PARISH BULLETIN * January 07, 2018 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)

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Rocky Mountain House - St. Matthew

January 07, 2018 – THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

ST. MATTHEW PARISH AND MISSIONS Rocky Mountain House - St. Matthew Church

Caroline - St. Joseph the Workman Church Evergreen - Jesuit Martyrs Church

Evergreen - Jesuit Martyrs

Caroline - St. Joseph Bulletin QR Code

INTRODUCTION TO THE LITURGY OF THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD Seek Jesus diligently in your daily life. The Magi in the Gospel sought the newborn King diligently, willing to travel from the East

to find him. We can find Jesus in our daily lives so much more easily, just by being open to the many ways he is present to us. How diligent are we at finding Jesus in our own life? The first reading recounts the splendor of Jerusalem as it draws other nations to the glory of God. In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Saint Paul proclaims the Good News that the Gentiles are co-heirs of salvation with the people of Israel. The Gospel recounts the journey of the Magi to Bethlehem, where they worshipped the baby Jesus.

What gifts do we have to offer to the Christ Child? There is

a story about a parish children’s Christmas pageant from

a few years ago. Everyone was selected for the variety of

roles and the costumes were all prepared. There was lots

of practice, but as is often the case when young children

take the lead, one never knows exactly what to expect.

Such was the case that day as the Magi proceeded down

the church’s main aisle, headed toward the manger and

the Christ Child. Upon arriving, the leader of three turned

to the congregation, and proclaimed in a loud voice, “We

are the Magi, and behold, we come bearing gifts of gold,

common sense and fur!” The Magi brought to Christ the

gifts they could bring: gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Celebration of the Epiphany should encourage each of us

to reflect on the gifts we can bring to Christ, so that he

may put them to use in building his kingdom here on earth.

The gifts don’t have to be wildly expensive, but they must

come from the heart of who we are, and must be rooted in

the unique way that each of us has been fashioned by God. Consider Dorothy, who at eighty-four, was a widow who had grown tired of only talking about the world’s problems. She wondered what she could do to make a difference. She had heard about the plight of her community’s homeless, and decided that what she could do is to make them sandwiches. And so she did, taking the sandwiches to the local park where she knew a number of the homeless gathered daily. Engaging them in conversation, she discovered that many of the homeless wanted to work, but didn’t have a way to make or receive phone calls or to receive mail regularly. Some of them shared that even if they were fortunate enough to arrange a job interview, they didn’t have good clothes to wear or a place to shower. She took their concerns to her friends, and in a short while, with all of them working together, they were able to secure safe shelter, have a general telephone, a general mailbox, a clothes closet that made available gently used clothing for free, and a place that would eventually be able to serve three simple meals each day. Dorothy is now ninety-four, and still going strong. The place she and her friends helped to create now assists hundreds of people annually.

What is the most valuable gift that each of us has to offer? A sense of humor? An ability to pray with others? Kindness, gentleness and

patience? An ability to fix cars or computers? Musical talent? The ability to make others feel welcome? People such as Dorothy help us

to know that each of us has a gift that can be offered to Christ. In making that concrete choice, we can help to make God’s presence

known, and so the Epiphany continues. In a few short moments, we will present our gifts of bread and wine, as well as our monetary

gifts. As we do so, Christ will lovingly accept them and then return them to us, transformed into his body and blood. This is all the

nourishment we need to continue to love and serve the Lord.

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD MONDAY - JANUARY 08, 2018

Through his baptism by John in the Jordan, Jesus expresses his solidarity with all of humanity in their longing for the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. Through our baptism, we are called to assist Christ in the work of redemption. Today, the last day of the Christmas season, we affirm our faith in the coming of God’s kingdom, offered to us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Let us be renewed in our common baptismal vocation to share the Gospel with others.

PARISH BULLETIN * January 07, 2018 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)

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LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

Date and Time Greeter(s) - Gifts Bearers Proclaimer 1 Proclaimer 2 EMHC - Hosts EMHC – Chalice 1 EMHC – Chalice 2

Jan. 06, 2018 at 07.00 PM Karen & Kent Carmichael Dominic Couve Orville Kittelson Ernie Murias Karen Carmichael Bonnie Leaf

Jan. 07, 2018 at 09.00 AM Riki Krabben Kyle Drever Rhonda Caluttung Catherine Bolton Sarah Cubby Joanne Como

Jan. 13, 2018 at 07.00 PM Pat Gerry Dorraine Lonsdale Nathalie Manuel Leo Pelletier Faye Boyle Doreen Couture

Jan. 14, 2018 at 09.00 AM Scott & Linda Collinson Marliss Cartier Luke Cartier Rebecca Marland Pat Hughes Lorie Hughes

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT - ST. MATTHEW CHURCH

Friday – Jan. 12, 2017 09.30 AM – 01.00 PM (Private Adoration) Mass at 09.00 AM

RCIA CLASS

Tuesday – January 09, 2018 07.00 PM – 09.00 PM

LITTLE FLOWERS CATHOLIC GIRLS’ CLUB Next meeting – Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018

Little Flowers Catholic Girls' Club is a fun-filled faith formation group for girls ages 4 and up. We meet the second Saturday of the month from 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM, September through June. Each month girls work on developing a specific virtue and learn about a female saint. This year we will also be memorizing hymns and passages of Scripture, doing art projects, and completing handicrafts. To register or volunteer, please contact Rhonda Caluttung at 403-846-0404. Next meeting is on Saturday, January 13, 2018.

FIRST COMMUNION PROGRAM Sunday – January 14, 2018 04.00 PM - 05.45 PM

St. Matthew Church - Rocky Mountain House The presence of all candidates is very important and expected.

MEETING WITH JASON NIXON, MLA January 17, 2018 - 07.00 PM

Jason Nixon, MLA will come to our parish for a meeting on January 17, 2018 at 7.00 PM. Please come to hear him speak about the current state of Alberta politics, especially regarding recent changes to educational policies. Hopefully he will give us suggestions on how to make our voices heard. Bring your questions and ideas for him! Open to anyone who is interested (Catholic or not).

NEXT BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 07.00 PM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew

Please, register before January 17, 2018. * Email to office@smprmh.ca or call at 403-845-3457, if you plan to attend.

February 17 - 19, 2018 FAMILIES OF NAZARETH - WINTER RETREAT

Families of Nazareth Winter Retreat will be held at Goldeye Centre (near Nordegg) on Family Day Weekend, February 17-19, 2018. Retreat facilitated by Fr. Andrew Bogdanowicz, includes conferences, daily Mass, children's program, and opportunities for Reconciliation, spiritual direction and free time to share with others and enjoy outdoor activities. All families, couples and singles are welcome. Registration deadline is January 13, 2018. For more information contact Karen Boston at karenwmb@hotmail.com or call 403-846-7867.

VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU… from Fr. Kler

I want to take this opportunity and thank everyone for your prayers, Christmas cards, gifts, donations of

cash and food. May God bless you for your generosity and your support! I really appreciate your goodness

and kindness to me at Christmas and always. MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU!

THANK YOU VERY MUCH…

Thank you to all who helped in any way in preparation and celebration of Christ’s birth in all our churches (Rocky Mountain House, Evergreen and Caroline): people who removed snow, people who cleaned and decorated our churches, sacristans, organists and all people involved in choirs and music ministries, liturgy schedulers, readers, gifts bearers, Eucharistic Ministers, adult servers and altar servers. May God bless you!

PARISH BULLETIN * January 07, 2018 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)

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WHAT IS LITURGICAL YEAR?

Quite simply, liturgical year is the celebration of a series of religious feasts and seasons. In so doing, we make sacred the ordinary time of a twelve-month calendar. Actually, we inherited this notion from our Jewish ancestors of the Old Testament. In the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 23, we find the Jewish calendar which speaks of a week of seven days, with six for work and the seventh day, the Sabbath, for rest and for “sacred assembly.” This Sabbath Day belongs to the Lord. Leviticus then continues to speak of the dates of Passover, Yom Kippur, and other special feast days. For Roman Catholics, we too have a liturgical calendar, which has evolved during the history of the Church. The purpose of such a calendar was to trace the mystery of salvation and the course of salvation history. Again, the idea is to sanctify time. Pope Pius XII wrote, “By commemorating the mysteries of the Savior, the sacred liturgy strives to bring all believers to participate in them in such a way that the divine Head of the Mystical Body may live in each of His members with the fullness of His holiness” (Mediator Dei, #152).

We see the beginnings of the calendar in the early Church. The Christians changed the Lord’s day to Sunday, in honor of the resurrection. In Acts, we read, “On the first day of the week when we gathered for the breaking of the bread…” (20:7). Fridays were designated as days of penance and sacrifice, in honor of our Lord’s sacrifice of Himself for our sins on Good Friday; to this day, Friday should be a day of penance when we abstain from meat or make some other sacrifice. In the early Church, the Didache (AD 80) also marked Wednesdays as a day of penance and prayer, which is perhaps why many parishes still have novenas or Holy Hours on Wednesday evenings. By the 10th century, especially in the western Church, our Blessed Mother was honored on Saturdays. Over the centuries, the Church has punctuated the course of the year with feast days or holy days. In the midst of our normal routine, these days help focus our attention on Christ and the mystery of salvation. Several feast days are dedicated to our Blessed Mother, the exemplar of our faith, who participated intimately in the mystery of salvation, such as the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (January 1), the Annunciation (March 25), the Visitation (May 31), the Assumption (August 15), the Nativity of Mary (September 8), the Presentation of Mary (September 22) and the Immaculate Conception (December 8).

Many feast days commemorate the saints who glorified Christ in their lives on earth and now share His glory in the Kingdom of Heaven. Their feast days usually correspond to the date of death, the birth of the saint into eternal life. Many of the dates were established over time and sometimes varied according to locale. However, in 1568, Pope Pius V promulgated the universal calendar setting the feast days and their dates which would be celebrated throughout the whole Church. To date, various Popes have increased or decreased the number of feast days of saints honored by the whole church. The purpose is clear: “For the feasts of the saints proclaim the wonderful works of Christ in His servants and offer to the faithful fitting examples for their imitation” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #111).

Finally, the calendar follows a series of seasons: The calendar begins with Advent, which focuses on the preparation for the birth of the Messiah. Christmas Season follows, beginning with the birth of our Lord, celebrates the Epiphany, and concludes with the Baptism of the Lord. The Feast of Baptism of the Lord also commences the season of Ordinary Time, which traces the public ministry of Jesus. Lent interrupts Ordinary Time, and lasts for 40 days (not including Sundays) and prepares us for Easter. Easter Season begins with the Easter Vigil Mass, is followed by the 40 days leading to the Ascension and then concludes 10 days later with Pentecost. After Pentecost, Ordinary time resumes and concludes with the Solemnity of Christ the King, the last Sunday of the liturgical year.

PARISH BULLETIN * January 07, 2018 – The Epiphany of the Lord (Year B)

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PASTOR - FR. LEON KLER

Deacon (Ret.) – Bernie Ouellette

Secretary – Vivian Duhamel

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

5208-53 Ave (Box 130) Rocky Mountain House, AB * T4T 1A1

Office Hours

Monday 01.00 PM - 06.00 PM

Tuesday 09.00 AM - 12.00 PM and 01.00 PM - 06.00 PM

Wednesday Office Closed

Thursday Office Closed

Friday 10.00 AM - 06.00 PM

Contact Information Direct phone line to office Voice 403.845.3457 Direct phone line to Fr. Leon Voice/Fax/Text 587.355.3947 Fax line to office 403.845.7177 Email address to office office@smprmh.ca Email address to Fr. Leon pastor@smprmh.ca

PARISH MINISTRIES

Parish Pastoral Council Lauren MacKenzie 403.845.2836 Ministry to the Sick Ernie Murias 403.845.4860 Called to Protect Ernie Murias 403.845.4860 RCIA

Kristin McKenzie Steve Oscar Vivian Duhamel

403.845.0017 403.895.0373 403.845.9387

Children’s Liturgy Mona Cruickshank 403.845.2454 Youth Group Peter van Kampen 403.848.0955 Prayer Line Alice Murray 403.722.4056 Knights of Columbus Gary Donald 403.845.5269 CWL Karen Carmichael 403.846.2168 Bible Study Roxane Melvin 403.845.3127

SUNDAY MASSES

Saturday 07.00 PM Rocky Mountain House Sunday 09.00 AM Rocky Mountain House Sunday 11.00 AM Evergreen Sunday 01.00 PM Caroline

WEEKDAY MASSES

Monday No Mass Tuesday 06.30 PM - St. Matthew Church, RMH Wednesday 09.00 AM - St. Matthew Church, RMH Thursday

10.00 AM - Jesuit Martyrs, Evergreen 06.30 PM - St. Matthew Church, RMH

Friday 09.00 AM - St. Matthew Church, RMH

MONTHLY MASSES

First Wednesday 08.00 AM - St. Matthew School, RMH First Wednesday 11.00 AM - Eckville Manor, Eckville First Friday 10.30 AM - Clearwater Centre, RMH Second Wednesday 08.00 AM - St. Dominic School, RMH Second Wednesday 11.00 AM - Westview Lodge, RMH

REQUESTS FOR USE OF CHURCH FACILITIES MUST BE

APPROVED BY PASTOR AND BOOKED THROUGH OFFICE.

BAPTISM OF CHILDREN

Contact office if you want your child to be baptized in our parish. Preparation Class is mandatory. For more info, call office.

CONFESSIONS

Rocky Mountain House - Every Saturday from 6.15 PM to 6.45 PM Evergreen/Caroline - after Sun. Masses Anytime by appointment

MARRIAGE

Contact office if you want to celebrate Sacrament of Marriage in our parish. Preparation is mandatory. For more info, call office.

ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Every Friday in St. Matthew Church - Rocky Mountain House 9.00 AM MASS 9.30 AM - 1.00 PM ADORATION

Every First Tuesday of the month in St. Matthew Church - RMH 6.30 PM MASS 7.00 PM - 8.00 PM HOLY HOUR ADORATION

PARISH WEBSITE WWW.SMPRMH.CA

Saturday January 06, 2018 – Epiphany of the Lord 07.00 PM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: + Gus Boersma Sunday January 07, 2018 – Epiphany of the Lord 09.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: + Blair Stankowski 11.00 AM Evergreen – Jesuit Martyrs Church Intention: Blessings and grace for Dianna Kure 01.00 PM Caroline – St. Joseph the Workman Church Intention: For all members of our parish communities

Monday January 08, 2018 – Baptism of the Lord No Mass

Tuesday January 09, 2018 – Weekday in Ordinary Time 06.30 PM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: No intention requested Wednesday January 10, 2018 – Weekday in Ordinary Time 08.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – St. Dominic School Chapel Intention: No intention requested 09.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: No intention requested 11.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – Westview Lodge Intention No intention requested Thursday January 11, 2018 – Weekday in Ordinary Time 10.00 AM Evergreen – Jesuit Martyrs Church Intention: Blessings and grace for Laura Keller 06.30 PM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: No intention requested Friday January 12, 2018 – St. Marguerite Bourgeoys; virgin 09.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: No intention requested

09.30 AM – 01.00 PM ADORATION St. Matthew Church, RMH

Saturday January 13, 2018 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 07.00 PM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: No intention requested Sunday January 14, 2018 – 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time 09.00 AM Rocky Mountain House – St. Matthew Church Intention: For all members of our parish communities 11.00 AM Evergreen – Jesuit Martyrs Church Intention: Blessings and grace for John Andersen and Elizabeth Andersen 01.00 PM Caroline – St. Joseph the Workman Church Intention: No intention requested

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT!

Dec. 31, 2017 REGULAR SUNDAY COLLECTION RMH - $1,756.05 * Evergreen - $539.00 * Caroline - $90.00 Dec. 31, 2017 CHILDREN’S COLLECTION (Friends of Jesus) RMH - $11.85 * Evergreen - $1.30 * Caroline - $4.00

Jan. 01, 2018 REGULAR SUNDAY COLLECTION RMH - $1,479.00 * Evergreen - $553.00 * Caroline - $160.00 Jan. 01, 2018 CHILDREN’S COLLECTION (Friends of Jesus) RMH - $00.00 * Evergreen - $00.00 * Caroline - $00.00 Jan. 01, 2018 TOGETHER WE SERVE COLLECTION: Evergreen - $50.00 Jan. 01, 2018 MAINTENANCE FUND COLLECTION: RMH - $50.00