CATHOLIC FAITH AT HOME RESOURCES

for our STELLA MARIS

Family of Parishes

including:

St. Thomas More, St. Bernadette,

St. Mary & St. Peter

January 14

Welcome to the online and free newsletter

--Catholic Faith At Home--

for all Stella Maris Parishioners!

It is scheduled to be delivered electronically every Friday

helping to prepare you for weekend masses and events.

Enjoy a variety of ways to strengthen and share your faith.

THE SURRENDER INITIATIVE

FOR STELLA MARIS FAMILY OF PARISHES

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2

AT ST. THOMAS MORE

Each year, on February 2, the Church celebrates the Feast of the

Presentation of the Lord — forty days after Christmas.

According to the Law of Moses, the firstborn male

was to be dedicated to the Lord.

So, in the Presentation, we see Joseph and Mary offering

Jesus to the Lord in the Temple.

It was an act of surrender.

So, it's fitting that Stella Maris is hosting

The Surrender Initiative on Feb. 2.

What is The Surrender Initiative?

Many of us have experienced the heartache of watching someone

we deeply care about drift away from the Church.

This separation often evokes feelings of sorrow and leaves us questioning,

“Could I have intervened more effectively?”

Some distance themselves because of misunderstandings

or painful experiences within the Church.

It's natural to feel unequipped to address these situations,

especially as the wider culture leans more towards secularization,

diminishing the allure of faith for many.

The Surrender Initiative presents an opportunity to come

together as the Body of Christ--to gather in the sacredness

of the Holy Mass, praying intentionally and dedicating

our Mass prayers and sacrifices for those we

love who are no longer practicing their faith.

As a final note, our Mass on Feb. 2 will be conducted via candlelight.

A darkened church lightened by hundreds of candles.

You can picture the scene.

But, why candles?

Why a celebration of light?

In the Temple, Mary handed the baby Jesus to a

holy old man named Simeon, who said that Jesus would be

"a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel."

So, holy Mass celebrated on Feb. 2 is a

celebration of light — signified by candles.

Thus, it attained the name "Candlemas" (lit. candle Mass).

Candlemas recalls that the light has come into the world (Dec. 25);

that it grows in brightness even now (Feb. 2)

and will ultimately destroy darkness and death

by its radiant beauty at the Easter vigil.(Mar.. 30)

Click the link below to watch Brad Bursa explain more:

WHY ATTEND THE SURRENDER INITIATIVE?

WHY CELEBRATE THE

HOLY NAME OF GOD?

The Ten Commandments begin with the

obligation to honor the name of God.

Sadly, today most people use the

name of the Lord as a curse

or “in vain” rather than to impart a blessing.

This month of January is dedicated

to the Holy Name of Jesus.

Click the link below to recall why we celebrate the name of God:

WHY WE CELEBRATE THE HOLY NAME OF JESUS

New Podcast:

Drawing Flame

The St. Paul Center is excited to announce

the release of their newest podcast:

Drawing Flame!

Hosted by Dr. Matthew Breuninger and Dr. Shane Owens,

professors at Franciscan University of Steubenville,

this exciting new podcast will feature spiritually enriching,

long-form conversations with premiere Catholic voices.

In the inaugural episode of Drawing Flame,

join to hear Fr. Boniface Hicks discuss "Finding Light in Personal Prayer."

A Benedictine priest, sought-after speaker, and author,

Fr. Boniface shares his profound encounter with the Holy Spirit

and the transformative impact it has had on his life.

Click below to watch the video:

FR. HICKS ENCOUNTER

BIBLE BASICS

WITH JOHN BERGSMA

In this episode, Dr. Bergsma summarizes the beginning

of the calendar, connecting Ordinary Time

with the Baptism of Our Lord.

Dr. Bergsma navigates through the Epiphany of Our Lord,

the Second to Fourth Sundays in Ordinary Time,

and the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children.

The importance of St. Paul’s Conversion on January 25th

is highlighted, emphasizing its impact on our continual conversion.

The episode wraps up with a Biblical Joke,

insightful answers to audience questions,

and a recap of liturgical living for January.

Click the link below to watch Dr. Bergsma's January Bible Basics:

BIBLE BASICS WITH JOHN BERGSMA

CALL FOR RENEWAL

IN THE CHURCH

Many men feel that something is missing.

They long for a fresh start, a way to break out of

bad habits, and a more meaningful life.

So thousands are banding together to do Exodus 90,

a 90-day journey to freedom through

prayer, asceticism, and fraternity.

Many started on January 1,

but there is no bad day to start renewing your life.

Click below to sign up for free:

START EXODUS 90

NOVENA PRAYERS

THE

SURRENDER

NOVENA

Begin the new year by surrendering to Jesus

all of your problems, stresses, worries, fears,

and anything else weighing you down.

The Surrender Novena is a popular devotion

that many Catholics participate in annually as a way

to begin anew with the coming of a brand new year.

STARTS: whenever you want

FEAST DAY: pray for nine days

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Click below to watch a video of the Surrender Novena.

THE SURRENDER NOVENA

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Click below to print a copy of the Surrender Novena:

PDF COPY OF SURRENDER NOVENA

RESPECT LIFE NOVENA

START: JANUARY 20

END: JANUARY 29

Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation

with splendor and beauty, and fashion

human lives in your image and likeness.

Awaken in every heart reverence for the

work of your hands, and renew among your people

a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the

Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

Amen

Concluding Prayer

Our Father

3 Hail Marys

Glory Be

SPECIAL PRAYERS

PRAYER FOR

ABIDING IN

JESUS' LOVE

Obeying the command of loving one another

is very beneficial for us.

First, we are happier when we love.

Secondly, it is easier to forgive those that we love.

When someone that we love hurts us,

it is easier not to be offended or hurt by their words and actions,

than when someone else does it.

The more we love people, the more we experience

the fullness of the joy of the Lord filling our hearts.

In loving others, we become more blessed and live happier lives.

PRAYER TO REMAIN IN JESUS' LOVE

Dear Lord, please fill me with Your love

so that I can love those that do not love me

and those who I do not like.

I cannot do it in my own strength,

but with You all things are possible.

Please help me obey Your commands,

grow in Your “agape” love and

live in obedience to You.

Help me abide in Your love so that

Your joy will remain in me,

and that my joy may be full.

I want to be Yours forever.

Amen.

For Peace in the Middle East

Click the link below for several prayers for Israel

and also a list of the names of the hostages!!

PRAYERS FOR ISRAEL AND HOSTAGES NAMES

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL

NEW WEEKLY INFO

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NEW DETAILS NOW AVAILABLE

The wait is over! A daily schedule for the National

Eucharistic Congress is live on our website.

You can now explore what this incredible

experience will look like day by day.

Preview the options for impact sessions in the morning

that speak to your particular vocation and mission.

Then, get excited for the dynamic revival sessions,

when the whole assembly will gather in Lucas Oil Stadium

to experience the power and love of Jesus.

These sessions—and the soon-to-be-announced

afternoon breakout sessions—

will be led by the expansive list of faithful speakers

who will join us in Indianapolis this summer.

Scroll through the updated schedule to

see many powerful opportunities for

encounters with Christ through prayer and the sacraments.

Click the link below for EVENT schedules:

EVENT SCHEDULES

Click the link below for IMPACT Sessions:

IMPACT SESSIONS

Click the link below for the SPEAKERS list:

SPEAKERS LIST

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Eucharist: True Vine of the Domestic Church

The Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter is the North American diocese

created in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI for

Catholics nurtured in the Anglican tradition.

Members of the diocese,

under the leadership of Bishop Steven Lopes,

have been producing a beautiful video series

as part of their celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival.

May the testimony of Christina and Joshua Nellis

inspire you and deepen your own understanding

of how important the Eucharist is for family life,

and the role the Eucharist should play in the domestic church.

Click below to watch their testimony:

TESTIMONY OF CHRISTINA AND JOSHUA

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In the Streets

Another major moment in the Revival:

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

one of the largest Eucharistic pilgrimages in history!

We will process with our Eucharistic Lord on 4 routes,

departing from our nation's north, south, east, and west edges.

These branches will meet in Indianapolis in July 2024

for the National Eucharistic Congress.

To see the four routes, and intercessor for each, click below:

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC PILGRIMAGE ROUTES

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If you see a link on your device's screen that says,

"View entire message”,

please click that link to continue seeing the entire newsletter.

REGISTRATION INFO FOR THE CONGRESS

WILL YOU BE THERE, TOO?

You can join us!

July, 2024

for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress.

Directly experience the fruits of your intercession and

see its impact around the country.

Click the link below to REGISTER:

REGISTRATION FOR 10TH

NATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONFERENCE

QUIZ! FOR THE WEEK

Why do we ring the bell three times at mass?

Scroll down to find the answer!

HUMOR

HIGHLIGHT

Are You an Athiest?

A young woman teacher explains to her class of

small children that she is an atheist.

She asks her class if they are atheists too.

Not really knowing what atheism is but wanting to be like their teacher,

their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks.

There is, however, one exception.

A little girl has not gone along with the crowd.

The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different.

"Because, I'm not an atheist."

Then, asks the teacher, "What are you?"

"I'm a Christian."

The teacher is a little perturbed now, her face slightly red.

She asks her why she is a Christian.

"Well, I was brought up knowing and loving Jesus.

My mom is a Christian, my dad is a Christian,

and my grand parents are too, so I am a Christian."

The teacher is now angry.

"That's no reason," she says loudly.

"What if your mom and your dad were fools?

And what if your grand parents were fools?

What would you be then?"

She paused, smiled and said,

"Oh, I guess that I'd be an atheist!"

GOSPEL READING REFLECTION

For January 14, 2024

2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Jn 1:35-42

TO REIGN IS TO SERVE

The Church began first as a family—the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Now, Jesus begins to bring in men, men who will become his Apostles, to build his Church with its hierarchal structure.

According to the Gospel of John, Andrew and John were followers of John the Baptist. John the Baptist gives these two disciples what seems to be a signal: He points out Jesus as the “Lamb of God.”

What would Lamb of God mean to them?
There was the paschal lamb, whose blood saved Israel from the final plague in Egypt (Ex 12). Jews were reminded of this lamb every Passover.
And there was also the mysterious suffering servant who was led like a lamb to the slaughter as an offering for sin (Is 53).

So, these two young men followed Jesus, who turned and asked them a question which was both an “ice breaker” and one of the most profound questions one person can ask another: “What are you looking for?”

It sounds as if Andrew and John don’t know what to reply, so one asks, “Where are you staying?” But if Andrew and John are disciples of John the Baptist, they must be looking, most of all, for the Messiah, God’s anointed one who will restore Israel.

So they stayed with him. We don’t know what Our Lord said or did but by the next day Andrew was able to go to his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah.”

When Andrew led Simon to Jesus, Jesus, whom John gave the mysterious title Lamb of God, gave Simon a mysterious name, Cephas, meaning rock. Simon and the other Apostles and disciples whom Christ gathered to himself would eventually learn that Simon Peter is the Rock on whom the Lord will build his Church.

SCOTT HAHN'S

MASS READINGS REFLECTION

Click the link below to hear Scott Hahn reflect on

the 2nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME:

" HEARING THE CALL"

REFLECTION ON THE SECOND

SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME BY DR. HAHN

ANSWER TO QUIZ

Why do we ring the bell

three times at mass?

Click below to watch for the answer:

WHY WE RING THREE BELLS

ST. THOMAS MORE WEBSITE LINKS

Faith Formation Activities & Events for every Month & Season

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BOOK

RECOMMENDATION

We need to be armed for battle!

At all times, and especially during these crazy times in this vale of tears,

we need to lay our foundation in Christ Jesus.

Spiritual reading helps us build and strengthen that foundation.

Order through your favorite book dealer.

This week's recommendation is:

Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter:

Finding Yourself in the Blessed Mother

Megan Madden

Our Blessed Mother has a heart filled with love for each of us.

On our spiritual journeys and in our everyday lives,

she lovingly desires to lead us closer to her Son.

Mary, Teach Me to Be Your Daughter: Finding Yourself in the Blessed Mother

leads Catholic women on an intimate journey into the life of Mary,

the Immaculate Mother of God,

and reflects on the ten principal virtues that she possessed.

With a unique view into Mary’s day-to-day life,

this book not only illuminates the profound virtues

that defined Mary’s character but also guides readers

on a path of practical application in their own lives.

We pray you will be excited to embark on purposeful

spiritual reading as a way to build a more prayer-filled,

Christ centered life.