FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME FEBRUARY 7, 2021 - St. Paul Parish
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FIFTH SUNDAY IN
ORDINARY TIME
FEBRUARY 7, 2021
From the Detailed Rules for Monks by Saint Basil the Great, Bishop
How shall we repay the Lord for all his goodness to us?
What words can adequately describe God’s gifts? They are so numerous that they defy enumeration.
They are so great that any one of them demands our total gratitude in response. Yet even though we
cannot speak of it worthily, there is one gift which no thoughtful man can pass over in silence. God
fashioned man in his own image and likeness; he gave him knowledge of himself; he endowed him
with the ability to think which raised him above all living creatures; he permitted him to delight in the
unimaginable beauties of paradise, and gave him dominion over everything upon earth.
Then, when man was deceived by the serpent and fell into sin, which led to death and to all the
sufferings associated with death, God still did not forsake him. He first gave man the law to help him;
he set angels over him to guard him; he sent the prophets to denounce vice and to teach virtue; he restrained man’s evil
impulses by warnings and roused his desire for virtue by promises. Frequently, by way of warning, God showed him the
respective ends of virtue and of vice in the lives of other men. Moreover, when man continued in disobedience even after he
had done all this, God did not desert him.
No, we were not abandoned by the goodness of the Lord. Even the insult we offered to our Benefactor by despising his
gifts did not destroy his love for us. On the contrary, although we were dead, our Lord Jesus Christ restored us to life again,
and in a way even more amazing than the fact itself, for his state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God, but
emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave.
He bore our infirmities and endured our sorrows. He was wounded for our sake so that by his wounds we might be healed. He
redeemed us from the curse by becoming a curse for our sake, and he submitted to the most ignominious death in order to
exalt us to the life of glory. Nor was he content merely to summon us back from death to life; he also bestowed on us the
dignity of his own divine nature and prepared for us a place of eternal rest where there will be joy so intense as to surpass all
human imagination.
How, then, shall we repay the Lord for all his goodness to us? He is so good that he asks no recompense except our love: that
is the only payment he desires. To confess my personal feelings, when I reflect on all these blessings I am overcome by a kind
of dread and numbness at the very possibility of ceasing to love God and of bringing shame upon Christ because of my lack
of recollection and my preoccupation with trivialities.
BIBLE STUDY CORNER Reflections on Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Well aware that his particular case is by no means unique, Job
Bible Studies via Zoom or Skype applies general statements to his own predicament as no one
virtual meetings: can escape this struggle. However, as we know from
experience, not everyone strives in the same way as life on
1. Bible Timeline – Tuesday, 7:30pm earth is a warfare, and man’s days are spent under the burden
of work. No one escapes this law, not even the easygoing who
2. Letter to the Hebrews – Saturday:10:00am & 11:00am try to turn a deaf ear to it. They desert the ranks of Christ, and
then take up other battles to satisfy their laziness, their vanity,
3. Prophets – Saturday at 10:30 am or their petty ambitions. They become enslaved to their every
whim. Since to be in a state of struggle is part and parcel of the
4.No Greater Love – starts on Saturday, February 20 human condition, let us try to fulfill our obligations with
determination. Let us pray and work with good will, with
For info, call Chito 604-808-4129 or upright motives and with our sights set on what God wants.
Beth 604-231-9190 This way our longing for Love will be satisfied and we shall
progress along the path to sanctity, even if we find at the end
of the day that we still have a long way to go.
(St J. Escriva,"Friends of God", 217).
From the pastoral constitution on the Church in the modern world of the Second Vatican Council
The sanctity of marriage and the family
Husband and wife, by the covenant of marriage, are no longer two, but one flesh. By
their intimate union of persons and of actions they give mutual help and service to each
other, experience the meaning of their unity, and gain an ever deeper understanding of it
day by day.
This intimate union in the mutual self-giving of two persons, as well as the good of
the children, demands full fidelity from both, and an indissoluble unity between them.
Christ the Lord has abundantly blessed this richly complex love which springs from
the divine source of love and is founded on the model of his union with the Church.
In earlier times God met his people in a covenant of love and fidelity. So now the Savior of mankind, the Bridegroom of the
Church, meets Christian husbands and wives in the sacrament of matrimony. Further, he remains with them in order that, as
he loved the Church and gave himself up for her, so husband and wife may, in mutual self-giving, love each other with
perpetual fidelity.
True married love is caught up into God’s love; it is guided and enriched by the redeeming power of Christ and the saving
action of the Church, in order that the partners may be effectively led to God and receive help and strength in the sublime
responsibility of parenthood.
Christian partners are therefore strengthened, and as it were consecrated, by a special sacrament for the duties and the
dignity of their state. By the power of this sacrament they fulfill their obligations to each other and to their family and are
filled with the spirit of Christ. This spirit pervades their whole lives with faith, hope and love. Thus they promote their
own perfection and each other’s sanctification, and so contribute together to the greater glory of God.
Hence, with parents leading the way by example and family prayer, their children—indeed, all within the family circle—will
find it easier to make progress in natural virtues, in salvation and in holiness. Husband and wife, raised to the dignity and the
responsibility of parenthood, will be zealous in fulfilling their task as educators, especially in the sphere of religious
education, a task that is primarily their own.
Children, as active members of the family, contribute in their own way to the holiness of their parents. With the love of
grateful hearts, with loving respect and trust, they will return the generosity of their parents and will stand by them as true
sons and daughters when they meet with hardship and the loneliness of old age.
Stewardship Reflection: 2020 Donation Tax Receipts
February 7, 2021 - 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time (including Project Advance) can
“Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off be picked up at the parish office:
to a deserted place, where he prayed…He told them, ‘Let Mon. - Fri., 8:30am -4:30pm.
us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there
also. For this purpose have I come.’” - Mark 1:35, 38
In today’s Gospel reading we see a perfect example
of stewardship. Jesus gives His time to do all that
God wishes - healing the sick and preaching. But
before He begins, Jesus makes time to be alone with
God in prayer. It is through prayer, spending time
with God, that we find the strength to do what He
wishes us to do. Be sure to find time every day to be
with God.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OLD PALMS AT HOME,
Your 2021 envelopes can be picked up at PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DROP THEM OFF AT THE
PARISH OFFICE, MON. TO FRI., 8:30AM TO 4:30PM.
the Parish Office during office hours.
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YOUTH MINISTRY PREP: Parish Religious Education Program
Info: Jiggy @ 778-874-8569 In person PREP classes are suspended until at least
February 10, 2021. Teachers will be reaching out to parents
LIFE TEEN has gone virtual every week to check in and assign work as necessary.
with weekly Zoom nights! Contact Jiggy for the link.
If you have any questions, please contact Clay Imoo
Keep checking our social media for updates! (PREP Director) at clayimoo@shaw.ca.
www.instagram.com/stpaulslifeteen
www.facebook.com/StPaulsLT THIS WEEK
Today 2nd Collection for BC Catholic
Wednesday St. Scholastica, Virgin
ST. PAUL YOUNG ADULTS COMMUNITY Thursday World Day of the Sick
(SPYAC) WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
Info: Katherine Angustia at spyacteam@gmail.com
The ministry of Jesus to the sick is central to the life of the
www.facebook.com/groups/208926245900606/ Church. February 11 (Memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes)
highlights the healing ministry of the Church. It reminds us
www.instagram.com/spyacteam that service to the sick and suffering cannot be neglected. It
recognizes the great efforts of doctors, nurses, health care
institutions and pastoral care givers to restore health to those
SPIRIT PRE-TEEN MINISTRY afflicted with illness and disease.
Info: ministries. spirit@gmail.com
www.spirityouthministry.wordpress.com PRAYERS FOR THE SICK IN OUR PARISH
Garry Webb, Liliana Webb, Jacqueline Webb, Anne Egan,
www.instagram.com/stpauls.spirit/
Bertha Romero, Myrna Moffat, Simone Kreuder,
Peter Murtagh, Linda Fiore, Jaime Pestano. (Please notify
the parish office of any changes)
LIVESTREAM MASSES
SUNDAYS - 10:00AM
WEDNESDAYS - 8:00AM ⚠️ Email and Phone Text Fraud Warning
https://stpaulparish.ca/livestream
The Archdiocese has received multiple reports from
ACCESS TO THE PARISH OFFICE parishioners and priests who have fallen victim to a
If you need something from the office such as Mass recent Internet email phishing scam. Imposters pose as
cards, paperwork signed, parish registration, etc., please priests, using email addresses similar to those of
email us at parish.stpaulr@rcav.org or call 604-277-3213. our priests; they also send text messages from
Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm. numbers claiming to be from the priests’ phones. The
Most requests can be accomplished remotely. The office messages ask for personal donations, gift cards, and
staff is available and willing to assist you but as per other forms of financial assistance.
COVID-19 protocol, we want to limit our in-person Never respond to emails or text messages
contact. A mask is mandatory when visiting the office. requesting Google Play cards, iTunes cards, or
any other form of personal financial assistance,
INFANT BAPTISM COURSE even if it appears to be from a priest, deacon,
Classes for parents seeking baptism for their infants - religious, parish staff, or bishop. If you have any
please call the Convent at 604-275-2844. doubts, please call the parish office at 604-277-3213 or
email parish.stpaulr@rcav.org to verify.
Sunday Missals for sale ($5) in the parish SCHOOL CONNECTION
office, Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm.
A reminder that there is no school on Feb.
11th and 12th, while school staff attends
STAY CONNECTED/STAY INFORMED the annual Catholic Educators' Conference, as well
www.facebook.com/stpaulrichmond as there is no school on Feb. 15th due to the
www.instagram.ca/stpaulrichmond Family Day holiday.
www.beholdvancouver.org
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SAINT PAUL’S PRAYER CORNER SAINT PAUL’S POETRY CORNER
From the Beginning of Time
Jesus,
you have known us from the beginning of time,
you have known us in the depths of our dreams and
in the darkness of our shame,
you know us as your beloved.
Help us to own that core identity more and more in this
season of repentance and mercy.
Give us the rock-solid assurance of your unwavering
faith in us as we seek the same in you.
Amen.
- Author Unknown
Blessing to Magnetize True Love
May your life be filled with the blessings of love.
May the spiritual bond that unites you
with your soulmate draw your closer.
When you find one another, may your lives be enriched.
And may you be connected body, mind, heart and soul.
May your two lives soon be joined.
And May God bless your union in all ways.
- Catholic Online Prayers
Prayer For The Sick
Father of goodness and love, hear our prayers
For the sick members of our community and for all who
are in need.
Amid mental and physical suffering may they find
consolation in your healing presence.
Show your mercy as you close wounds, cure illness,
make broken bodies whole and free downcast spirits. St. John of the Cross
May these special people find lasting health and
deliverance, and so join us in thanking you for all your
gifts.
We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who
believed. Amen.
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The purpose of Lent is to be a season of
fasting, self-denial, Christian growth,
penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent,
which comes from the Teutonic (Germanic)
word for springtime, can be viewed as a
spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking
spiritual inventory and then cleaning out
those things which hinder our corporate and
personal relationships with Jesus Christ and
our service to him.
SCHEDULE FOR ASH WEDNESDAY
COMMUNION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ASHES
1:00 – 2:00PM: THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARISH CENTRE
and THE ADORATION CHAPEL
4:30 – 5:30PM: THE ENTRANCE TO THE PARISH CENTRE
and THE ADORATION CHAPEL
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KID’S CORNER 7
https://watch.formed.org/bernadette-1
https://bit.ly/2YKm3zz
https://watch.formed.org/videos/st-bernadette-of-lourdes
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Type in your browser: formed.org/signup Find your Parish: St. Paul’s Richmond, 8251 St. Albans Road - press ENTER Click NEXT Type in your name Type in your email address Click SIGN UP You’re in! The next time you access Formed.org, choose SIGN IN 9
As the church marks World Day of the Sick on February 11, the Catholic Health
Association of BC encourages everyone to pray for those who suffer from illness and
for their caregivers. The theme of this year’s 29th World Day of Prayer for the Sick,
“You have but one teacher and you are all brothers” (Mt 23:8), calls for “a trust-
based relationship to guide care for the sick.” Jesus asks us to “stop and listen, to
establish a direct and personal relationship with others, to feel empathy and
compassion, and to let their suffering become our own as we seek to serve them.”
Pray with us on this day. To learn more about this day or to read the Pope’s full
message, visit www.chabc.bc.ca/world-day-of-the-sick
Please note: due to COVID-19 restrictions, our annual Mass for World Day of the
Sick has been cancelled.
PRAYERS FOR WORLD DAY OF THE SICK
Prayers of the Faithful
Response: Lord have mercy.
Bless all the sick and fill them with new hope and strength. Response
Relieve their pain. Response
Free them from sin and do not let them give way to temptation. Response
Sustain all the sick with your power. Response
Assist all who care for the sick. Response
Give life and health to our brothers and sisters who are ill. Response
Special Blessing for the Sick
Father in heaven, grant our brothers and sisters comfort in their suffering. When they are afraid, give them courage,
when afflicted, give them patience, when dejected, afford them hope, and when alone, assure them of the support of
your holy people. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Special Blessing for Caregivers
Lord Jesus, our Brother, you showed your love for the sick by your concern for them. Help us to see you and serve
you in the sick. Bless these men and women who are dedicated to helping and healing the sick. Guide them in their
labours and give them a greater share of your love. Reward their service by the peace and joy of your Holy Spirit and
by the everlasting happiness of heaven.
Lord Jesus, we praise you, for you are our Lord forever and ever. Amen.
10Vision
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life campaign with a vision to access God’s power through
prayer, fasting, and peaceful vigil to end abortion in Canada and around the world.
Mission
The mission of the campaign is to bring together the body of Christ in a spirit of unity during
a focused 40-day campaign of prayer, fasting, and peaceful activism, with the purpose of
repentance; to seek God’s favour to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a
culture of life, thus bringing an end to abortion in Canada.
Why 40 Days?
• Noah experienced transformation during 40 days of rain
• Moses was transformed by 40 days on Mount Sinai
• David was transformed by Goliath’s 40-day challenge
• Elijah was transformed when God gave him 40 days of strength from one meal
• Nineveh was transformed when God gave the city 40 days to remain faithful
• Jesus transformed the world following His 40 days in the desert
• The disciples were transformed after spending 40 days with Jesus following His
resurrection
Why we need 40 Days for Life in Canada!
• Canada is the only democratic country in the world where it is legal to abort a
baby throughout all 9 months of pregnancy.
• About 100,000 abortions are reported by hospitals every year in Canada. That’s about
300 babies a day or 11 babies per hour.
• Only public hospitals are required to report abortions performed, while private
abortion clinics are not required to report.
• Since decriminalization in 1969, more than 4 million babies have been aborted.
• 1 in 4 pregnancies ended in abortion (2017).
• 33% of reported abortions are repeat abortions.
• Abortion is used as back up birth control in 96% of the instances.
• More importantly, prayer & fasting is what God hears.
https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/vancouver-bc (for more info)
vancouver40days@gmail.com (email)
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