One of the most beautiful feast days in our liturgical calendar is that of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, or the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Candlemas, which occurs on February 2. All three of these titles indicate an aspect of the celebration: the 40-day-old baby Jesus is taken to the Temple in Jerusalem to be blessed by the priest, according to the Law of Moses (with the parents presenting the required gift of two doves); at the same time, also according to the Law, Mary is ritually purified from the blood of childbirth so that she can resume attendance at worship; and the third title refers to the practice of blessing all the candles for use in church, symbolic of this baby as the longed-for Light of the World. We will celebrate the feast on the Eve, Monday, February 1, at 7PM with Vespers at 6:30.
As we continue to be restricted by Montgomery County in the number of people allowed in the chapel at the same time, we have begun a more organized way of attempting to provide for everyone. Those who are not quarantining have been divided into two groups, one of which will be in the church on Sundays while the other is upstairs in the parish hall viewing the service via live-stream (Communion is brought up to those people). The next week, the two groups switch places so that everyone has an opportunity to actually be in church every other week. We look forward to warmer weather when the two groups can safely meet outside following Mass for simple coffee hours and an opportunity for fellowship with one another. Even more, we look forward to the end of this pandemic when we can all be together in church again!
Although the work has been exceedingly slow, there are only a few more hurdles to get through before the parish hall renovation is completed and we have an occupancy permit.
Thanks to all who contributed 200 pounds of canned goods to the annual Food for the Hungry collection. The food will be taken to the Manna Food Center for distribution.
Read the full February newsletter here.