News - January 2020 RSS Feed

This period in the Church’s year begins the Monday after the Sunday feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It’s called “ordinary” from the Latin word Ordo meaning “order”, because the weeks are numbered in sequential order – 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. The priest’s vestments are green. Usually, at this same time, our church’s Christmas decorations come down and we all have returned to a regular home, work, and school schedule. Ordinary Time, however, is not at all plain and simple. On the contrary, week after week, we see all facets of Christ’s life, a change from celebrating and delving into one aspect, His birth, as we did at Christmas. What could be ordinary about exploring the full sweep of Christ’s works and teachings? The green of Ordinary Time, like the green of nature, also encourages us to grow and mature in our faith, and as the color of hope, to anticipate the gifts of God’s kingdom. In a few weeks, Ordinary Time gives way to Lent. We return to Ordinary time after Pentecost.

Have you ever wondered what happens to the donations placed within the Christmas Angel who sits at the very edge of the Manger scene here at the Cathedral of St. Joseph?  I would like to share one of the blessings which came from that Christmas Angel. Several months ago, we began working with a Joseph’s House visitor who was homeless, living in a local shelter.  This person desperately wanted to work and get off the street. We have built a relationship and the Lord has blessed the help we were able to give. Through hard work and determination, this person has recently found a job, left the shelter and made arrangements for more stable, temporary housing.  One of the greatest challenges this visitor finds to moving forward is transportation; the new job is in Burlington and the temporary housing is in Shelburne. Often without the availability of a Bus Pass, the trip to work is on foot. Through the generous Christmas donations, held so secretly by the Christmas Angel, I was able to purchase a monthly Bus Pass for the above visitor, enabling this person to continue the journey forward!  With your help and generosity, lives are being changed. ----- Lori Daudelin