Sunday, January 9th - The Baptism of the Lord
CHEERS: A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR
Cheers!
This is the last time that you will “see” me in front of a Nativity scene until December of this new year, 2022 — a little less than 12 months from now. But, the question is asked: “When does the Christmas season end?” or more practically, perhaps, “When should I take down my Christmas decorations?”. Well, the answer is complex. I guess the best answer is take them down whenever you want. However, let me give you some pertinent information.
The “liturgical” end of the Christmas season is on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord, this year, that is January 9. So, January 10 would be a good day to begin taking down all your Christmas decorations — inside and out.
You may wonder how the feast of the Baptism of our Lord is part of the “Christmas” season because we are told that Jesus was 30 years old at the time of his baptism and beginning of his public ministry (see Luke 3: 23). Well, part of the Christmas season is the celebration of our Lord’s epiphanies — the word “epiphany” meaning “manifestation”. The Church teaches that there were three “Epiphanies”: 1) when Jesus was “manifested” as an infant (maybe even as old as two years) to the Magi in Bethlehem. (See Matthew 2: 1 - 12, read every year on the feast of the Epiphany, that is, last Sunday). 2) when Jesus was “manifested” by God the Father as the “Son of God” at his baptism in the River Jordan by John the Baptism (an account read from one of the three Gospels, Matthew, Mark or Luke, each year on the feast of the Baptism of our Lord). 3) when Jesus was “manifested” as a miracle worker at the wedding feast in Cana (see John 2: 1 - 11, read only once every three years in the liturgical cycle “Year C” which is this year, 2022! Hey, that means that this year you could be “liturgically correct” by keeping your Christmas decorations up until January 16 — when the Gospel of the third “epiphany” is read!)
There are some other arguments or suggestions for when you should take down those decorations. One such date is the “12th Day of Christmas” which is either January 5 or January 6, depending on when you start counting those 12 days — either on December 25 or December 26 respectively.
The last liturgical feast that is connected to Christmas is February 2, the Presentation of our Lord, which according to Jewish law is to be done 40 days after the birth of a male child (see Leviticus 12: 1 -4). So, February 2 is another date for “un-decorating” your home.
Finally, some persons/families have their own preferred date for returning the house to the “pre-Christmas” look: December 26 or 31, January 2 or the first Saturday after Christmas.
My advice: whenever you want! Lol! I do know of a few persons who keep some or even all of their Christmas decor up all year long! Wow!
Have a good week. God bless you!
P.S. By the way, we will take down the church decorations at Holy Spirit on Monday, January 10.
P.S. By the way, we will take down the church decorations at Holy Spirit on Monday, January 10.
Fr. Bill
NEWS FROM THE PARISH
This Week at Holy Spirit!
We conclude the liturgical Christmas Season with this week with the Baptism of the Lord. All of our programs will resume this week, with some possible slight modifications due to the increasing number of Covid cases.
Please be mindful of other people and respectful to the mask wearing mandate. We ask that you wear a mask when on property at Holy Spirit. It can be very uncomfortable for our staff or Hospitality Ministers to ask people to put on a mask, especially when that request is met with tension. We ask that you show respect to others and curtesy to our staff and volunteers.
We will continue to live-stream our 4pm Mass for those who wish to continue watching Mass at home on YouTube/Holy Spirit Las Vegas; or through Facebook/HolySpiritRCLasVegas.
Do you need a prayer? Would you like to pray for someone? You can reply directly to this email (which will create a private comment) or click the 'Reply' button to leave a public comment.
We are united to one another through our prayer. We are praying for you. You are not alone.
POVERTY AWARENESS MONTH
During Poverty Awareness Month, join the U.S. Bishops, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the Catholic community in United States in taking up Pope Francis' challenge to live in solidarity with the poor!
Poverty USA is an initiative of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) and was created as an educational resource to help individuals and communities to address poverty in America by confronting the root causes of economic injustice—and promoting policies that help to break the cycle of poverty.
The domestic anti-poverty program of the US Catholic Bishops, CCHD helps low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families, and communities—and nurtures solidarity between people living in poverty and their neighbors.
Click on the picture below for more information and about how you can help.
THE LIGHTHOUSE YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Early in 2022 we are happy to announce that we will be starting a Young Adult Group called, 'The Lighthouse' at Holy Spirit. The details about this program are currently be worked upon and will be shared in the coming weeks.
Stay Posted in this bulletin for more information, as well as a complete schedule!
MOMENT OF THE WEEK
Back to Work! Many of our weekly programs such as SOAR, Edge, Upper Room, Well Built Faith, Walking with Purpose, etc. have been off for the Holiday Season. This week, our programs resume. While there may be some modifications to meeting due to the increasing rate of Covid cases due to the Omicron variant, we continue to push forward. In the coming months we will celebrate the Sacraments together with those who will receive them. We take these months leading to the Easter to prepare each candidate as we continue to walk with them in their journey of faith.
YOUR OPINION MATTERS
Where is one place that you would like to travel to this year?
Mountains/National Park
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Beach/Ocean
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Out of the Country
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To an Island
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A Neighboring State (CA, UT, AZ)
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The East Coast
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To Space
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Feel free to write a specific place you would like to travel to this year, or add your own comments & questions in the comments section. Last weeks #1 Answer to the question, 'What is your New Years Resolution for 2022 focused upon this year?' - Accomplishing a Goal
GOSPEL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Read the Readings from this Sunday, the Baptism of the Lord
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 104:1b-2, 3-4, 24-25, 27-28, 29-30; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22
Use the following discussion/reflection questions in your families, with your spouse, your friends, or even as personal journal questions
1. If Jesus is fully God, the Son of God, and never sinned, why was He baptized? What does Jesus’ baptism reveal about His character and love for us?
2. Is it significant that God called Jesus His “beloved Son”? Why? Why is it important that these words were said after Jesus’ baptism? What do the words, “beloved Son,” reveal about Baptism for us today?
3. Why did God send down the Holy Spirit in the physical form of a dove?
4. God is “well pleased” with His beloved Son. Has there been a time in your life when you thought God was well pleased with a decision you made?
WEEKLY WORSHIP
SURE THING
Lead me to the Rock ‘Cause I need something higher
Higher than the world could understand
Foolish as the cross Humble as the price You paid
The wisdom of a kingdom made to last
‘Cause I don’t wanna build this life
On Babylons of bricks and pride
Sitting on a fault line bound to quake
I’d rather be a bedrock fool Who trusts in nothing less than
You When every other sure thing surely fails
Lead me to the Rock Lift me from this sinking sand
I’m sorry for the junk I took for grace
Don’t let it take a fall To bring me to my knees again
But if it’s what I need I’ll take my place
‘Cause I don’t wanna build this house
With rubble from the same old ground
Sitting on a fault line bound to quake
I’m banking on a Roman frame the bedrock of an empty grave
When every other sure thing surely fails
Lord through it all Through the wind and the storm
On this Rock I’ll stand Empires may fold Pillars fail people fall
But Your Word still stands Age after age
Till the earth fades away Still Your kingdom stands
Name above names Jesus I need Your grace ‘Cause the world’s gone mad
Writers: Benjamin Hastings & Joel Houston (Hillsong Music)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtPjEuhdXg0
ANGEL TREE 2020
November 28th - December 13th
This year’s Angel Tree project will be a little different. As you are aware several things are different from prior years: We are practicing social distancing and many schools have not reopened. Many families are without jobs through no fault of their own. The agencies are at a disadvantage since they must use fewer volunteers to assist in their Christmas gift giving programs. We are limited in space for storage and the number of volunteers we can use at one time. Therefore, we are asking everyone to try something new this year…
After all the Masses on the weekend of November 21st & 22nd, volunteers will be handing out a special Angel tag as you leave Mass. Please consider taking one or two to help a child in need this Christmas. If you are unable to attend Mass and watch virtually, we have inserted an Angel tag in the bulletin that you can print, cut out and attach to your stocking. We will also leave some Angels in a basket in the gathering space of the church if you attend morning Mass during the week.
Here is what we are asking:
Please purchase a 16”-18” Christmas stocking and a Target, Walmart, Visa, etc. gift card (minimum $25). Please be sure to write the amount of your gift card somewhere on the card. You may choose the age and gender (newborn - teenagers) of your Angel just be sure to write that information on the back of the Angel. Put the gift card in the stocking and fill the rest of the stocking with little fun items you think your Angel would enjoy receiving. For many children this might be the only gift they will receive this year. After you have purchased the items and filled your stocking attach your Angel tag to the stocking and follow the directions on the back of the Angel tag. It is important that you give your stocking to one of the volunteers either on Wednesdays or on the weekend before all the Masses.
If you are unable to shop or would like us to shop for you, please put your donation (checks payable to Holy Spirit) in an envelope and label it “Angel Tree”. You can also go online to our website www.holyspiritlv.org, go to “Give On Line” and select “Angel Tree. Donations in the Poor Box will also assist with this project.
Thank you for rising to this new challenge and making this Christmas special for many deserving children. God bless you!
RCIA AT HOLY SPIRIT
Are you wanting to become Catholic? Do you know someone who is interested in becoming Catholic? Are you already Catholic, but have never been confirmed? Then the RCIA process is for you!
First-4-Month Calendar for the RCIA process: for all three groups listed:
All sessions will be on
Mondays in The
Upper Room from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Text Book: “A Well-Built Faith”
FALL RCIA CALENDAR
January 10th: "Sacraments of Initiation"
January 24th: "Sacraments of Healing
January 31st: "Sacraments at the Service of Communion
February 7th: "Human Dignity, Sin & Mercy"
February 28th: "The Commandments, Beatitudes & Virtues"
OUR COMMUNITY
Below is information about Holy Spirit! Access the information by clicking on the links below. If, for any reason, you cannot find what you are looking for, please call our office 702-459-7778
OUR MINISTRIES
Below is information about some of our ministries and groups at Holy Spirit. Access this information by clicking on the links below. For additional information, please call our office 702-459-7778
GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
Gift Shop Hours:
Open after all weekend liturgies and
Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm
(closed 12-1pm for lunch)
SYNOD FOR A SYNODAL CHURCH
The Church of God is convoked in Synod. With this convocation, Pope Francis invites the whole Church to question itself on synodality: a decisive theme for the life and mission of the Church. This is a two-year journey (2021-2023) of reflection and sharing of the whole Church.
"By walking together, and together reflecting on the journey made, the Church will be
able to learn from what it will experience which processes can help it to live
communion, to achieve participation, to open itself to mission."
able to learn from what it will experience which processes can help it to live
communion, to achieve participation, to open itself to mission."
Prayer for the Synod:
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name.
With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts;
Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it.
We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder.
Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions.
Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life
and not stray from the way of truth and what is right.
All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever.
Amen.
WAYS TO GIVE
IN PERSON: Drop it off at the office or Use the kiosk in the lobby of the Church
AT MASS: Put it in the collection basket at the altar steps when you attend Mass
MAIL: Send it through the mail (5830 Mesa Park Drive, LV, NV 89135)
Thank you for your generosity to Your parish!