Spirit of the Eagle – February 2015

Spiritual Tidbits for February from Father Tim

Now is the winter of our discontent, made glorious summer by this sun of York was coined by William Shakespeare and put into print in Richard III, 1594. A play on words by Shakespeare, hinting that Richards unhappiness is about to end because his family has taken the throne. While we at Saint John’s are in the depth of winter, we also have much to be happy about. Our personal relationship with our Savior Jesus Christ, family, church family, and friends just to point out a few. The start of the new year is well under way and the “gesima” days are here. Ash Wednesday is right around the corner with the Lenten weeks in tow, and Spring will arrive soon thereafter! Let’s continue deep in prayer, Scripture, and evangelizing to and for all those around us while building momentum for a glorious summer at Saint John the Evangelist. ~Father Tim

February Spirituality Class

Please join me on the 22nd of February after Mass for a quick class on Church history. Many in our parish struggle to answer when asked, “What is an Anglican Catholic church?” So we will start at the root of the vine and travel up the trunk, discussing all the branches beginning with the ancient Church and ending at where we are today. I will use Ye Are The Body, A People’s History of The Church, by Bonnell Spencer, O.H.C. as reference. Make sure you bring a friend or family member with you! ~Father Tim

Ash Wednesday Mass

There will be an Ash Wednesday “blessing of the ashes” and Mass on the 18th of February. We will have two services, one at 12:00 PM with a said Mass for those who would like to come on their lunch hour, and one at 6:00 PM (with Mass or Evening Prayer TBD) for those who want to come in the evening. satellite maps . Begin the journey to the cross…

That noblest of all passions, the passion for perfection for Love’s sake, far outweighs the desire for transcendental satisfaction. “O Love,” said Saint Catherine of Genoa, “I do not wish to follow thee for sake of these delights, but solely from the motive of true love.” Those who do otherwise are only, in the plain words of Saint John of the Cross, “spiritual gluttons”: or, in the milder metaphor here adopted, magicians of the more high-minded sort. He goes because he must, as Galahad went towards the Grail: knowing that for those who can live it, this alone is life. He never rests in that search for God which he holds to be the fulfillment of his highest duty… ~Evelyn Underhill, Mysticism

February Birthdays & Anniversaries

Kathleen Brady – Birthday – February 2
Sally Whalen – Birthday – February 6
Avery Moore – Birthday – February 8
Ruth & Mike Lenz – Anniversary – February 16
Carrie Moore – Birthday – February 18
Isabelle McHale – Birthday – February 20
Bob Petrie – Birthday – February 23
Mike Whalen – Birthday – February 27
Jack Murray – Birthday – February 28

Men’s Group Shrove Pancake Breakfast – Sunday, February 15

The name Shrove comes from the old word “shrive” which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent. Shrove Tuesday is always celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday and is therefore the final day before the commencement of Lent.

In observance of Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 17, the SJC Men will be holding their Annual Shrove Pancake Breakfast after Church on Sunday, February 15.