Our Parish Mission — ‘Nuestra Senora de La Luz’ (Our Lady of the Light) is a community that comes together to model Jesus to all peoples by addressing physical concerns and spiritual matters, and to do as Jesus did, giving everything to bring people into a closer relationship with God, in celebration.

THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD READINGS: Isaiah 60: 1-6, Ephesians 3: 2-3, 5-6, Matt. 2: 1-12. PREAMBLE: To understand today’s message very well, we have to go back to the fall and rise of Jerusalem; Jerusalem was destroyed by the Babylonians 587 years before Christ. 50 years later, the Persians (people living in modern day Iran) conquered the Babylonians, and they allowed the Jews to return home. Their city and their homeland were still in shambles. Rebuilding was extremely difficult. Today’s prophet, whom we hear in our first reading, tries to encourage the people and assure them that Jerusalem would again be a great city. He sees Jerusalem becoming a centre of spirituality and light for the entire world. People would come from everywhere to visit Jerusalem and to be nourished by the spiritual light and life radiating from it. St. Matthew sees this vision fulfilled in the birth of Jesus and the coming of the magi. REFLECTION: WHEN GOD SAYS YES, NO BODY CAN SAY NO. We equally flash back to the history; We could remember that among many gods the Romans honoured, was Janus which was pictured in art as having two heads or two faces, front and back. It was the god of gates, responsible for entrance and exits. He could look in the two directions; past and the future. The month of January takes its name from Janus as it is the ending of the one year and the beginning of a new one. ( Cf. Janitor …Expl..). Now, the feast of epiphany comes along at a most fitting time, as it looks back to past when the prophets tell us that the glory of God shining on Jerusalem would shine out to the entire world and would draw people from all nations to walk by its light. It looks to the past promises of God to his people and the future fulfilments of his promises. Therefore, the coming of magi symbolises God’s opening a door for all nations, a door that would eventually lead to the kings and emperors adoring Jesus as Son of God. This child, who was born in an insignificant part of the Roman Empire, who spent only three years teaching and healing, handful of followers, in just 300 hundred years would claim millions of followers within a space of time. Our families have various Divine promises which will be fulfilled soon. Amen. Let us wait unto the Lord with deep faith, hope and love. Happy new year;- the year of Divine Favour. Jesus loves you, and so do I. —Rev. Marcel Okonkwo

Altar Servers (Carol Garcia) Jan. 4 - Raquel & Aurora

Jan. 5 - Gigi, Tony, Sonia

Jan. 11 - Dylan, Aurelio, Jake

Jan. 12 - Mariah, Eniola, Ovian

Church Cleaners: Olga Pena, If you can’t

make your assigned date, please trade

with someone else. If the Church is not

open, please call Carol Garcia or the

Parish Office.

Eucharistic Ministers of Holy Comm.

Jan. 4 - F. Shelland & B. May

Jan. 5 - I. French, F. Pacheco

V. Chelgren, J. Arredondo

Jan. 11 - B. & L. Shoaf

Jan. 12 - R. & D. Garmon,

J. Wiley, C. Klofonda

Nuestra Señora de La Luz

Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church

P.O. Box 236 La Luz, New Mexico 88337

(www.ourladyofthelight.org) Office: (575) 434 - 9460

Mon. – Thurs. (10:00 - 4:00pm) Pastor - Fr. Marcel Okonkwo

Deacon: Andy Weiss DRE: Alicia McAninch

Ministry to the Home Bound: Janice Gillen

Food Bank: 434-9460

Epiphany of the Lord January 5th, 2020

Sacrament of Reconciliation:

Saturdays: 3:00 – 3:30 pm

Weekend Masses:

Saturday Evening: 4:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am (Rosary recited before

Mass)

Weekday Masses:

Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday - 8:30 am

Communion Service - Monday & Wednesday

Eucharistic Adoration - Thursdays after

Mass.

Anointing of the Sick - 1st Friday of the

Month

Mass Intentions Sat: For Dick & Pat Antram by their children Sun: † Thomas Smith by his wife Bea Mon: Communion Service Tues: † Richard Gesting Wed: Communion Service Thurs: † For the Poor Souls in Purgatory Fri: For the sick of the Parish Sat: †For Bobby Silva by his family

Readers (Carol Garcia)

Jan. 4 - T. McGinn

Jan. 5 - H. Sanchez & D. Chelgren

Jan. 11 - C. McGinn

Jan. 12 - A. Mizerka & T. Wiley

Please pray for those serving in our military

Major Paul Weaver (USAF) Jeremiah Williams (USAF) Eric Gayso - (Army) SSgt. Eliza Granados (USAF) Tec. Sgt. Robert Seaburgh (USAF) Markie Campbell Raul Martinez Jr. (USAF) Capt. Amanda Armijo Katherine Agnew (Army) Larry McEntire - (Army) Iraq John Gill - USAF Andrew McLaughlin Clinton Caleb Muncy (Marines) Victor Baray (Marines)

Weekend Collections Christmas Collection

1,757.00 Regular collection

$2,647.66 Thank you for your

continued donations & support.

Please Pray for the Sick of the Parish

Father Marcel John Herrera Stella Herrera David Kellar Martha Kellar Bob Kellar Danny Lucero Andrea Silva Clara Silva John Clute Marie Black Lane Dokken Lucas Gaukler Tilly Telles Diane Lopez Stacy Miller Lisa Gutierrez Sandra Wilder Anthony Lopez Margaret Brabson Tommy Garcia Bill Gayso Frank Borunda Ricardo Gill

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00am - 4:00 pm - Or by appointment.

Closed on all major holidays. (575) 434-9460(www.ourladyof thelight.org)

Religious Education News We remind our parents that Religious Ed. Classes will not be held during the Alamogordo Public School Christmas Break. Classes will resume Jan. 7th. We would like to thank Fr. Marcel and our parish families for their continued support.

Parish Office Hours

Regular Parish Office hours will

resume on Jan. 6th.

Deacon Andy Presentations Rosary 6-7:30PM in the Church Monday, Jan 13. Demons & the Spiritual Life 6-7:30PM in the Church Tuesday, Jan 21. Breakfast, Faith & Football (men only) 8-11:30AM, Parish Hall Saturday, Feb 1. Watch movie My All American with discussion of living the faith as men. Ladies asked to make a breakfast item.

A Gift from Fr. Marcel & the Parish Please pick up a copy of the Matthew Kelly’s book ”Rediscover the Saints” from an usher or on the back table. Please take one copy per family.

Epiphany: The Magi came to

give homage to the king.

serving in our military

Clinton Caleb Muncy (Marines) Visit Our Website for Parish News, Events, & Photos!

http://www.ourladyofthelight.org

Our Lady of the Light Food Pantry

The Food Pantry will re-open on Tuesday, January 7th.

Here is a list of needed food items for this month:

Hot and cold cereal; Pasta sauce and pasta; Dried beans and rice;

Ramen noodles; Canned fruit and veggies; Potted meat and tuna;

Mac and cheese; Crackers; Canned soup; Peanut butter

Tooth paste; and Bath soap. We would like to sincerely thank all of

our Pantry Volunteers, parishioners and everyone who contributed

food items and gave monetary donations to the food pantry this

past year. God bless you all.

Regular Parish Office hours will

2020 Offering Envelopes 2020 Offering Envelopes are available on the back table of the church. The boxes of envelopes are labeled with the parishioner’s last name and will be arranged in alphabetical order. If you do not currently use offering envelopes, but would like too, please contact the Parish Office. We would like to thank parishioners for your donations and continued support.

Offering Statement Letters Parishioners wishing an Offering Statement Letter for 2019 may request one by signing the sign-up sheet on the back table of the church. An Offering Letter will be sent to you as requested . If you have questions, please call the Parish Office.

Prayer for Epiphany Dear Jesus, as You led the Three Kings to You by the light of a star, please draw us ever closer to You by the light of Faith. Help us to desire You as ardently as they did. Give us the grace to overcome all the obstacles that keep us far from You. May we, like them, have something to give You when we appear before You. — Amen