From the Director of Sacred Music & Liturgy - Looking to February

This coming week’s daily Masses feature two special liturgical blessings that I urge you to avail yourselves of. Firstly, on Wednesday February 2nd, we will have a blessing of candles to mark the celebration of the Presentation of the Lord (see Luke 2:22-40). If you have a prayer corner or devotional area at home, this is an excellent opportunity to have candles blessed for use in those spaces. I should mention that the feast of the Presentation is also known as Candlemas (on account of the candle blessing that happens on this day every year), as well as the feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary (in accordance with ancient Jewish law - see Leviticus 12).

Secondly, on Thursday February 3rd, we will have the blessing of throats that accompanies the liturgical commemoration of St. Blaise (+316), bishop and martyr. St. Blaise is the patron saint of those with throat ailments and, in this time of pandemic, we should certainly ask his intercession!

In other news, the choir is moving right along. They can be heard singing at the 11:30 AM Mass twice per month. New members are always welcome! No experience is necessary, just drop by our rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 6:00-7:15 PM.

Peace,
Daniel