Spirit of the Eagle – February 2017

Spiritual Tidbits for February from Father Tim

February has arrived along with the ‘gesima’ days. The ‘gesima’ days appear to have origin in the old Roman rite coming into being shortly after the invasion of Italy by the Lombard’s in A.D. 568. From there they passed into the medieval Missals and thence to our beloved Book of Common Prayer. Over the following years the Pre-Lenten season extended the removal of all festal features, such as the Gloria in excelsis and the Alleluia, possibly as a result of the Eastern Church upon the Western Church (the Eastern Church observed an eight-week rather than a six-week Lenten fast). The season for repentance is at hand. However, the Epistle and Gospel lessons we read each Sunday during this season are also connected with the preparation of vineyards and seeds at the time of the spring equinox, thus we have anticipation of winter drawing to a close and new life coming forth. This month also contains Saint Valentines feast day. Sadly, few will remember him for his true Sainthood when buying flowers, candy, and other worldly items. Valentine was a priest and champion for encouraging marriage within the Christian church. In the year 269 A.D., Valentine was sentenced to a three part execution of a beating, stoning, and finally decapitation, all because of his stand for Christian marriage. He was committed. He gave all. As the Pre-Lent ‘gesima’ days arrive what will you champion this year? What vine will you nurture? What seeds will you prepare for Spring? What will you give all for? I pray your February contains good choices and remains full of love, faith, and hope. ~ Father Tim

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Ghostly gifts truly direct a devout soul to love burningly; to meditate sweetly; to contemplate highly; to pray devoutly, and to praise worthily; to desire JESU only, to wash the mind from filth of sins; to slaken fleshly desires; [and to despise all earthly desires] and to paint the wounds and Christ’s cross in mind; and, with an unwearied desire, with desire to sigh for the sight of the most glorious Clearness. Such are the precious ointments with which a hallowed soul is best anointed and made fair with God’s love. ~ Richard Rolle, Hermit of Hampole, The Fire of Love, Chapter XXVI

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Violet Grace McDermott Baptism

On Sunday, the 12th of February, at the end of Holy Mass Violet Grace McDermott, infant daughter of Jamie and Lori McDermott, will be baptized into the family of God. Godparents Anthony Hill, Carrie Hill, and Kelsey Mckee will attend. Please be sure to attend and celebrate this wonderful and holy Sacrament.

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Bible Study

From now, through the 9th of April, the church will once again open at 9:15 AM for Bible Study Class (9:30- 10:15 AM). The group will be led by Adam Cook. This is a wonderful opportunity to pray, learn more about the Bible (especially the Old Testament), or both! Please come downstairs to the Parish Hall if you would like to attend the Bible Study. We will do our best to have the heat in the parish hall on early!

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February Spirituality Class

Please join us on after Holy Mass on the 19th of February as we discuss the Roots of Christian Mysticism. We will continue this month with Roots in the Desert. The foundation of Christian contemplative prayer is to be found in the Scriptures, but the 4th century saw a flowering of this way of prayer in the Egyptian desert primarily. Evagrius is one of the most important teachers in this tradition and Cassian followed in his footsteps. We will look at both and distill the essence of their guidance relevant to us today. All devout Christians must look into their own hearts and first determine who they are, and how their own identities relate to Jesus the Christ as Saviour, Messiah, Man and God. If Jesus were to ask you, “Who do you say I am?”, what would you answer? How seriously do you take this question? Your answer will bring forward how well you actually know yourself.

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William Law, Anglican Priest
1686-1781

For there is nothing that makes us love a man so much as praying for him; and when you can once do this sincerely for any man, you have fitted your soul for the performance of everything that is kind and civil towards him. This will fill your heart with a generosity and tenderness, that will give you a better and sweeter behavior than anything that is called fine breeding and good manners. ~ William Law, A Serious Call to A Devout and Holy Life

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Psalm-Children Ministry

The children are doing a great job participating in our classes. This month we will study The Ten Commandments, the stories of the Centurion’s Servant and Jairus’ Daughter, The Lenten Season, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In addition, we have several children who have been doing a wonderful job preparing for First Holy Communion. The Psalm Children ministry aims to provide religious education and encourage service through a combination of lessons, crafts, and activities. All children ages 2-12 are encouraged to attend, and adolescents have an open invitation to participate as assistant teachers. ~ Mary Matias Akhtar

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February Birthdays & Anniversaries

Catherine Akhtar – Birthday – February 6
Sally Whalen – Birthday – February 6
Tim Grothaus – Birthday – February 8
Ruth & Mike Lenz – Anniversary – February 16
Mary Matias & Reza Akhtar – Anniversary – February 17
Carrie Moore – Birthday – February 18
Isabella McHale – Birthday – February 20
Bob Petrie – Birthday – February 23
Mike Whalen – Birthday – February 27
Emmelia Grothaus – Birthday – February 28
Jennifer Cook – Birthday – February 28
Jack Murray – Birthday – February 28