DEC 31

EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD

On Tuesday, January 6th, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the Eastern Churches this feast is known by two names: Epiphany and Theophany. The Greek word, “Epiphany” means “a manifestation “ or “an apparition” and the word, “Theophany means an appearance of God.” On this day we celebrate the appearance or manifestation of Christ among us as God’s Son.

The feast of Epiphany was first celebrated in the East around the third century and eventually was adopted by the Western Church. In the Eastern Churches the celebration of the Epiphany originally centered on both the Birth of our Lord and his baptism. When the later Western feast of Christmas was introduced into the East, Christmas became the feast of the Birth of our Lord and the Epiphany, that of his baptism.

The feast of the Epiphany is intimately connected with the mystery of our Lord’s birth. The Child who was born for us and the Son who was given to us is manifested before us to be the Son of the Most High. Christ begins his public life with his baptism by John in the Jordan river. At his baptism, Christ is seen as the fulfillment of John’s preaching: he is the Messiah and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The Father and the Holy Spirit are witnesses to Christ for he is the beloved Son of the Father and upon him the Spirit rests. Thus at the baptism of the Lord we have not only an epiphany or manifestation of Christ as God’s Son, but also a theophany or manifestation of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The feast of the Epiphany reminds us not only of the baptism of Christ, but also of our own baptism. St Ephrem in his Hymn on Epiphany says: “...our blessed Lord came to be baptized with sinners and because of his glory the heavens were opened. The One who purifies all creatures, desiring to cleanse them, went into the waters and sanctified them for our baptism.” It is for this reason that we bless water on this day. Originally, the mystery of baptism was celebrated on this feast and the waters blessed were those of baptism.

On Epiphany, we celebrate the manifestation or epiphany of the Trinity at the baptism of Christ as well as the manifestation of the glory of God in the person of the Lord come into the world, that is to say, the manifestation of Christ, the Word of God, among us. Let us then call to mind the grace of God who has appeared for the salvation of all, and thank him for the baptism through which we have been begotten in the Spirit and through which we have put on Christ and become children of the Father.

 

MEN’S SOCIETY

LET’S GO BLUES! The Saint Raymond’s Men’s Society is having a night out at the Blues game. The game is on Thursday January 8th at 7 pm against the San Jose Sharks. Tickets are $27.00. Please consider bringing your sons or grandchildren and/or a friend to the game. We will meet at Johnny’s Restaurant & Bar located at 1017 Russell Blvd at 5:01 sharp for dinner and drinks and they will shuttle us to the game and back. Please contact Scott Elking at (314)267-3002 or scott@caryep.com to reserve your tickets.

DUE TO THE HOCKEY GAME, THE MENS SOCIETY  WILL HOLD THEIR MONTHLY MEETING ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH  AT 6:30 PM IN THE LEBANON ROOM. ALL MEN ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE.

 

LADIES SOCIETY

Due to the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th, the Ladies society will hold their monthly meeting on Tuesday January 13th at 7 pm in the Lebanon room. All ladies of the parish  are invited to attend.

  THANK YOU....

Chorbishop Moussa Joseph extends his sincere thanks and appreciation for all the thoughtfulness, the

Christmas cards and the gifts from the parishioners and friends of St. Raymond’s. May the New Year bring to all of you the blessings of good health , peace and happiness.

 

THANK YOU

Sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who helped with the tree of life gifts for the needy. A special thanks to Mr. And Mrs. Brian Wahby  who coordinated the project and distributed the gifts to the Sisters of St. Teresa & Bridget.

 

FAITH & HERITAGE

There will be no Faith and Heritage classes on December 28th and January 4th. They will resume January 11th. Have a blessed holiday Season.

EPIPHANY

On Monday, January 5th at 7:00 pm, there will be a Liturgy for the Epiphany of Our Lord with the ceremony of the blessing of the water. Following the Liturgy, everyone is invited to the hall for the traditional treat “ZLABYEE” and coffee.  Please join us as a parish family and community. On Epiphany, there will be two

Liturgies: 8 am and 12 noon. Please make every effort to attend one of the Liturgies

The Little Sisters of the Poor, who have been welcoming aged poor persons and sharing their lives with them within the Archdiocese for over 140 years, will be visiting our parish Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25 to speak of their mission within the Church, and to ask our help.  Their Home, in North St. Louis, currently serves 115 needy elderly persons who are loved and cared for until death, so that they live in security and dignity.

 

The heart of their mission is simply to provide a “Home”, so that those elderly with whom the sisters joyfully share their lives, realize how much God loves them and wants them to be with Him forever in heaven.  Throughout their history, the Little Sisters have depended on the collaboration of the laity to enable them to support their Residents and live their vocation.  The Sisters will have envelopes in the pews and will briefly speak at Mass to ask your support.  Please make checks payable to the Little Sisters of the Poor.