5th March
Second Sunday of Lent
This is my Son, listen to Him.
COLLECT PRAYER: O God, who have commanded us to listen to your beloved Son, be pleased, we pray, to nourish us inwardly by your word, that, with spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice to behold your glory. Through our Lord …
Readings:
Gen 12:1-4.
Ps 32:4-5,18-22.
Tim 1:8-10.
Gospel Acclamation:
Glory and praise to you, O Christ!
From the bright cloud the Father’s voice was heard:
‘This is my Son, the beloved. Listen to him.’
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain where they could be alone. There in their presence he was transfigured: his face shone like the sun and his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with him. Then Peter spoke to Jesus. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘it is wonderful for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ He was still speaking when suddenly a bright cloud covered them with shadow, and from the cloud there came a voice which said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; he enjoys my favour. Listen to him.’ When they heard this the disciples fell on their faces, overcome with fear. But Jesus came up and touched them. ‘Stand up,’ he said ‘do not be afraid.’ And when they raised their eyes they saw no one but only Jesus.
As they came down from the mountain Jesus gave them this order, ‘Tell no one about the vision until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.’
Meditation
The Transfiguration is a prayer event: In praying, Jesus is immersed in God, closely united to him, adhering his own human will to the loving will of the Father, and thus light invades him and appears visibly as the truth of his being: he is God, Light of Light, even his raiment becomes dazzling white. … The Transfiguration is an anticipation of the Resurrection, but this presupposes death. Jesus expresses his glory to the Apostles so that they may have the strength to face the scandal of the Cross and understand that it is necessary to pass through many tribulations in order to reach the Kingdom of God.
Pope Benedict XVI, Angelus, Feb. 2008
We Venerate the Saints
- Tue 7 … Ss. Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs
- Wed 8 … St. John of God, Religious
- Thu 9 … St. Frances of Rome, Religious
Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs … and Mothers.
In the early 3rd century, Christianity was banned under severe penalties in the whole Roman empire. In the persecution which ensued, five catechumens from Cartage, North Africa, were seized and cast into prison, and among them were Perpetua and Felicitas. Perpetua was a young wife from a noble pagan family whose father tried to induce her to apostatize by many means, but she remained steadfast in the faith, however, she still felt anxious for her infant child, who was allowed to be brought in by Perpetua’s mother, so to be nursed. The prisoners began having visions before they were condemned to death. Felicitas was eight months pregnant and apprehensive that she would not be permitted to suffer martyrdom, since Roman law forbade the execution of pregnant women, but after she gave birth to a girl a few days before the games, Felicitas was sentenced to death too. Her daughter was adopted by a Christian woman. On 7 March, the five confessors were led into the amphitheatre. At the demand of the pagan mob they were first scourged, then thrown to the beasts and finally, put to the sword. Their bodies were interred at Carthage. Felicity and Perpetua are mentioned in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I).
cf. Catholic Encyclopedia / Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua.
READINGS FOR NEXT SUNDAY (3rd of Lent)
- Exodus 17:3-7
- Psalm 94:1-2,6-9
- Romans 5:1-2,5-8
- John 4:5-42
ST. PAUL’S LENTEN ALMS
Our retiring collections throughout Lent will go to help our “Hogar San Anibal”, Home for Disabled Children in Peru. Please look for the box on the way out. Thank you for your prayers and support.
CATECHISM STUDY GROUP
Deepen your knowledge of the Catholic faith. Our next gathering will be on Friday 10 March, 6:30pm at the office. All are welcome!
ST. PATRICK’S LUNCH
Friday, 17 March 1pm at The Local in Chloraka. €20 Buffet lunch. Entertainment by Joe Mac. Contact Fr. Jim 99793169
FISH AND CHIPS AT NEO’S
Friday 31 March, 1:30pm, €15 includes first drink. Contact Fr. Jim.
LATIN PATRIARCHATE’S WEBSITE (LPJ)
Check out Patriarch Pierbattista’s Sunday reflections, news and info from our diocese of Jerusalem at lpj.org
CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your donations of non-perishable foods. For clothing / household item donations, you may drop them off at the priest house. For info, please contact Fr. Fernando.
COFFEE SHOP
Join us for some tea or coffee, shop bric a brac, enjoy community time. Volunteers needed, please contact Fr. Jim.
Mass Schedule for this week
- Mon, Tues and Thurs …….. 9 am at Agia Kyriaki.
- Wednesday ………… 12, preceded by Holy Hour.
- Fridays of Lent ………… Mass 11:30 followed by Stations of the Cross.
- Sat ……………………… 4 and 6pm AK. /// 6 pm Polis.
- Sun …………………… 10am (Latin), 11am (Polish), 12pm (English) in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:15 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
Maronite Mass: Sunday at 9 am, Info: Fr. Youakim 9981 4316.