Welcome
FBRUARY 4 & 5, 2023
FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FROM DEACON DICK
“Polarization is not Catholic”
Pope Francis has warned against a “simplistic reductionism which sees only good or evil or the righteous and sinners.” He called for “a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good.” (Speech to US Congress, 2015)
Representatives from the Jesuit Magazine “America” asked Pope Francis how the church can respond to polarization within its own life and help to respond to polarization in society. Here’s a summary of what he said.
‘Polarization is not Catholic. A Catholic cannot think either-or (aut aut) and reduce everything to polarization. The essence of what is Catholic is both-and (et et). The Catholic unites the good and the
not-so-good. There is only one people of God. When there is polarization, a divisive mentality arises, which privileges some and leaves others behind. The Catholic always harmonizes the differences. If we see how the Holy Spirit acts; it first causes disorder. Think of the morning of Pentecost and the confusion it created there, and then it brings about harmony. The Holy Spirit in the church does not reduce everything to one value; rather it harmonizes opposing differences. That is the Catholic spirit.’
How Catholic are we?
Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief (Click link to Donate)
God of love,
our world is wrought with war and violence,
as brother turns on brother,
and the innocent awake to gunfire and bombs.
May Your compassion and healing
move hearts and bring a new day to Ukraine.
Fortify your children to resist agression
and instead become instuments of peace.
We ask this in the name of the One
who is the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.
Amen
Synod: a definition
“Despite the odd-sounding words, the vision is very simple: it’s about experiencing our faith as a journey together, accompanied by Jesus and the Apostles,” writes Bishop Scharfenberger in his Evangelist column. Essentially, the Synod, as Pope Francis has outlined it, will be about mutual listening and dialoging. It will be about reflecting and journeying together. Don’t get scared off by the unusual words. (Synodality isn’t even in the dictionary!) This local synod process is simply going to be an opportunity for you to share your thoughts, your hopes and your needs as a Catholic. We want to hear from you. We want to know what you need from the Church – both local and universal – to help you on your journey of faith. Together we will take the next steps toward greater unity, greater collaboration, greater faith!
Read Bishop Scharfenberger’s full column on the opening of the Synod in the Diocese of Albany
Dominican Retreat and Conference Center
The Dominican Retreat and Conference Center in Niskayuna, New York offers retreats for women and men, workshops and presentations to enhance your spiritual life and growth. We offer retreats for persons in 12 step programs on topics of alcoholism, abuse, and eating issues. Be sure to check out the Windmill, a private hermitage, available for private individual retreats. If you need a place to hold a retreat or conference, we have just the spot for you!
Mass Times
(Search Christ Our Light Church Loudonville)
Sunday, 10 AM
Tuesday, 9 AM
Updates, changes, and resources can be found on myParishApp on your mobile device by texting App to 88202. It’s FREE.
E-Giving
Click on to Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany website for details http://www.rcda.org/
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Daily Reading
Saturday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
02/04/23 9:30 am
Friday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
02/03/23 9:30 am
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
02/02/23 9:30 am