January: Month of the Holy Name of Jesus
Part I: History of the Devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus
Paul wrote in Philippians that God the Father gave Christ Jesus “that name that is above every name” (see 2:9). Although Saint Paul might claim credit for promoting devotion to the Holy Name, this devotion became popular because of 12th-century Cistercian monks and nuns and especially through the preaching of St. Bernardine of Siena, a 15th-century Franciscan.
Bernardine used devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus as a way of overcoming bitter and often bloody class struggles and family rivalries or vendettas in Italian city-states. The devotion grew, partly because of Franciscan and Dominican preachers.
St. Bernardine used to carry a wooden placard showing the Eucharist surrounded by rays with the monogram “IHS,” an abbreviation of the Name of Jesus in Greek (Ἰησοῦς). Later, the devotional tradition added a new meaning to this monogram, turning it into a Latin “Christogram”: “I” for “Iesus” (Jesus); “H” for “Hominum” (of men); “S” for “Salvator” (Savior). That is, IHS means “Jesus, Savior of men.”
St. Ignatius of Loyola and the Jesuits made this monogram the emblem of the Society of Jesus in the 16th century. January 3 is the Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
-From FranciscanMedia.org
Watch for Part II in next week's Flocknote, where we'll learn about the power and spiritual aid from invoking Jesus' name.
The Holy Father's Intentions for the Month of January 2023
For educators: We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all.
Focus of the Liturgy
The Gospels for the Sundays in January during the Christmas season follow the annual readings from St. Matthew, St. Luke, and St. John. The remaining Sunday Gospels in Ordinary Time are taken from St. Matthew following the Lectionary Cycle A, and the Weekday readings follow Year I.
For more about January's lectionary, feast days, and more, click here.
1/6: Epiphany of Jesus
The Epiphany marks the arrival of visitors, identified in Scripture as the magi, to the place where Jesus was born. Although we know virtually nothing about them, we do know they brought three gifts:
- Gold — a symbol of wealth and power, identifies the recipient as a king.
- Frankincense — the crystalized resinous sap of a tree used as incense and as an offering, is symbolic of prayer.
- Myrrh — another resinous tree sap, was used in healing liniments and as an embalming ointment. Myrrh is an odd gift for a child—so, even at the beginning of Jesus' life on earth, this gift foreshadows his death.
At the 8 AM Mass on Friday, January 6, Fr. Farmer will bless the water as prescribed for Epiphany Blessing of Water. Blessed water, chalk, and the prayer for blessing homes (without the need of a priest or a theology degree) will be available at the weekend Masses. (Although the obligation for Mass and liturgical celebration takes place on the first Sunday after Jan 1 in the Archdiocese of Mobile and most dioceses throughout the world, the solemnity itself falls on January 6, hence the blessing on January 6.)
Also, the faithful can sign up for a period of time to visit Jesus, just like the Magi, during tomorrow's First Friday Adoration. Half-hour or hour spots are available for adorers. Sign up here or in the vestibule. First Friday Adoration is at Frassati Chapel this week.
Building Project Update
If you drive around to the back of the property, you'll see the extension off Sacred Heart Hall has been fully bricked in! Inside, the upstairs rooms have walls, so no more seeing through the frames. Downstairs, there is evidence of installation of the elevator and cabinetry for the new entrance gathering space.
BIG NEWS!
On the front side of the building, construction work on the new porte-cochère will begin on Monday, January 9! This covered driveway and walkway will allow parishioners and guests rain-free access to the front doors, just like the school entrance.
MAIN ENTRANCE CLOSING
Due to the work beginning on January 9, the main parish entrance will be closed until construction has been completed. The exits inside the sanctuary beside the choir and Mary statue will be open to enter the church for parish activities and Masses. On weekdays after school hours and weekends, the school entrance doors will be open. If you need assistance, please call the parish office.
Christmas Flowers: Thank You!
A Special THANK YOU to all families who contributed to the Christmas Flower offering. Your generosity helped provide all the beautiful flowers that adorn our worship space, bringing more profound meaning and attention to the Glory of God.
IN MEMORY OF
Robert L. Adrian
Patricia M. Adrian
Huiji Xu
Leroy C. Adrian
Evelyn G. Adrian
Everett C. Fosdyck
Richard D. Welch
Charles J. Adrian
Emma A. Adrian
Viola Louisa Adrian
Robert F. Hughes
Kathleen L. Sadler
Priscilla Ann Welch
Michael J. Goula
Carmen LaVorgna
Florence LaVorgna
Faith & John Goula Jr.
CV & Alberta Heintgelman
Richard & Marjorie Dick
Hubert & Frances Vaughn
Denny Dick
Jack & Alice Roberts
Jack W. Roberts
Barbara Johnston
Valerie Robert
Evelyn Edge
IN MEMORY OF
Donald Janning
Jean Janning
Clina White
Ann Lindner
Margaret Black
George Black
Salvador & Loreto Mena
Protacio & Estela Marty
Richard “Dick” White
Olivia Lillian Hall
Lillian Ziadek
George Ziadek
Jack Ziadek
Ronald & Thelma LaPointe
Arthur & Elizabeth Eccleston
Gloria Arce
Virginia Rivera
Charles Furguson
Horacio Rivera
Inez Cruz
Paula Royse Clark
Wynona Alvord
Julia DiFoleo
Pat DiFoleo
IN HONOR OF
Fr. Frank Sofie
Parish News
FOOD PANTRY
The food pantry is in need of jelly, hearty soups, spaghetti and oatmeal.
PARISH GROUPS RESUME WEEK OF JAN 8
Many parish groups resume this week:
Catholicism 101 on Jan 8 at 9 AM
Religious Education on Jan 8 (PreK at 8:45 AM in Atrium, K-5 at 9 AM)
JCYO and CYO on Jan 8 at 6 PM
Wisdom Circles on Jan 9-11 at 9 AM (details here)
DECORATION TAKE-DOWN
What goes up, must come down! Please join us to retire the Christmas decorations on Monday, January 9 beginning at 10:30 AM. Thank you in advance for volunteering.
DECEMBER FAMILY OF THE MONTH
The Knights of Columbus Family of the Month/Year Program promotes the development of strong Catholic families at St. Michael's Parish. They take great pleasure in recognizing the John and Sue Phillip Family as the December “FAMILY OF THE MONTH!” John is arguably the most active KOC member, coordinating or volunteering in nearly all Knight’s activities and is a member of the Men of St. Joseph. John, wife Sue, and their extended family also volunteer at seminarian fundraising activities, Lenten soup dinners and assist elderly parishioners with rides to Mass.
AFTER-MASS SOCIALS THIS WEEKEND
Join us for donuts/coffee after the morning Masses and wine/cheese after the evening Masses this weekend! Invite a friend, or come to meet new folks! Thank you to the Knights of Columbus for serving. If you want to help serve in February, click here.
BABY CLOTHING DRIVE
The Knights of Columbus will be conducting a Baby Clothing Drive all weekends in January 2023 for Baby Steps, which helps AU women to continue their education through pregnancy and thereafter. Please bring baby clothes, diapers, blankets, or other small items for infants and toddlers and place them in the box marked Baby Steps, located at the junction of the kitchen and vestibule hallways. Gift cards may be dropped by the church office during the week, or you may send them directly to Baby Steps, PO Box 713, Auburn, AL 36831.
EASEHOUSE MEALS IN 2023
The harvest is great, but the laborers are few! The need to feed the hungry here in Lee County is great and increasing! There are now updated opportunities for three individuals or families to cook meals for the low-income elderly at EaseHouse each week of 2023. It is a gift to be able to be the Lord's hands and feet through these weekly opportunities. Please be generous and sign up today by clicking here. Pictured below is program director Ms. Meadows and a tenant with the New Years delivery of meals.
