JANUARY 22, 2012
III SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
Each of
today’s readings sounds a wake-up call and suggests a
pattern of response. The cry of the prophet Jonah shatters
the complacency of the citizens of Nineveh: “Forty days more
and Nineveh shall be destroyed.” Even before Jonah reaches
the halfway mark on his journey through the city, all the
people of Nineveh turn from their evil way. And their
repentance causes God to repent as well. The city is saved
because the people of Nineveh believed God; i.e., they
understood that time was running out and reformed their
lives accordingly. The preaching of Jesus in the Gospel for
today disrupts the daily life of four Galilean fishermen.
“Come, ”he says; and, inexplicably, they follow. The advent
of God’s kingdom creates a state of emergency. Here the
saying is literally true: “He who hesitates is lost.”
Similarly, Paul aims to disturb our peace when he declares,
“The time is running out.” This realization does not remove
us from the world, but it must reorient our lives within it
“from now on.”
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COLLECT EYEGLASSES
St. Hedwig Knights of Columbus have a collection box in the
vestibule of the Church for new, used or broken eyeglasses
in any condition. The Knights are partnered with New Eyes
for the Needy who will repair and distribute the
reconditioned eyeglasses to countries in need throughout the
world. Please help us provide glasses to those in need by
bringing in your new, used or broken eyeglasses. Thank you.
DIOCESE OF TRENTON BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL
In two weeks we will be showing the Bishop’s Annual Appeal
video for 2012 and asking each of you to make a pledge to
support the work of your local Church. Each gift makes an
enormous impact on our parish communities in Burlington,
Mercer, Monmouth, and Ocean counties. It is up to us to say
yes to our faith, and bring our lives to faith and our faith
to life.
MARCH FOR LIFE RALLY JANUARY 23,
2012
Please join Bishop O’Connell on Monday,
January 23, 2012 for the March for Life Rally in Washington,
DC. Buses sponsored by parishes and Knights of Columbus
Councils will be traveling to Washington from locations
throughout the Diocese of Trenton. For more information
contact Donna Goodwin at 609-403-7192 or
dgoodw@dioceseoftrenton.org.
DIOCESE OF
TRENTON WORLD MARRIAGE DAY LUNCHEON
The
Department of Youth, Marriage and Family Life is hosting
their annual World Marriage Day Champagne Luncheon at the
Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant. All married
couples in the Diocese of Trenton are invited to the
luncheon to be held on Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 12:00
pm to 3:00 pm. The cost of the event is $75 per couple. The
theme of this year’s celebration is “Catholic Marriage in
High-Def: Keeping it Holy, Healthy and Real,” with special
guest speakers Jennifer and Bill Maher. For more information
please contact Beatriz Cancel at 609-403-7151 or
bcance@dioceseoftrenton.org.
MASS FOR GIVING THANKS TO GOD FOR THE GIFT OF
HUMAN LIFE
On Monday, January 23, 2012, at 10:00
am, the Mass for Giving Thanks to God for the Gift of Human
Life will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the
Assumption, 151 N. Warren St., Trenton. After the Mass join
the Rally for Life on the New Jersey State House steps, a
short walk from the Cathedral, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Call 609-403-7192 for additional information.
OFFICE OF YOUTH, MARRIAGE, FAMILY LIFE
Engaged
Encounter Weekend
Engaged Encounter is a weekend
retreat experience for engaged couples to prepare for a
lifelong sacramental marriage, in a beautiful, ocean-front
setting. Spiritual reflection and couple dialog are the main
highlights of the weekend. The next available weekend will
be held on February 10-12, 2012 at Stella Maris Retreat
House, Elberon, NJ. For more information call 609-403-7158
or, go to
www.dioceseoftrenton.org/go/cee
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