For Pope Francis and Bishop Christian who constantly remind us of the presence of Jesus in our world and our Church and in all of the events that affect our lives.
We pray to the Lord.

For our Diocese and each parish family as we learn new ways to evangelize and to rediscover the graces received through the Eucharist and Adoration.
We pray to the Lord.

For governments and policy makers that they will heed the warning of the United Nations of the dangers of the growing use of assisted suicide for people who are not terminally ill.
We pray to the Lord.

For each person affected by the ongoing pandemic and for each person offering healing, comfort, assistance and hope to others during these days.
We pray to the Lord.

For our children and grandchildren as they bravely continue to attend school and teach us the proper response to pandemics!
We pray to the Lord.

For each person suffering from ailments of the throat and for all those who desire the special blessing on the Feast of St. Blaise.
We pray to the Lord.

For those who have died: Lois McHugh, Rosalie Ingersoll, Stella McIntyre, Celina Cook, Nola Gillen, Bill Brenan, Jake Logan, Bill Munro, Joe Parisien, and for those who love them.
We pray to the Lord.

Tuesday, February 2^nd, is the Feast of the Presentation marking Jesus’ first entry into the temple, forty days after His birth. It has also been marked as the Purification, the return of Mary to the Temple following the birth of her child. Over time the blessing of candles became associated with these feasts and processions would be held with lighted candles in anticipation of the return of days of more sunlight.

The Blessing of the Candles for use in homes was a reminder that there were still long days of darkness and winter to be endured. To make the feast a little more fun German Christians began to associate the activities of hedgehogs with a prediction of the end of winter. When German settlers came to North America, woodchucks (groundhogs) were more plentiful. Our Groundhog Day has its roots in Christian tradition and anticipation and hope. But the day is even more significant as we recall the groundhog gale that nearly blew the socks of the city 45 years ago!  However you see Feb. 2^nd it gives us reason to be grateful for our faith and a reassurance that all things will pass, even winter and the pandemic!

For Pope Francis who has placed the Church under the watchful care and protection of the Blessed Mother and her spouse Joseph.
We pray to the Lord.

For Bishop Christian and his priests as they meet this week.
We pray to the Lord.

For the unity of Christians and for those who are persecuted.
We pray to the Lord.

For our neighbours in the United States as they inaugurate a new government and administration.
We pray to the Lord.

In gratitude for the witness of married couples and for those who are planning marriage during this difficult year.
We pray to the Lord.

For the many people, especially the elderly and the poor, affected by the Pandemic here in New Brunswick and around the world.
We pray to the Lord.

For our High School students writing examinations during this stressful time and for all our children and grandchildren.
We pray to the Lord.

For those who have died : Sadie Zed, George Fournier, Kathleen Folkins, Edgar Gallant, Anne-Marie Wilkes, Brian Mackin, Paul McGrath, Dawn Bates, and for their families.
We pray to the Lord.

In 1989 Bishop Troy encouraged his priests to renew the tradition of preaching on the Sacrament of Matrimony on the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings on this second Sunday speak to us of the call of a prophet, the call of the first disciples and a call to physical integrity.                                              

People who have been called together in the grace of marriage offer a much needed witness to each of today’s readings as we face the challenges of our modern world and its current circumstances.                                                                     

The larger story in the Scriptures reminds us that it was not an easy path for the prophets and many stumbled along the way.  Peter, and his brother Andrew were far from perfect and their spiritual descendants (the Churches of the East and West) experienced a long estrangement of nearly a thousand years! For many of the biblical heroes physical integrity was not achieved in an instant!                                                                                     

In today’s world married couples try to witness to God’s forgiveness through their willingness to forgive each other and sacrifice for each other. They call each other to holiness in a way that is prophetic for the world. And that they do so in a world that does not often respect their commitment they are heroic and show us how to be humble before God.