In our First Reading, From the Book Of
the Prophet Nehemiah


Neh 8:2-4a,5-6,8-10


This reading deals with a time when the Babylonian exile has ended and many of the captives have returned home--only to be met with the frustrations of the reconstruction. Word filters back to those who remained in Babylon and two influential Jews return to aid the reconstruction. One is Ezra the priest. The other is Nehemiah the cup bearer of the Persian king.
Today's passage describes the reestablishment of religious worship in the restored and populated city. Notice that the word is not only read but also explained and agreed upon by the listeners' "Amen." Ezra, reading and explaining the Bible, prefigures Jesus in the synagogue of his hometown.






The Responsorial Psalm is that that we put our trust in Jesus because of his love and kindness and that he has done great things for us, so we should be filled with joy and love for him and to be like him
in your self-giving.



In the Second Reading, From the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians


1 Cor 12:-12-30 or 12:12-14, 27


Paul brings out diversity in unity. We are one and responsible for one another. Each one of us should do his or her part of the job as well as possible and so contribute to the well being of all. Apply this to your Christian life-style as you live it with your fellow Christians. You should not try to "go it alone." Such an approach never works. As is true for members in the family and for religious in community life, we need our mutual inspiration. This involves giving and taking.
Apply this also to the committees of your parish council. They can call upon a diversity of talents. In what field are you proficient? You may be particularly adept in the area of hospitality, making strangers feel at home, or in some other area that is just as important.





In the Gospel of Luke


Lk 4:18-19



Jesus entered the synagogue on the sabbath "according to his custom." Besides healing and expelling demons, Jesus took time for regular worship. Jesus found worship important. Moreover, Jesus read Scripture, sat down to explain it and applied it to a situation, to himself: Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing. These are important elements in both private and communal Scripture reading.
Explanation is important, since only through understanding "man's word" first can we understand " God's word" in it. Application is equally important. The Bible contains God's word to you and me now! Jesus has been sent to bring Glad Tidings to you and to heal our blindness of mind! Your "Amen" (or assent) to God's word to you.












Newsy Notes
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3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time !!

From Becky Ready, DRE
Deacon Bob Brazier, CRE

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Current 2nd Grade Families
Click below for a downloadable document listing
both first reconciliation and first communion preparation dates:



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MARK YOUR CALENDARS!


Current 8th grade Confirmation

The next group meeting will be Sunday March 20,
from 11:15-1:15pm in the Parish Dining Hall .


Please bring your missing confirmation, and Saint paperwork, and
your Decision Point Book to go over Chapter 11 together.


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Teach us to accept that we are loved precisely in that which is weakest in us.
Pope Francis’ prayer to St. Joseph at the conclusion of the general audience of January 19 focused on the tender love of the Father.
It also places before the saint the petition that we might avail of the Sacrament of Confession.
~
St Joseph, father in tenderness,
teach us to accept that we are loved precisely in that which is weakest in us.
Grant that we may place no obstacle 
between our poverty and the greatness of God’s love.
Stir in us the desire to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation,
that we may be forgiven and also made capable of loving tenderly
our brothers and sisters in their poverty.
Be close to those who have done wrong and are paying the price for it;
Help them to find not only justice but also tenderness so that they can start again.
And teach them that the first way to begin again
is to sincerely ask for forgiveness, to feel the Father’s caress. 
Amen.

Bless This Year
with love and light.
Bless this year
with faith and sight.
Bless this year
with grace and ease.
Bless this year
with joy and peace.

Address future PSR and Sacramental Preparation Questions to:
Deacon Bob Brazier at bbrazier@sttm.org
Meditations
“Lord, I too lack the necessary faith to see the blessings that accompany Your Cross, as well as the many crosses I am given in life. Help me to be purified in my faith so that I can see Your hand at work in all things, even suffering, injustice and persecution. May I see life from Your perspective alone. Jesus, I trust in You."