Bulletin for January 17, 2010

     Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

       “Jesus did the first of his signs in Cana of Galilee.”

       Readings for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time  ~ Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010

 Nehemiah 8.2 – 4a, 5 – 6, 8 – 10; 1 Corinthians 12.12 – 30;   Luke 1.1 – 4, 4.14 – 21    

Have You Heard?  Our Diocese is undergoing a process to evaluate the pastoral needs in the face of fewer priests and a decline in numbers in many communities of our Diocese.  As a result, Parish Reorganization Within the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie will take place from Nov. 2009 to Dec. 2010.  Over the past 10 years, 18 parishes were closed or amalgamated.  The present process will be looking at whether 30 other parishes can continue to exist as they are.  In the Sudbury region: St. Stanislaus (Copper Cliff), St. Anthony, St. Pius X (Lively), St. Casimir, Sveti Marko, Holy Trinity, St. François (Cartier), St. Bartholomew (Levack), St. Etienne (Dowling), Our Lady of Peace (Capreol), St. Mathieu & University Parishes are being reviewed.  Will this process of review affect St. Patrick’s Parish?  Yes of course!!  Just because we are not on the list, we as ‘Catholics’ have a concern for other communities that share our faith perspective.  They are one with us and so we want what is best for them.  Each Sunday, we will pray for the review process to achieve what the Lord wants for the Catholic Church within our Diocese.  We will keep a watchful eye on the process and its effects.

2^nd Sunday in Ordinary Time  The following article, penned by our own Tony Chezzi, Head of the Liturgy Committee was published in the “Living With Christ” Sunday Missal for this Sunday:  ‘In Celtic Spirituality there is a concept known as a ‘thin place’.  This is a time, place or event in which for a very brief moment, our humanity is embraced by the mystery of the divine and we are filled with the wonder of God.  It can happen at the most unlikely time or in the very ordinary events of life.  A wedding feast can be one of these thin places.  A wedding is a time of abundance and celebration.  From the food and wine that are served, to the music and dancing that follow, weddings overflow with goodness of life.  On a deeper level, weddings speak to us about love, compassion and unity.  In this thin place, we experience the mystery of the divine.  The wedding feast of Cana is a sign of God’s love and compassion.  In a truly human event, God, through Jesus, reveals what He has in store for us.  The abundance of the wedding is a taste of what God provides for us at the eucharistic table.  God’s compassion knows no limits.  Imagine the embarrassment the bride and groom would face if the wine ran out.  Just as God provided an abundance of wine for the couple, so too will God provide an abundance for us in the wine of the new covenant.  This sign that God worked at Cana is at work in the thin places of our lives.’

Monthly Time for Private Prayer before the Sacrament of the Lord’s Body and Blood (Exposition) will take place Sunday, January 24^th from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.  It will conclude with Benediction at 2:30 p.m.  Could you find a few minutes for quiet prayer?  It’s good for you!!

Family Fun Day: The Parish Health Council is planning a Family Day on  Mon., Feb. 15^th which is the Family Day Holiday.  Skating on the Ramsey Lake  trail in the morning, indoor kid’s games as well as outdoor activities (hockey & sliding) in the church parking lot in the afternoon are on the roster.  Bring your own equipment.  A hot lunch will be provided for a nominal fee.  If you are interested, please contact Paolo Biondi at 674-4112 by Feb. 5^th.  If there is insufficient interest shown, this event will NOT take place.

Do You Have a Child in Grade 3?  Registrations for 1^st Reconciliation (to be celebrated in the Lenten Season 2010) and 1^st Communion (to be celebrated in the Easter Season of 2010) will take place at our Parent Faith Enrichment Evenings. Mark your calendars now to attend either January 20^th or 21^st from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Choose one date to attend. If you child was NOT baptized at St. Patrick’s you need to bring a photocopy (no originals) of your child’s Baptismal Certificate.

Annual Week of Prayer For Christian Unity:  Some opportunities for prayer with other Christians separated from us include:  ► Wed., Jan. 20^th ~ 9:30 a.m. at Church of the Ascension Anglican Church, 1476 Sparks St.  ►  Fri., Jan. 22^nd ~ 7:00 p.m. at Grace Family Church, 468 Antwerp St.  ►  Sun., Jan. 24^th ~  7:00 p.m. ~ Taize Prayer at St. Anne des Pins Church, 14 Beech St. ► Sun., Jan. 24^th   ~  5:30 p.m. ~  Fourth annual Christian Unity Dinner at St. Patrick’s

Our Christian Unity Event:  St. Patrick’s will host the annual Christian Unity Supper in our parish hall on Sunday, January 24^th starting at 5:30 p.m.  This yearly event is organized by representatives from St. James Anglican, St. Mark’s United, St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox and St. Patrick’s Catholic Churches.  It will be a pot luck supper and parishioners of St. Patrick’s are responsible for the main dishes.  All of the tickets reserved for our parish have been sold. 

Don’t Miss the Next Seniors’ Luncheon which will be held in our parish hall on Tues., Jan. 26^th at 12 noon.  Someone from the Sudbury and District Health Unit will make a presentation called ‘Stay on Your Feet’.  The cost for this popular event is $5 ~ a great value.  Bring a friend!!

Knights of Columbus A reminder that the next meeting is Tues., Jan. 19^th.  The Executive meets at 6:00 p.m. followed by the General Meeting at 7:30 p.m.  Don’t forget to bring your completed “Survey of Fraternal Activity”.  This is our 1^st meeting of 2010.  Let’s get a good turn out and bring the name of a new potential member.  Hector Vaillant ~ Grand Knight

Heavenly Ham Supper  St. James Church will be holding their “Heavenly Ham Supper” in our building on Sat., Jan. 23^rd 2010 at 6:15 p.m.  Tickets are $15, children under 10, $7.50.  Please call 524-1175 for information or for tickets.  Tickets are also available in the parish office.

Year for Priests Celebration:  Pope Benedict XVI has declared the period from June 2009 to June 2010 as the Year for Priests.  St. Patrick’s will be honouring priests who have worked in our parish in one capacity or another, with a “Year For Priests Celebration” Wednesday, February 3^rd.  The evening will be

hosted by our own Knights of Columbus and will begin with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5:00 p.m. presided by Bishop Noél Simard.  It will be followed by a banquet at 6:30 p.m.  Everyone will be welcome to the celebration of the Eucharist, but a ticket will be required for the banquet.  Tickets will be sold at Masses in January and at the parish office.  The cost is $25 per person.  As there is limited seating, it is suggested that you get your tickets soon to assure your spot!!

Sudbury Catholic Elementary Schools will hold a Junior Kindergarten Open House on Mon., Jan. 18^th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  For more information visit www.sudburycatholicschools.ca or email enrol@sudburycatholicschools.ca.

Parent Faith Enrichment Evenings for CONFIRMATION 2010  will be held from 7:00-9:00pm Tues. Jan. 26^th for parents of Gr. 7's & Wed. Jan. 27^th for parents of Gr. 8's & high school.  We have arbitrarily divided our candidates by grades.  If you need to attend the other date please do so.  If you have a child in each grade choose only one night to attend.  It is not necessary to phone me to let me know of your date change.  Your child must be represented by at least one adult at this evening.  If one or both parents can not attend it is appropriate to ask the sponsor, if one has been chosen, a Godparent or any significant adult relative/family member. Details of the Confirmation program, projects and the at-home resource will be reviewed at the Parent Evening.  The cost for Confirmation registration is $20.00 (cash or cheque) and will be collected at the Parent Evening. This fee helps cover the cost of the resources, photocopies & mail outs and will be posted to your offering envelope.  If you have questions please call Brenda Cavallin @ 522-3900 x 211.

Inner City Home Annual Dinner, Dance & Silent Auction  Mark your calendars for this night of fun, excellent food and dancing which will be held on Sat., Feb. 27^th at the Caruso Club.  Tickets are $30 ($15 tax deductible) and include complimentary wine with your meal.  Music by Ricky Stone.  Cocktail hour from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:45 p.m.  Tickets are available by calling 675-7550 or at the parish office.  Donations for the silent auction are gratefully accepted.

“Maximizing Ministerial Effectiveness – Collaboratively” is the name of a workshop with Irene Nizzero which is being offered by the Lay Apostolate Formation Alumni/ae.  This workshop is of special interest to Parish Councils and all who minister in the parish in any way.  It will take place at the Diocesan Centre, 30 Ste. Anne Rd. on Sat. Feb. 6^th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  RSVP Linda Labelle at 674-2727 x 241 or llabelle@diocesessm.org.

Quip for the week: A Sunday School teacher asked the little children as they were on the way to church service, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?”  One bright little girl answered, “Because people are sleeping.”

Community Events    ►  Church of the Epiphany, 85 Larch St. will hold a Book Sale Saturday and Sunday, January 23^rd & 24^th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ►”Ethical Implications in Health Care: Who Gets What?” will be the topic of a panel discussion facilitated by Dr. Paolo Biondi and will be held at the Cambrian College E-dome on Wed., Feb. 3^rd at 7 p.m.  This event is open to the public who can ask questions that will be answered by panelists. ► Daughters of Isabella will have their next meeting on Sun., Jan. 17^th at 2pm at Christ the King Parish.

Mass Intention Schedule Jan. 18 to Jan 24  Tues. 10 a.m. [┼ Hélène Laliberté];  Wed. 10 a.m.  [┼ Erminio Cozzarini];  Thurs., 10 a.m.  [ ┼ Getulio Filippini ];  Fri. 10 a.m.   [┼ Gilberte Legault];  Sat. 5:15 p.m. [ ┼ Charles R. Burgess  /┼  Juergen Kuik ];  Sun. 9:30 a.m. [┼ Oreste Rossi / ┼ John Cotnam];   Sun. 11:30 a.m. [for the parishioners of St. Patrick’s].

Offering Envelopes for 2010 Please pick up your 2010 offering envelope box located at the back of the church.  The ones issued are for those who have been using them in 2009.  Please carefully look for a box with your name on it.  Using these envelopes enables us to issue you a receipt at year end which may be used for income tax purposes.  Blank sets are also available for those who wish to start using them in 2010.  Please print your name and address on the first few OR join the growing number of parishioners using the convenient Pre-Authorized Donation Program which enables your donations to be directly withdrawn from your bank account whether you are there or not.  Forms are also available.  We thank all of you for your continued support.