Saint Casimir Parish
 

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MINISTRY OF PRAISE   St. Casimir Parish January, 2026 Almighty God, grant that with the help of St. Casimir’s intercession we may serve you in holiness and justice.

SAINT FOR JANUARY St. Angela Merici   (1474 -1540)   January 27th

St. Angela Merici,  was an Italian educator and founder of the Ursulines whose deep prayer life and relationship with the Lord bore the fruit of mystical encounters with God. She was born on March 21, 1474 in Desenzano, a small town on the shore of Lake Garda in Lombardy. At just 10-years-old, Angela and her older sister became orphans and went to live with their uncle in Salo. There they led a quiet and devout Catholic Christian life. After the untimely death of her sister, Angela was saddened by the fact the that she had not had the opportunity to receive her last Sacraments and was concerned for her sister's eternal salvation.  In a vision she learned that her sister was in heaven.           She was inspired by the Holy Spirit to dedicate her life to the Lord and to give her life in service to the church to help others grow close to him. At age 20 after her uncle had died, she returned to Desenzano, where she found that many girls there had no education and no hope.  She opened her home to them and began to teach the basics and how to pray and participate in the life of the church.  In a vision she was instructed to found an institution of women to devote their lives to religious training of young girls. She established a school in Desenzano and then Brescia.           Angela founded the Angela’s Company of St Ursula, or the Order of the Ursulines, the first order to work outside the cloister and the first teaching order of women in the Catholic Church.  Though they wore no special habit, took no formal vows, they did have a rule of Life and pledged to live a life of consecrated celibacy, poverty and obedience.  They opened schools and orphanages, and in 1544 Pope Paul III approved their Rule of Life and recognized them as a religious community.           Angela died on January 27, 1540 and was buried in the church of St. Afra in Brescia, Italy.  She was beautified on April 30, 1768 by Pope Clement XIII and canonized May 24, 1807 by Pope Pius VII. She is the patron saint of sickness, disabled and physically challenged people, and those grieving the loss of parents.  Saint Angela, you were not afraid of change. You did not let stereotypes keep you from serving. Help us to overcome our fear of change in order to follow God's call and allow others to follow theirs. Amen  (Catholic.org)       Epiphany          Have you ever walked past a door and seen what appears to be random letters and numbers written at the top? These letters and numbers actually have a great significance. On the feast of the Epiphany, many Catholics bless their homes by writing the letters C, M, and B and the numbers of the year on the top of their front door frame with chalk. This year, the sequence is: 20 + C + M + B + 25  This combination of letters and numbers holds a special meaning. The letters represent two different things: First, they stand for the names of the three wise men: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar. Secondly, they also represent the Latin blessing "Christus mansionem benedicat" which translates to “May Christ bless this house.” The crosses between each figure signify our salvation through Christ. Seven benefits of this tradition: Blessing and Protection, Faith Formation, Evangelization, Reminder of Christ's Presence, Unity with the Church, Continuity with Tradition, Prayer for Blessings. May God’s blessings be upon all our homes, may we continue to pray together, deepen our faith, and spread the word of God to all who enter.

                  

REFLECTION

The proclamation of the date of Easter and the other moveable feasts on Epiphany dates from a time when calendars were not readily available. It was necessary to make known the date of Easter in advance, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on its date. The number of Sundays that follow Epiphany, the date of Ash Wednesday, and the number of Sundays that follow Pentecost are all computed in relation to Easter.

        Although calendars now give the date of Easter and the other feasts in the liturgical year for many years in advance, the Epiphany proclamation still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year and the importance of the great mysteries of faith which are celebrated each year. (From the Roman Missal, Third Edition, ©2010.)

 On the solemnity of the Epiphany, the proclamation takes place after the Gospel, the homily or after the Prayer after Communion. The proclamation should be sung from the ambo by a deacon, cantor or a reader. In their absence, the celebrant or concelebrant or another priest may sing or proclaim it according to this formula:

 The Proclamation of Easter and the Moveable Feasts for the Year 2026

Know, dear brethren, (brothers and sisters,)
that, as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God’s mercy we announce to you also
 the joy of his Resurrection, who is our Savior. 

 On the eighteenth day of February will fall Ash Wednesday,
 and the beginning of the fast of the most sacred Lenten season. 

 On the fifth day of April you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,
the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

On the seventeenth day of May will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

On the twenty-fourth day of May, the feast of Pentecost.

 On the seventh day of June, the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. 

On the twenty-ninth day of November, the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen. 

USCCB.org