Bulletin for the Week of February 8, 2009

Mission Intention for February
That the Pastors of the Church may always be docile to the action of the Holy Spirit in their teaching and in their service to God’s people.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION: “The procession of the Blessed Sacrament in Lourdes starts from the Grotto to show that Jesus was given to us by the Virgin” (Francois Mauriac).. Eucharistic Adoration is held throughout the year every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 6 am to 9 pm at St. John’s Church Adoration Chapel, downstairs. Everyone is invited to spend some quiet time with Jesus anytime during these hours. For more information about spending a special hour with Jesus weekly, or becoming a substitute, please call 561-5083 or email us at Sjohnsadoration@aol.com

MARRIAGE TIP: (Black History Month) Have you learned something about married life from a couple of a different race or ethnicity? Find more Marriage Rx at:www.foryourmarriage.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOL EDUCATION: Those who wish to register for Catholic Schools next Fall can do so by phoning:
Seton Academy, PK-6, Plattsburgh: 563-6330
Seton Catholic Central School, Plattsburgh: 561-4031

ST. VALENTINE: Valentine was a third century Roman Martyr. Three hundred years after the death of Jesus Christ, the Roman emperors still demanded that everyone believe in the Roman gods. Valentine, a Catholic priest, had been thrown in prison for his teachings. On February 14, Valentine was beheaded, not only because he was a Catholic, but also because he had performed a miracle. He supposedly cured the jailer's daughter of her blindness. The night before he was executed, he wrote the jailer's daughter a farewell letter, signing it From Your Valentine. His martyrdom most likely took place on the Flammian Way, two miles outside the city of Rome around 250 AD during the Decian persecution. In honor of St. Valentine, forgive and enemy, contact an old friend and tell someone you love them.

MONTH OF THE FAMILY: By tradition, the Catholic Church dedicates each month of the year to a certain devotion. In February, it is the Holy Family, the perfect example of family life for all Christians. In your personal prayers to the Holy Family, meditate on the example of the Holy Family and ask the Holy Family to intercede on behalf of your family. Incorporated these into your daily prayers during this month.

LOVE GOD AND LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor as yourself, is how Jesus sums up the whole law and the prophets. These vertical and horizontal loves are imaged in the cross of Christ Jesus, which binds all creation together and leads all creation to God. We receive the cross in baptism as a sign that we are servants of the living God who raised his son, Jesus, from the dead so that Jesus might save us from sin and retribution. How do you bear your baptismal cross before humankind and before God?

WORLD DAY OF THE SICK: The World Day of the Sick is celebrated this year on Wednesday, February 11, on the day when the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubiroux, a fourteen year old girl at the grotto of Massabielle nears Lourdes in southern France 151 years ago. Bernadette was told to dig a spot in the topsoil. Water began to flow from the spot. The water from this still flowing spring has shown remarkable healing power, though it contains no curative property that science can identify. The Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes is the most visited pilgrimage site in the world. This World Day of the Sick is a day to pray for and to remember all those who are sick and to recognize and to honor those who work in healthcare and those who serve as caregivers.