a boy who was choking to death. Blaise has long been associated with cures for afflictions of the throat, and the blessing of throats may take place on this day in memory of him. He is a patron of wool-combers and of all who suffer from afflictions of the throat. He is also a patron of wild beasts, as legend suggests he had a remarkable calming influence on animals. February 3 ~ Saint Ansgar
The patron saint of Denmark, Germany and Iceland, Ansgar was born about 801 of a noble family near Amiens. He was sent to study at the nearby monastery of Old Corbie and decided to become a monk in order to preach to the pagans. He moved to the Benedictine monastery of New Corbie, where he called on his extraordinary talent for oratory. His missions to Denmark and Sweden were highly successful, winning many converts. In 831, he was made abbot of New Corbie and first archbishop of Hamburg. After his work was undone by pagan invaders from the north, he returned and won Denmark back to the faith. Known as the Apostle of the North, he died in 865, greatly venerated for his charity and sanctity. February 5 ~ Saint Agatha
Agatha is known mainly through legend. She died during the time of the Decian persecution (249-251). It is alleged that she was sent to a brothel to force her to give up her faith. After she was tortured, the apostle Peter is said to have appeared and cured her. The following day she died in prison of new cruelties. Her intervention was credited with stilling the eruption of Mount Etna the year after her burial. In the Middle Ages, especially in southern Germany, bread, candles, fruit and letters were blessed in her name to ward off destruction by fire. She is considered a patron of miners, alpine guides and nurses. She is mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer I. |
St. Stephen Catholic Parish
4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
ststephen102@gmail.com
Facebook: St. Stephen's Catholic Parish - Olds, Alberta
4302 57 Avenue
Olds, AB
403-556-3084
ststephen102@gmail.com
Facebook: St. Stephen's Catholic Parish - Olds, Alberta
