Final Feast Day of "Christmas Time"

Regular weekend Mass Schedule 
Click this link  > (Sat 4p; Sun,7a,9a,11a, 5p)  for details.

In-person attendance is available at all Masses

This week, we made some technical changes to our internet to allow for us to stream in high definition (1080p). We separated our live-stream camera signal from other internet traffic on our connection to Cox business services. You should notice some clear improvements on your end and hopefully minimal signal interruptions. We are not professionals and do not use professional equipment, but we are doing our best to connect our parishioners to the Holy Mass at St. Clare Church. We hope we will see you soon, but also hope you can see us better and pray better now that our signal has been improved.

Mass will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.
 * 4:00 p.m. Saturday
* 11:00 a.m. Sunday

* Tues and Thursday at 8:00 a.m.

Need help with live stream? click our page

Holy Communion will be distributed in the lobby/narthex of the church and curbside in the handicapped parking next to church for 30 minutes only after the conclusion of live streamed Mass. 

Please wear your mask over your nose and mouth when in church as an act of charity for others.

Church bulletin click

He has recovered from COVID-19 and has been isolated at home since Dec. 14 while getting treatment. It was a blessing that he did not need to be hospitalized. We rejoice that his doctor allows him to return to us! He is very grateful for all your prayers for his recovery.

Links - USCCB - Enlaces 

Reading I    Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD:
Here is my servant whom I uphold,
my chosen one with whom I am pleased,
upon whom I have put my spirit;
he shall bring forth justice to the nations,
not crying out, not shouting,
not making his voice heard in the street.
a bruised reed he shall not break,
and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,
until he establishes justice on the earth;
the coastlands will wait for his teaching.

I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice,
I have grasped you by the hand;
I formed you, and set you
as a covenant of the people,
a light for the nations,
to open the eyes of the blind,
to bring out prisoners from confinement,
and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Thus says the LORD:
All you who are thirsty,
come to the water!
You who have no money,
come, receive grain and eat;
come, without paying and without cost,
drink wine and milk!
Why spend your money for what is not bread,
your wages for what fails to satisfy?
Heed me, and you shall eat well,
you shall delight in rich fare.
Come to me heedfully,
listen, that you may have life.
I will renew with you the everlasting covenant,
the benefits assured to David.
As I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander of nations,
so shall you summon a nation you knew not,

and nations that knew you not shall run to you,
because of the LORD, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, who has glorified you.

Seek the LORD while he may be found,
call him while he is near.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way,
and the wicked man his thoughts;
let him turn to the LORD for mercy;
to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
As high as the heavens are above the earth
so high are my ways above your ways
and my thoughts above your thoughts.

For just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
and do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
so shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
my word shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm   Psalm 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10

R. (11b)  The Lord will bless his people with peace.
Give to the LORD, you sons of God,
    give to the LORD glory and praise,
Give to the LORD the glory due his name;
    adore the LORD in holy attire.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters,
    the LORD, over vast waters.
The voice of the LORD is mighty;
    the voice of the LORD is majestic.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.
The God of glory thunders,
    and in his temple all say, “Glory!”
The LORD is enthroned above the flood;
    the LORD is enthroned as king forever.
R. The Lord will bless his people with peace.

R. (3)  You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
God indeed is my savior;
    I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
    and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
    at the fountain of salvation.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
    among the nations make known his deeds,
      proclaim how exalted is his name.
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
    let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
    for great in your midst
    is the Holy One of Israel!
R. You will draw water joyfully from the springs of salvation.

Reading II    Acts of the Apostles 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered
in the house of Cornelius, saying:
“In truth, I see that God shows no partiality.
Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly
is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites
as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all,
what has happened all over Judea,
beginning in Galilee after the baptism
that John preached,
how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit and power.
He went about doing good
and healing all those oppressed by the devil,
for God was with him.”

Beloved:
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God,
and everyone who loves the Father
loves also the one begotten by him.
In this way we know that we love the children of God
when we love God and obey his commandments.
For the love of God is this,
that we keep his commandments.
And his commandments are not burdensome,
for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world.
And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
Who indeed is the victor over the world
but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ,
not by water alone, but by water and blood.
The Spirit is the one who testifies,
and the Spirit is truth.
So there are three that testify,
the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
and the three are of one accord.
If we accept human testimony,
the testimony of God is surely greater.
Now the testimony of God is this,
that he has testified on behalf of his Son.

Alleluia    Cf. John 1:29

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
John saw Jesus approaching him, and said:
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel   Mark 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed:
“One mightier than I is coming after me.
I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals.
I have baptized you with water;
he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee
and was baptized in the Jordan by John.
On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open
and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him.
And a voice came from the heavens,
“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

Image above used with permission: source https://catholiccurrent.org/january-2021/

The assault on police officers, politicians and property on the United States Capitol on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 must be condemned by all peace-loving reasonable persons. I am deeply saddened by the rioting and this scar on our reputation as a civilized constitutional federal republic. We have long celebrated democracy and diversity of opinions with vigorous public debate. I condemn the violence and destruction that I saw in the news this week and in cities around the nation over the past many months.

Let us love one another as Christ loves us. He is merciful and just, slow to anger and rich with compassion. (Psalm 145)

The Catholic Church defends the right to be part of the political public debate and the freedom of speech, but destruction of public or private property and bodily attacks on members of our government or police officers and security personnel are not acceptable and must be strongly condemned. Violence and destruction do not contribute to positive and fruitful dialogue and they make our society and nation weaker, not stronger.  

Words can also contribute to disrespect, violence and destruction. We have heard shocking words come from President Trump, President-elect Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and other senators, congress members, politicians and reporters. We must hold leaders accountable for hyperbolic incendiary language, but those who commit criminal actions must face legal consequences for what they freely chose to do.  

We must not allow these events to wipe out advances we have made. Nor should we resort to blaming everyone in a crowd for the criminal behavior of the minority. Just because a huge number of people are physically in the same place, does not mean they all share the same mind or all have evil intention. 

We must still be grateful for whatever good is done by any political party or individual. We must not define people merely by their sin. God does not define us by our personal sins. Christ died on the cross to show the depth of his mercy and love. He calls us to repentance and conversion and told us to pray for our enemies and persecutors.

Please pray for a peaceful transition of power at the highest level of our federal government.  No matter who you voted for in the presidential election, we must work together in peace. 

The work of defending human rights must continue for people of all ages, including the right to life of the unborn. Life is the preeminent right of every human being. Babies are not possessions. We proclaim the sanctity of life from the moment of conception until natural death at old age. 

There are also many other social concerns that still need to be addressed. COVID-19 is still very high on the list of problems we face and its devastating effects on the economy, education, faith communities and are emotions. Health care, immigration, migration, education, the environment, international relations, natural resources, terrorism, are just the names of a few things that raise passionate fears and desires.

May we strive to work together to improve life for all people and restore a deep respect for our human institutions and our communities. Jesus taught us the Great Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength; and your neighbor as yourself." (cf. Matthew 22:37). Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. (cf. Matthew 6:33)

God bless all of you.

- Father Hans

husband of Mary and foster-father of Jesus

Statue of St. Joseph with Infant Jesus
at St. Clare of Assisi Church, Surprise, AZ