SAINT FRANCIS XAVIER PARISH

Fr. Peter Proulx, Pastor Fr. Ryan Holly, Associate Pastor Deacon Don Smith 331 Plaunt Street, South; P.O. Box 396 Renfrew, Ontario K7V 4A6 Tel: (613) 432-5825 Fax: (613) 432-6663
Web Site: http://sfxrenfrew.wordpress.com/ E mail: sfx.parish@on.aibn.com

St. Francis Xavier, a welcoming faith community lovingly sharing the gifts of God.

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SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

J A N U A RY 2 9 T H , 2 0 1 2

PRAYERS FOR THE DECEASED: We pray for our loved ones who have died recently, especially Peter Petrovic. PRAYERS FOR THE SICK AND SHUT-IN: Let us raise up in prayer those who seek Gods healing love, those at the hospital, hospice and at home especially Ed Boose and Joan Prince. May your struggle be consoled by Christs love.

THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD (FEBRUARY 2ND) oday is 40 days after Christmas. In many places the nativity scene is left up until today. On this day it is decorated with the first flowers of spring before it is taken down and put away.

Today we celebrate a joyful event in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. When Jesus was 40 days brought old, Mary and Joseph bro ught him to the Temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. In the Temple elderly Jesus was recognized by Anna and Simeon, two elde rly people of great holiness. They were filled with joy. Simeon took Jesus in his arms. Old age embraced youth. Simeon spoke a beautiful prayer: Now that he saw the Messiah, he could die in peace. Simeon also spoke of the sadness to come, which would pierce the heart of Mary. Simeon called Jesus a light to the nations. The light of Jesus presence in the world has been celebrated cele brated on this day for many centuries. is On todays feast, enough candles are blessed to last the whole year. Thats why today i s also called Candlemas. It is a feast of light. At church everyone joins in singing Simeons song. In some parishes, the people light the candles and carry them all around the church and even out into the street. We can Christ carry the light of Chri st to every corner of the world.

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ST BLASE, bishop, martyr (FEBRUARY 3RD)

lase was the bishop of Sebaste in Armenia. He was martyred during the persecution of Christians by the Roman emperor Lucinius.

Blase is said to have been a physician as well as a bishop. A legend tells that Blase saved the life of a boy who was choking on a fish bone. Blase is now the patron saint of all who have diseases of the throat. On his feast day in many parishes, people have their throats blessed. Its no surprise that this custom coincides with the peak of the sore throat and flu season. Years ago, wintertime illnesses were very dangerous. Before the discovery of penicillin, a person could die from complications of a sore throat. The tradition of blessing throats began at a time when the churchs calendar was filled with blessings for the saints days. Many of these are no longer practiced, but somehow, the custom of blessing throats survived. We can think of the blessing or our throats as a sign of Gods care for every part of us.

COUNTDOWN TO LENT

ASH WEDNESDAY is coming! Lent begins on February 22 nd. February schedules Lent is a time of repentance, change of heart and are ready for pick prayer. Can Lent set you free? It is not uncommon up in the sacristy. to think that, looking back if only I had known I 2011 INCOME would have acted differently. TAX RECEIPTS: To take time to pause, reflect, and prepare for what To obtain a receipt, life will bring can be so rewarding. Less and less simply put a stamped, selfwill we look back with regret as we more and more joy addressed envelope in knowing the presence of God. in the collection Lent, our time of prayer, fasting and almsgiving can basket and it will set us free! Free to be with God and others in true be mailed to you. inner peace. Let us journey towards Lent with great You may pick up your receipt at expecation of what God has in store for us this year. the office during
office hours.

WEEKDAY LECTORS:

LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS
MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT SUN Jan. 30 7:00 p.m. Pat Preen Ruth Elliott Jan. 31 9:30 a.m. Terrance Welsh Dan & Aileen Power Feb. 1 4:15 p.m. Joseph Valliquette Theresa Pierunek Feb. 2 10:30 a.m. BONNECHERE MANOR: Edna Bowes Pat & Marian Lane 12:10 p.m. Joe Shubaly Angela McAdam & Family SUNDAY Feb. 3 8:00 a.m. Zabrina Rekowski Blair & Shirley McCanna OFFERING: 12 Noon HOLY HOUR January 22nd: Feb. 4 5:00 p.m. Dan Scully Nora & Family $4,100.02 Feb. 5 10:30 a.m. Norman Kasaboski Wife, Catherine Intentions of the Parishioners Father Holly

LITURGICAL ROLES
5 SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
SATURDAY EVENING MASS - 5:00 p.m. MINISTERS OF THE WORD P. Dowdall; J. Dowdall MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY D. Ballard; E. Boose; T. Brazeau; B. Kusluski MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST L. Armstrong; K. Coulas; B. Brown; G. Curry; S. Harper SERVERS K. & C. & K. Dowdall; L. Zohr CANTOR T.B.A.
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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5th, 2012

SUNDAY MORNING MASS 10:30 a.m. MINISTERS OF THE WORD S.T.A.Students; B. Chapman MINISTERS OF HOSPITALITY S.T.A. Students EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS M. Charbonneau; M. Campbell; A. & R. Dicker; T. Fiebig SERVERS S. Brown; E. Freamo; S. Lafont; N. Lesk CANTOR T.B.A.

The St. Francis Xavier CWL News:

DIOCESAN CWL: Workshop in Eganville on Saturday, February 4 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If interested, contact Joan at Join the VALLEY HARMONIZERS and special guests JUST FOR FUN in an evening 613-432-9161. of entertainment at the Bonnechere Manor. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: to all couples of the Parish Tickets for Harmony at the Manor featuring who celebrate a Wedding Anniversary in January. the barbershop chorus and octet are $10 each. We remember you and your intentions at the Show begins at 7 p.m., Friday, February 3rd, 10:30 a.m. Mass this weekend. May God Bless 2012. Get your tickets now before they are You All. Among those celebrating are: Don & Nancy Smith (46) sold out! Tickets may be purchased at either Mark & Melany Tracey (25) the Front Desk at Bonnechere Manor or Harry & Doreen Ballard ( 4) Aikenheads Drug Store. RENFREW & DISTRICT CHRISTIAN Love One Another SCHOOL: Invites you to their Annual N E W L I F E F A I T H R E T R E A T Fundraising Dinner on Friday, Feb. 10 St. John Chrysostom Parish, Arnprior, ON at Trinity St. Andrews United Church. A delicious roast beef dinner March 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2012 Our guest Seeking a new or deeper personal relationship with the will begin at 6:00 p.m. speaker will be author and storyliving Jesus Christ? Looking for more meaning and more joy in your life? Join us for the New Life Retreat, teller, Mary Cook. To reserve seats, a dynamic, life-changing, faith-building experience in please call 613-432-6554. the Lord. Registration required. Info: St. John Chrysostom RENFREW SENIORS HOME SUPPORT: is hosting Dessert with Mary Cook on Parish 613-623-8234; Chris or Anne Barrett 613Friday, February 17 th at 1:30 p.m. in the 623-8234; or email chriscjbarrett@gmail.
OUR LADY SEAT OF WISDOM ACADEMY presents:
The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde on Feb. 10 & 11 at 7:00 p.m. and Feb. 12 at 2:00 p.m. at Madawaska Valley District High School in Barrys Bay. Tickets: $8 Advance; $10 at the door; Students $5; groups of 15 or more with advance reservation receive $5 discount/ticket. For more info and reservations call 613-756-3082. REGISTRATION FOR JR. & SR. KINDERGARTENS:

THIS WEEK AT S.F.X.: *Mon. Bereavement Grp. 7:30 p.m. is hosting a Leadership (Small Hall) th

Presbyterian Church Kirk Hall. Tickets are $10, please purchase before Monday, February 13 th. Available at Aikenheads Drug Store and the Home Support office 613-432-7691.

REGISTRATIONS FULL DAY EARLY LEARNING JK/SK January 31 February 10, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
(or by appointment). Also accepting registrations for all grades September 2012! Phone: 613-432-4351 or 613-432-3597 NEWLY RENOVATED CLASSROOMS! COME AND SEE! Why Our Lady of Fatima? We strive to be exceptional.

JeanneCentre scolaire catholique Jeanne-Lajoie lmentaire Feb. 13th to 17th. Contact 613-732613-732-8302 to make an appointment. N.B.: registration may be done at any time or date.

O.L.F. Staff set high expectations. Faith-based Instructional Practices Provide healthy snacks Innovative Technology-21st Century Learning at Point of Instruction Exciting Extra-Curricular Sports & Clubs See posters for more information