February 11th, 2007 - - - Sextegesima Sunday

Father Richard J. Rego, Chaplain
Fr. Isaac Fynn and Fr. David Reinders, Weekend Clergy

“Put on then, as God’s holy and beloved people, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience. Forgive one another; and if one has a complaint against another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also forgive. And above all these things put on charity, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And always be thankful - - - And whatever you do in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3: 12-15,17).

Sancta Gianna! Ora Pro Nobis!

February 11th, 2007 - - - Sextegesima Sunday

Saints of the Week
Mon, Feb 12 - - - -Seven Founders of the Servites
Tues, Feb 13 - - - Feria
Wed, Feb 14 - - - Feria or Saint Valentine, Priest & Martyr
Thurs, Feb 15 - - Feria or Saints Fautinus & Jovita, Martyrs
Fri, Fed 16 - - - - Feria
Sat, Feb 17 - - - - Saturday of Our Lady

Special Saint of the Week

Saint Valentine is our Special Saint of the Week. This holy Roman Priest assisted with many other pious Christians a great number of Martyrs. He was beheaded under Aurelian in 270.

Gospel Words of Jesus Christ Our Divine Savior

31 And his mother and his brethren came; and standing without, sent unto him, calling him. 32 And the multitude sat about him; and they say to him: Behold thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. 33 And answering them, he said: Who is my mother and my brethren? 34 And looking round about on them who sat about him, he saith: Behold my mother and my brethren. 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, he is my brother, and my sister, and mother. (Mark 3: 31-35)

From the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans

1 What shall we say, then? shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. For we that are dead to sin, how shall we live any longer therein? 3 Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death? 4 For we are buried together with him by baptism into death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. (Rom 6: 1-5)

Spiritual Thought Of The Week

Taken from the Introduction to the Devout Life, by Saint Francis De Sales, written in the year 1609, Part One, CHAPTER VI. “Not infrequently the ordinary confessions of persons leading an everyday life are full of great faults, and that because they make little or no preparation, and have not the needful contrition. Owing to this deficiency such people go to confession with a tacit intention of returning to their old sins, inasmuch as they will not avoid the occasions of sin, or take the necessary measures for amendment of life, and in all such cases a general confession is required to steady and fix the soul. But, furthermore, a general confession forces us to a clearer self knowledge, kindles a wholesome shame for our past life, and rouses gratitude for God’s Mercy, Which has so long waited patiently for us. Moreover, it comforts the heart, refreshes the spirit, excites good resolutions, affords opportunity to our spiritual Father for giving the most suitable advice, and opens our hearts so as to make future confessions more effectual. Therefore I cannot enter into the subject of a general change of life and entire turning to God, by means of a devout life, without urging upon you to begin with a general confession.”

From The Imitation Of Christ

By Thomas A Kempis Book Three The Twenty-Fifth Chapter: THE VOICE OF CHRIST “Watch yourself in all things, in what you do and what you say. Direct your every intention toward pleasing Me alone, and desire nothing outside of Me. Do not be rash in judging the deeds and words of others, and do not entangle yourself in affairs that are not your own. Thus, it will come about that you will be disturbed little and seldom. Yet, never to experience any disturbance or to suffer any hurt in heart or body does not belong to this present life, but rather to the state of eternal rest. Do not think, therefore, that you have found true peace if you feel no depression, or that all is well because you suffer no opposition. Do not think that all is perfect if everything happens just as you wish. And do not imagine yourself great or consider yourself especially beloved if you are filled with great devotion and sweetness. For the true lover of virtue is not known by these things, nor do the progress and perfection of a man consist in them.”

From The Teachings Of The Second Vatican Council

Dei Verbum (On the Word of God): #10 “Sacred tradition and Sacred Scripture form one sacred deposit of the word of God, committed to the Church. Holding fast to this deposit the entire holy people united with their shepherds remain always steadfast in the teaching of the Apostles, in the common life, in the breaking of the bread and in prayers (see Acts 2, 42, Greek text), so that holding to, practicing and professing the heritage of the faith, it becomes on the part of the bishops and faithful a single common effort. “

From The Code Of Canon Law

Canon 246 §1. The Eucharistic celebration is to be the center of the entire life of a seminary in such a way that, sharing in the very love of Christ, the students daily draw strength of spirit for apostolic work and for their spiritual life especially from this richest of sources. §2. They are to be formed in the celebration of the liturgy of the hours by which the ministers of God pray to God in the name of the Church for all the people entrusted to them, and indeed, for the whole world. §3. The veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including the Marian rosary, mental prayer, and other exercises of piety are to be fostered; through these, students are to acquire a spirit of prayer and gain strength in their vocation. §4. Students are to become accustomed to approach the sacrament of penance frequently; it is also recommended that each have a director of his spiritual life whom he has freely chosen and to whom he can confidently open his conscience. §5. Each year students are to make a spiritual retreat.
The Catechism Of The Catholic Church

#2323 Because it should be treated as a person from conception, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.
Lost and Found If anyone should lose something while attending Mass, please call Saint Gianna’s office at 205-4096.

SPECIAL NOTICE

Please be advised that donations to Saint Gianna’s can be made through our website: www.saintgianna.net. By so doing, one can contribute using their credit card. We appreciate your financial support and also ask your prayers for our continued success. Also, please note that we are now set up with PaPal so that our parishioners and friends can automatically contribute a designated amount each month toward your support of Saint Gianna’s. Check our website for details: www.saintgianna.net.

MASS INTENTIONS Saint Gianna’s has openings for Mass intentions beginning in April 2007.

WORKSHOP
Our workshop with Father Karl Lenhardt will be on Monday evening, February 12th at 6:30 in Ambrosian Hall. You are cordially invited to attend and to raise whatever question you wish to ask.

Pope Benedict XVI Prayer Intention For February

General - - - - That the earth’s bounty God gave to all people be used wisely and according to the principles of justice and solidarity.

Mission - - - - That the struggle against diseases and the great epidemics in the Third World find in a spirit of solidarity the ever greater generous cooperation of governments.

OUR LADY OF LOURDES

    Because February 11th falls on a Sunday this year, the Sunday Liturgy takes precedence. Nevertheless, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes should fill us with the pious reflections on her apparition to Saint Bernadette.

    Without doubt, Lourdes is the most enchanting of all of the Marion shrines. As in all of Our Lady’s appearances the predominant message is clear. Penance! Turn away from sin and turn to the Lord! This message is one that infuriates the evil one.

    There is a fascinating aside to the story of Lourdes, which is worth noting. On the day that Our Lady identified herself as The Immaculate Conception, all who were present heard frightening shrieks coming from a nearby cave. The screams seemed to come from the very depths of hell. Indeed, they did for they came from Satan! Bernadette tells us that Our Lady merely glanced in that direction. Immediately, the diabolical howling ceased. Our Lady's power over Satan is total!

    Because of Adam's sin, every human person is conceived with original sin. For this reason, the Church teaches dogmatically that baptism is necessary for salvation. Mary, however, from the first instant of her conception, was preserved free from original sin. Never, not even for a moment did she come under the dominion of Satan. Our Lady never offended God by sin. Saint Thomas Aquinas writes: "We must confess that the Blessed Virgin never committed an actual sin, neither mortal nor venial." Truly, the Virgin Mother is the Sinless One.

    In Genesis we read that she will crush the serpent's head. Catholic art often portrays Our Blessed Mother with the serpent held firmly under her feet. Immaculately conceived, she never came under the dominion of Satan, not even for an instant! For this reason, Satan’s hates Our Lady with a frenzied fury.

    Make no mistake! Satan hates us as well. He hates us because he hates God and God created us in His image and likeness. The devil hates us because the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity became Man in Jesus Christ. He hates us because Mary never came under his dominion. The devil's sole goal is to lead as many souls as possible to hell for all eternity.

    Satan seeks to deceive man into thinking that there is no sin. "Don't worry,” the tempter tells modern man. "God loves you no matter what you do. Besides, you can't help yourself. You are entitled to your choices. God doesn't punish people. There is no sin. There are only psychological disorders. There is no hell! The Church is not in touch with the times." This is the temptation. Let us not be taken in by this diabolically evil lie, one that serves well the Father of Lies.

    The Church constantly reminds us of Our Lady's sinless life. It urges us to imitate her and to seek safety in her arms. Satan is loose "seeking the destruction of souls." In our struggle with Satan, let us seek Our Blessed Mother’s protection. Run to Our Blessed Mother for she always leads us to her divine Son, Jesus Christ.


                Father Richard J. Rego, S.T.L.