FROM THE PASTOR’S PEN for Sunday, January 10^th, 2021

Dear Parishioners and friends of North Central Windsor Catholic Family of Parishes,

Today’s Feast
marks the conclusion of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time.  It’s a feast of transition from Jesus’ hidden life to that of His public ministry.  It also echoes the theme of the Epiphany in that the Baptism of the Lord is another manifestation announcing Jesus’ divinity to all of His first followers and to the disciples of John the Baptist.  
As we prepare to begin Ordinary Time, reflect, today, upon these words of the Father at the Baptism of Jesus.  Hear the Father speaking to You about the divinity of His Son.  Turn your eyes to Jesus and prepare yourself to follow Him and to heed every word He speaks.  He was sent into this world to draw us to the Father, allow Him to fulfill that mission in your own life.  
Lord, I believe that You are the Son of the Eternal Father and the Savior of the World.  I believe that You have brought about a new era of grace and truth and that I am called to follow You wherever You lead.  As we begin this liturgical season of Ordinary Time, may it be a time of extraordinary grace in which I daily heed Your voice.  Jesus, I trust in You.  

VIRTUAL PRAYERS AND SHARING  
Please join us Thursday January 14th at 7:00 PM for a time of prayer and sharing.  This will be by Zoom video.  We will begin with prayer, scripture reading followed by a short reflection then an opportunity for sharing.  This is an opportunity for us to connect and talk about what’s on your mind.  The session will conclude by praying for our needs and the needs of those around us.  
To assist those who may not be familiar with Zoom we will have a trial session  
Wednesday Jan.13th at 7:00PM.  
This will assure everyone is comfortable with the technology and able to connect.  
If this is of interest to you please register at this link https://ncwcf.dol.ca/virtual-prayers-and-sharing and a link will be sent to your email.  
   
The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated 18 to 25 January 2021 on the theme “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (John 15:5-9). The resources in English and in French can be freely downloaded from the Canadian website for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme and biblical texts for this annual Week of Prayer are jointly prepared by the Holy See’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. The thematic introduction to the 2021 materials comes from the Monastic Community of Grandchamp in Switzerland, a group of religious sisters from different church traditions brought together by a common vocation of prayer, community life and hospitality and by their commitment to Christian unity. National and regional Councils of Churches adapt the resources for their local context. The resources for Canada are produced by an ecumenical writing team coordinated by the Commission on Faith and Witness of the Canadian Council of Churches (CCC).  

Memorial Wall to be created in Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Hall  
In spite of the pandemic raging around us and like many other worthy organizations competing for scarce funds in our city, there is an ongoing need to raise funds to pay for the OLOG Church Hall. Our Fundraising Committee, headed by Tom O’Brien, will be creating a “Memorial Wall” in the Church Hall. The Memorial Wall will have the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe accompanied by Memorial Wall Plaques in memory of loved ones of members of our parish family. Special thanks to the generosity of the San Juan Diego Church Community for agreeing to pay for the Memorial Wall. Memorial Wall Plaques are available to interested parishioners for a minimum donation or $100 or more. All funds raised will be used to pay for the Church Hall. Applications are available on the OLOG website.  
 
A note of thanks from The St. Vincent de Paul Society-St. Theresa`s Conference  
Thank you for the generosity of the parishioners and the Knights of Columbus for the Giving Tree 2020. We were able to purchase food vouchers for families in need. A special thanks to Mitchel LaRose for preparing the food baskets and Martin Deschamps for giving a helping hand.  
Your continued monetary support throughout the year is greatly appreciated.  
Thank you and May God bless you.  
   
Family Foundations Institute presents Men of Faith Conference, virtually, next Saturday, January 16^th from 9:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. A FREE VIRTUAL EVENT!  
Guest Speaker – Patrick Sullivan, founder of Evango, a Catholic media organization that meets the baptized where they are at while inspiring them to engage in the new evangelization. Register or learn more at famfi.ca/mof  
 
A note of thanks from St. Vincent de Paul - Most Precious Blood Conference.  
Thank you everyone at Most Precious Blood for their generous donations during the year and especially this Christmas.  Please remember us during this difficult time with your prayers and continued donations. We will always be there to serve those in need. Thank you and God Bless.  
 
A Note from Our Lady of Guadalupe St. Vincent DePaul  
The year 2020 proved to be a very challenging one, but with the prayerful and generous support of our fellow parishioners, and Faith in the Lord, we were able to assist those in need. In July, we moved into our room in the new hall which helped us and the Most Precious Blood Conference. We benefitted from the “Miracle Food Drive “, “Cans for a Cause”, and food donations from other groups. When Covid 19 lock-downs caused us to alter our shopping and delivery routines, we were able to give Food Gift Cards because of your generosity. The 2 Food banks assisted 146 families: servicing 251 adults and 163 children. 413 home visits were made. We begin the year 2021 facing the same challenges, continuing with our safety   protocols and fulfilling our mission to serve Christ in the poor with respect, love, justice and joy .Thanks to everyone for your support. OLOG SVDP Conference.  
 
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR OFFERTORY DONATIONS!  
(Masses are temporarily cancelled. Thank you everyone for dropping off your offertory donations in the mail or e-transferring them. Your kindness is very much appreciated)  

Saturday/Sunday January 2^nd /3^rd 2020 Offertory Collection.  
San Juan Diego                $60.00  
Sts. Cyril & Methodius      $730.00  
St. Theresa                       $775.00  
Our Lady of Guadalupe      
$ 3,040.00(offertory) + $100.00 (Building Fund) +$950.00 (Plaques) + $200.00 (SVDP)= $4,290.00  
Most Precious Blood          $3,096.00  
 
God Bless and please stay safe everyone!  
Father Greg  

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, 
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. 
I love You above all things, 
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally, 
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.