Sunday January 27th. 2008
Church rota February 2nd—3rd
St. Joseph’s
Reader: Liz Campbell
Prayers: David MacFarlane
Ech. Mins: Betty Porter Margaret Muncie
Cleaning: Private rota
St. Margaret’s
Readers: Nilda Hawke Catriona MacDonald
Prayers: Val MacDonald
Euch. Mins: Ian MacDonald Deirdre MacDonald
Cleaning: Ishbel Campbell
Because of the importance of the infant Christ being the Light of the World, this
feast of the Presentation also became known as Candlemas Day, for on this day all
the candles to be used in the church for mass and other services throughout the
year were blessed. People were encouraged to take a blessed candle home with them>
It was lit when there was any anxiety or fear from storm or pestilence; it was often
lit when the family gathered round in the evening to say the rosary. It is lit when
the priest brings Our Lord in holy communion to a sick person in the house.
When
a person dies at home, the candle is lit in the room where the remains lie as a reminder
to the family of the light of Christ shining out in the darkness of their sorrow.
Candles will be blessed at the Vigil Mass next Saturday, and also on Sunday morning
at the 11.30 a.m. mass. Every home should have a blessed candle. Please take a blessed
candle home with you and keep it safe to be used as a reminder of Christ’s presence
close to us in every situation.
People believe that Candlemas Day predicted the weather
for the rest of the winter. The weather proverb below expresses the idea that a fine
bright sunny Candlemas day means that there is more winter to come, whereas a cloudy
wet stormy Candlemas day means that the worst of winter is over.
If Candlemas Day be dry and fair,
The half o the winter's to come and mair;
If Candlemas
Day be wet and foul,
The half o the winter's gane at Yule.
May Christ the Light of the world enlighten all our days that lie ahead in this new year of 2008
Fr. Peter Wilkinson
I will be spending from Sunday to Thursday with my niece and her husband on their farm just outside Perth on the Inverness Road.
Fr. Peter has very kindly offered to look after the parish to let me away for a short break. He needs no introduction as he is well known to all our parishioners already. He has brought his pipes with him to play the haggis into the hall at the Burns supper on Saturday evening.
Should a priest be required urgently, and you cannot contact Fr. Peter on the parish
number, (712-
There is always Mgr. MacKinnon on 70-
and Fr Johnstone on 70–0622
Wedding
We wish Lindsay Campbell, daughter of Roddy and Betty Campbell, and Angus Rae, Kentallen, every blessing on their wedding day in St. Mary’s next Saturday, February 2, Candlemas Day.
Please note: Mass on Wednesday will be at 10 a.m. instead of evening mass at 7.30 p.m.
Feast of the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple, Feb. 2nd
Holy Simeon, one of the elderly priest in the temple at Jerusalem, had been promised
by God that he would die until he had seen the Messiah.
On the day the Mary and Joseph
brought the child to the temple to present him to God, Simeon took the child in his
arms and immediately recognised the fulfilment of God’s promise to him, for this
was truly the Son of God.
He uttered the beautiful prayer which is part of the night office of the priest’s
breviary, and is often recited at funerals:
Now Lord you can let you servant go in
peace according to your promise,
for my eyes have seen your salvation
which you have prepared for all the nations,
the Light to enlighten the Gentiles,
and give glory to your people Israel.