THE STAR OFBETHLEHEM

Theunfolding of the storyof the Incarnationcontinues today asthe Church celebratesthe Epiphany. Thetale of the magi fromthe East is one of themost fascinating inall of scripture. It hasmuch to teach usabout what we cancome to expect, evenin circumstances andplaces that may seeminsignificant or small.Bethlehem was a tiny

town, what we might refer to today as a town without even onestop light. Yet it is over this seemingly insignificant place thatthe guiding star stops in its own search for the place where theSavior would be born. Too often we fail to recognize the factthat the star of Bethlehem comes to rest in our everyday lives,where we can experience God’s presence, manifested in evernew ways. Epiphany calls us to shake off our stupor andrecognize the One who comes to save us. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co., Inc.

READINGS FOR THE WEEK

Monday: Is 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38; Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10; Mt 3:13-17

Tuesday: Heb 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:21-28 or Heb 1:1-6 and 2:5-12; Ps 8:2ab, 5, 6-9; Mk 1:14-20 and 1:21-28

Wednesday: Heb 2:14-18; Ps 105:1-4, 6-9; Mk 1:29-39Thursday: Heb 3:7-14; Ps 95:6-11; Mk 1:40-45Friday: Heb 4:1-5, 11; Ps 78:3, 4bc, 6c-8; Mk 2:1-12Saturday: Heb 4:12-16; Ps 19:8-10, 15; Mk 2:13-17Sunday: Is 49:3, 5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-10; 1 Cor 1:1-3;

Jn 1:29-34

SAINTS AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES

Monday: The Baptism of the LordTuesday: First Week in Ordinary Time beginsFriday: St. HilarySaturday: Blessed Virgin Mary

SANCTUARY LIGHT

JANUARY 7TH - JANUARY 13TH

The Sanctuary Light at St. John will burn in memory of Charles Miller.The Sanctuary Light at Our Lady will burnin memory of Maude Williams.

IN SYMPATHY

Our Communities of Faith extend our sympathy andprayerful support for the familes of Larry Bellard,parishioner of SJB and husband of Joyce;and Bruce Ricuard, parishioner of SJB and husband ofGloria. May the Lord grant comfort and peace to thesefamilies and may they and all who sleep in Christ, find inHis presence light, happiness, and peace.

WELCOME TO THE PARISH

Welcome to our newest parishioners:David and Carol Brown in Zachary and Cleveland “Cleve” Patin in Clinton

EPIPHANY HOME BLESSING KIT

It has been a tradition in the Church to bless chalk at theMasses for Epiphany and then use the blessed chalk as partof blessing one’s home in the New Year. Prepared kits ofchalk, prayers and directions are available for your homeblessing. Please take one home today.

THE EPIPHANY January 8, 2017

Almost every year at Christmastime, you can find a

newspaper article or TV documentary about the star of

Bethlehem. Astronomers give various theories about whether the

magi saw a supernova, or a comet, or a conjunction of two or

more planets. But for us, the star has a deeper meaning.

In Matthew’s Gospel, light is used as a symbol of the

good news of Jesus coming into the world. That’s why verse 9 of

the Gospel has the image of the star preceding the wise men and

stopping over the house where Jesus was. By following the star,

they become followers of Christ. So what do the magi show us

about following Jesus? First, they take the initiative. They saw

the star, figured out what it meant, and made their journey. As

followers of Jesus, we can look for what needs to be done (in our

family, parish, or community) and do it.

Second, they expressed their faith in Jesus by the gifts

they brought: gold—a gift for a king, who is worthy to be followed;

frankincense—Jesus is worthy to be worshiped as Son of God;

and myrrh—Jesus becomes king by dying for us all. We can

express our faith in many ways. We can volunteer to help the

poor, the elderly, or the disabled. We can teach our children how

to pray and tell them about all that God has done for us.

Third, they were not afraid to take risks for Jesus. How

often do we take risks for the Lord, by openly speaking about our

faith, or giving God credit for the good that we do? Let the star of

Bethlehem remind us that Jesus is the star of our lives.

Tom Schmidt, Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co.

Solemn things of mystic meaning:Incense doth the God disclose;Gold a royal Child proclaimeth;Myrrh a future tomb foreshows.

--Roman Breviary, Epiphany; Prudentius, fourth century

Pray for our Military and their families

Marvin Ashford, Jr., Army Aaron Barr, USAFJames A. Benning, USMC Matthew Boyd, ArmyCody Castello, USMC Eugene Cazedessus, USMCLeLand Crochet, III, USMC Matthew Charlet Dart, USNChandler Derouen, Army Patrick Deslatte, USN Jacqueline Deslatte, USN Stephen DiLorenzo, ArmyAdam Foster, USN Thomas Foster, USNChristian Fuller, USAF Brad Gautreaux, USMCJ. Michael Head, USMC Joseph N. Jones, Jr., ArmySabrina Jones, LaNG Markus Kippers, USNDustin Knight, USN Joseph L.LeBlanc Jr., ArmyStanley Mays, USAF Andrew Metcalf, ArmyBen Gordon Morseth, USCG Gordon Newman, ArmyRobert Brett Parker, LaNG Brian Plauche, USAFAndrea Byrd Prosser, USCG Mike Prosser, USCGJesse B. Richard, Army Nicholas Richards, USNMichael Roberts, USCG James Rouchon, USMCJarrod Mason Sealey, USAF David Welch, LaNGGordon M. White, USAF Christopher Williston,USAF

LIFE IN THE LIGHTToday we are reminded that there is darkness in the world.There is evil. Herod is concerned with protecting his positionand his power. Jesus is concerned about protecting the poorand the powerless. Evil disguises itself as good. Jesus offershimself with no disguise or pretense. Evil always puts its self-interest first. Jesus always puts the poor, the afflicted, and thelowly first. The holidays are over and we return to OrdinaryTime. We return to our ordinary lives. This is the mostimportant time because it is during these ordinary days thatwe strengthen our understanding of the good, of Jesus, andour resolve to do good in a world where evil often seems toopowerful. The joy and the promise of Christmas are madereal in these ordinary days. This is the Epiphany.

WEEKLY COLLECTION 01/01/2017

St. John the BaptistIdentified Contributions (70 Families) $ 2,867.00Unidentified Contributions $ 393.00Regular / ONLINE Contributions (27) $ 1,340.00Solemnity of Mary (28) $ 1,965.00Building Maintenance (11) $ 790.00Building Maintenance / ONLINE (5) $ 180.00Youth Ministry (3) $ 220.002016 Christmas Giving Tree $ 100.00Legacy of Faith / Capital Camp (29) $ 10,105.00Legacy of Faith / ONLINE (25) $ 6,615.00CAMPAIGN TOTAL $ 6,239,619.06

Our Lady of AssumptionIdentified Contributions (14 Families) $ 3970.00Unidentified Contributions $ 336.00Regular / ONLINE Contributions (5) $ 2,350.00Solemnity of Mary (8) $ 186.20

✞ NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE ✞ ~ ✞

Sunday, January 8th The Epiphany of the Lord-6:30 am: Knights of Columbus Rosary-7:00 am: Mass-8:00 am: KofC Meeting-10:00 am: Rosary / Divine Mercy-11:00 am: Mass / Children’s Liturgy-5:00 pm: Lifeteen-OLA-9:00 am: Mass-10:00 am: Religious Ed Class #9Monday, January 9th -6:30 pm: Charismatic Prayer Group-6:30 pm: Scouts-7:00 pm: N.A. MeetingTuesday, January 10th -4:00 pm: Homeless Shelter-5:00 pm: Children’s Choir-5:30 pm: Youth Choir-6:00 pm: Adult Choir-OLA-6:30 pm: Mass-7:00 pm: Altar Society of OLAWednesday, January 11th -7:00 am: Mass-5:30 pm: Sr. Youth Night-5:30 pm: Confirmation Session IIIThursday, January 12th -7:30 am: Mass-6:30 pm: Men’s Club-7 pm: R.C.I.A.Friday, January 13th -7:30 am: Mass / Divine Mercy / Coffee & Biscuits-8:00 am: St. Vincent de PaulSaturday, January 14th -3:00 pm: Confessions-4:00 pm: MassSunday, January 15th Second Sunday in Ordinary Time-7:00 am: Mass / Quarterly Breakfast by Men’s Club-9:15 am: K-5th Religious Education Class-10:00 am: Rosary / Divine Mercy-11:00 am: Mass -5:00 pm: Edge-OLA-9:00 am: Mass

The Baptism of Jesus(Monday, January 9th) As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. Atthat moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of Goddescending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice fromheaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am wellpleased.”

Matthew 3:16-17

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY OF SJB

Our Fill-A-Truck drive for SVDP is Saturday, January 28, 2017.

Please begin saving gently usedclothes, household items, etc. Our goal is to fill 2 trucks.

PLEASE DO NOT bring your items to the church beforeJanuary 28th. We do not have space to keep it.

2017 - 25th, 50th, 65th or Greater Wedding Anniversary

Bishop Robert W. Muench will celebrate a special liturgyhonoring couples on their 25th, 50th, and 65th or greaterwedding anniversary in 2017. The families of thehonored couples are also invited to attend the liturgy andreception afterward in the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall.

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic ChurchSunday, February 12, 2016 at 3:00 p.m.

To register, please call St. John the Baptist/OurLady of Assumption parish office at 654-5778.

Baton Rouge Catholic Men’s Conference

A CALL TO BATTLEChallenging Every Man to Fight for Holiness

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Baton Rouge

February 11, 20177:30am - 4:00pm Vigil Mass

$50.00 Adults$25.00 StudentsOnline Registration or On-Site Registrationwww.MenOfTheImmaculata.com

Dynamic Speakers: Dr. Brant Pitre, Fr. MichaelChampagne, Sr. John Thomas, & Mark Hartfield.

Fellowship, All Day Adoration, Eucharistic Procession,Vendors & Exhibitions, Food by Chef John Folse

24 HOUR ADORATION

Please join us for our monthly24 Hours of Adoration beginning on Monday, Jan. 16th at 8am and ending on Tuesday, Jan. 17th at 8am.

During Eucharistic Adoration, we "watch and wait", we remain "silent" in His Presenceand open ourselves to His Graces which flow from theEucharist ... By worshiping the Eucharistic Jesus, webecome what God wants us to be!

Please contact the Religious Ed office to sign up; orcontact Suzanne Payne at suzanpayne@gmail.com.

CHURCH GUIDE BOOK & DIRECTORY

Does our Church database haveYOUR family membership recordcorrect?

It is time for us to update ourdatabase with any changes,additions, deletions that may have occurred in YOURfamily over the past year.

Have you changed your phone number? Have you moved? Are you preparing to move soon? Are all of your children under 18 recorded with YOURmembership record?

If you have not already informed the Church Office aboutchanges to your record, please let us know NOW so thatthe information in the Guide Book & Directory is correct.

We will go to print soon!

How to Be Married and Stay Engaged

A Marriage Enrichment Seminar with Dr. James Healy

Saturday, January 14, 2017 - 9 am to noonBishop Tracy Center Ballroom1800 S. Acadian Thrwy, Baton Rouge 70808

It takes three types of intimacy for a marriage to thrive.Happily, these are also the basis for our three Christianmarriage vows. In down to earth and sometimes humorousways, Dr. Healy will help couples discover again what ittakes to live out these vows fully and joyfully.Whether you are newly married or celebrating your fiftiethanniversary, struggling or flourishing, this day can be thenext step for YOUR marriage!

Contact the Office of Marriage and Family Lifeat 242-0323.