Dear Friend,
This weekend, we arrive at tradition in the Church dating back centuries. On February, 2 ,at the midpoint between the Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox and coming exactly 40 days after Christmas, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas.
It is customary on this feast to have candles blessed in the Church. Of course this dates back to a time when there wasn't electricity in homes and candles were the only means of illuminating a room at night. Even as times have changed, the meaning has not. The Presentation of the Lord in the temple of Jerusalem recalls that Christ is the Light of the World and a beacon for all in troubled times.
Embracing this tradition, we will have candles blessed at all Masses this weekend and each family is invited to take a blessed candle home with them. The invitation is for your to take home and with it lit, take some time to pray. In it's glow, may you see and believe how Christ's light is shining still in and through you, even in the midst of darkness.
Key notifications for the week ahead at Saint Andrew Parish are listed below.