Dear Parish Bulletin Reps: February is dedicated to the Holy Family.` The Holy Father’s intentions for February, 2021: Violence Against Women: We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded. Feasts for February: Presentation of the Lord (2/2), Blaise (2/3), Agatha (2/5), Paul Miki and Companions (2/6), Josephine Bakhita (2/8), Scholastics (2/10), Our Lady of Lourdes (2/11), Chair of St. Peter (2/22). “May our home be filled with joy. May sincere affection, patience, tolerance, and mutual respect be freely given to all.” ~ St. Padre Pio.
The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family. The Feast of the Presentation (2/2) or Candlemas forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter. The small Christ-Child is still in His mother’s arms, but already she is offering Him in sacrifice. The Solemnity of the Presentation of the Lord on February 2 harkens back to the Christmas mystery of Light, except that now, Christ, the helpless Babe, is “the Light of Revelation to the Gentiles who will save his people from their sins.” Candles symbolizing Christ our Light, will be carried in procession this day, as will be the Paschal candle during the Easter Vigil liturgy. We prepare to accept the cross of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday and plunge ourselves into anticipating the major exercises of Lent: fasting, prayer, almsgiving, laying our thoughts and prayers on the heart of our Mother Mary. “I love my Spiritual Children as much as my own soul and even more.” St. Padre Pio.
What
makes the Family strong? “We need simplicity to pray as a family,
reciting the Our Father, the Rosary, as a family, is very beautiful and a
source of great strength. Pray for each other. What makes the family
strong, PRAYER.” Pope Francis’ Homily, October 23, 2013.
May
we respectfully request that you continue your active support of the
monthly Padre Pio Prayer Group gatherings by inserting the following
invitation in your parish bulletin, :”Join our Padre Pio Prayer Group
(PPPG-CK) each second Saturday (2/13/2021) monthly for the 8:00 AM Mass,
Rosary, Discussion, Adoration @ Christ the King Church (Narthex), 4100
Harvest Lane, Toledo, OH 43623. Access ‘www.pppg.org‘ for info. Contact Magdalena Skiles (419.356.4208) or email ‘magdalena@magdalenaskiles.com‘.
