Greetings from Fr. Dave

February is here! Onward we go.

Last weekend we had 16 of our students participate in the annual RC Challenge (Roman Catholic Challenge). This is an event held at Valley Catholic each year with
hundreds of participants, many traveling from out of state to be here. Students compete over the ability to answer detailed questions about our Catholic faith. I can tell you, I would struggle with many of the questions! They have been practicing for months and I am immensely proud of the showing they did in the competition. You can see their pictures on the school page of the bulletin. Well done all!
 

This weekend we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord: a ritual of dedication and purification that is done 40 days after birth and that is recorded in Luke’s Gospel. Each week when we come to Mass there is an element of re-surrendering our lives to God, knowing that “We came from God; We belong to God; Our destiny is God”.
 
Ponder these words of the Sebastian Temple song we’ll be singing at the Preparation of the Gifts as a way of making that surrender:
 

Take my hands and make them as your own, and use them for your kingdom here on earth. Consecrate them to your care, anoint them for your service where you may need your Gospel to be sown.
 
Take my hands they speak now for my heart, and by their actions they will show their love. Guard them on their daily course, be their strength and guiding force to ever serve the Trinity above.
 
Take my hands, I give them to you, Lord. Prepare them for the service of your name. Open them to human need and by their love they’ll sow your seed so all may know the love and hope you gave.

 

Next Sunday, February 9 ^th,  is World Marriage Day in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. We will be doing a simple renewal of marriage vows at all Masses as is our custom. Invite your spouse to join you for Mass if she/he is not usually with you! Blessings to all our married couples.