The Feast of the Conversion of
Saint Paul the Apostle
“And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Just One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name,’” (Acts 22:14-16). [1]
Today’s feast honours St. Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. It stands as a model for the extraordinary power of the Risen Christ, the grace that comes through His merciful love, and the
oneness of all believers in the body of Christ. St. Paul’s conversion highlights that we are called to be radically transformed, new people after our
The painting above is by Michelangelo Merisi (1573-1610), better known as Caravaggio.
Read more about the painting
encounter with Christ. As Ananias instructed St. Paul to do after our life has been renewed, we are called to rise and witness to the Just One’s divine power. [2][3]
Written by Sarah Ciotti
Reviewed by Fr. Hugh Feiss, OSB, STD
[1] Revised Standard Version s.v., “The Acts of the Apostles.”
[2] Benedict XVI, Angelus, January 25, 2009.
[3] Benedict XVI, Homily, January 25, 2012.
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A huge thank you to St. Mary's Cathedral Knights of Columbus
for recently donating a conveyor toaster to the Drop-In Centre. The toaster has a capacity for 60 slices of toast per hour. This will greatly improve the efficiency of food preparation especially during our busy times. Many thanks to Grand Knight Ian Moore (pictured with Ann) and all the members of Council # 728 for their generosity and ongoing support of the Drop-In Centre for the homeless and the very poor.
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Day 7 of Nine Days for Life
Intercession: May those who long to welcome a child into their family be filled with trust in God’s loving plan.
Prayers: Our Father, 3 Hail Marys, Glory Be
Reflection: It can be very difficult and painful when the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers in the way we hope. A couple that finds themselves unable to bring a child into the world through their loving union can experience this disappointment very deeply. During such times of trial, we may wonder why we face the particular challenges that we do. Yet even though suffering is often shrouded in a sense of mystery, we believe that the Lord loves us with great tenderness and compassion that is beyond our imagination. Knowing this, we can trust that “all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Rom 8:28).
Acts of Reparation (choose one):
- Smile. Ask God today for the grace to be extra joyful and share Christ’s love with those who need encouragement the most today.
- Offer the Prayer for Those Hoping to Conceive or Adopt a Child, and spend some time reflecting on the accompanying excerpt from Psalm 145.
- Offer some other sacrifice, prayer, or act of penance that you feel called to do for today’s intention.
One Step Further: “Seven Considerations While Navigating Infertility” (www.usccb.org/navigating-infertility) seeks to provide compassionate guidance that is both practical and informative for married couples who are walking on this road. Although geared to such couples, the article is also helpful for anyone to read, offering insight into the experience of infertility and giving awareness of the need for sensitivity in our relationships with those who may be affected.
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The Following is the
Program of Prayer & Study
Tuesday, January 25th, 2022
My dear sisters and brothers in Christ
Please stay safe. Be prudent. Wash hands often. Practice physical distancing. Wear your mask in all indoor public places.
Contact one person today who does not have many people to contact them.
Above all, pray!
United in prayer in Christ.
Father Shawn
Daily Readings: cccb.ca
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Catechism in a Year
Day 14
29. Why is there no contradiction between faith and science?
Though faith is above reason, there can never be a contradiction between faith and science because both originate in God. It is God himself who gives to us the light both of reason and of faith.
"I believe in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe."
(St. Augustine)
Further reading: CCC 159
30. Why is faith a personal act, and at the same time ecclesial?
Faith is a personal act insofar as it is the free response of the human person to God who reveals himself. But at the same time it is an ecclesial act which expresses itself in the proclamation, "We believe". It is in fact the Church that believes: and thus by the grace of the Holy Spirit precedes, engenders and nourishes the faith of each Christian. For this reason the Church is Mother and Teacher.
"No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother."
(St. Cyprian)
Further reading: CCC 166-169, 181
Though faith is above reason, there can never be a contradiction between faith and science because both originate in God. It is God himself who gives to us the light both of reason and of faith.
"I believe in order to understand; and I understand, the better to believe."
(St. Augustine)
Further reading: CCC 159
30. Why is faith a personal act, and at the same time ecclesial?
Faith is a personal act insofar as it is the free response of the human person to God who reveals himself. But at the same time it is an ecclesial act which expresses itself in the proclamation, "We believe". It is in fact the Church that believes: and thus by the grace of the Holy Spirit precedes, engenders and nourishes the faith of each Christian. For this reason the Church is Mother and Teacher.
"No one can have God as Father who does not have the Church as Mother."
(St. Cyprian)
Further reading: CCC 166-169, 181