Your Sunday Connection for January 10, 2021

Dear Friends,

We hope are well and staying safe. This week has been difficult as our nation saw the largest daily death toll to date from COVID-19 and we also witnessed an assault on the Capitol. It is not infrequent that the church responds to such crises with the words “we need prayer.”

While this is true, a resounding theme from Saint Andrew Parish’s pastoral leaders is not to confuse religious practice with magic. Prayer does not magically change things. Prayer should change us and lead us to right-relationship with God and with one another. This is what we need most of all. The invitation to prayer offered this week is not to dampen our memories by smudging away these or any tragedies. The call is to help us cultivate the resources from within that can hasten the coming of the reign of God.

And so… let us pray together, in person at Mass this Sunday, through this prayer resource (Your Sunday Connection) used with your household, or through our live stream of Mass.

Please make a reservation to join us for Mass at www.standrew.org/mass-reservations

Watch the live stream of Sunday Mass at www.standrew.org/Sundaymass

The remainder of this webpage is the Your Sunday Connection prayer guide for Sunday, January 10, 2021.

Opening Prayer

Almighty ever living God, who, when Christ had been baptized in the River Jordan and the Holy Spirit descended upon him, solemnly declared him your beloved Son, grant that your children by adoption reborn of water and the Holy Spirit, may always be well pleasing to you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

The Readings

Reading I Is 42:1-4, 6-7

Thus says the LORD: Here is my servant whom I uphold, my chosen one with whom I am pleased, upon whom I have put my spirit; he shall bring forth justice to the nations, not crying out, not shouting, not making his voice heard in the street. a bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench, until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands will wait for his teaching. I, the LORD, have called you for the victory of justice, I have grasped you by the hand; I formed you, and set you as a covenant of the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes of the blind, to bring out prisoners from confinement, and from the dungeon, those who live in darkness.

Reading II Acts 10:34-38

Peter proceeded to speak to those gathered in the house of Cornelius, saying: “In truth, I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.
You know the word that he sent to the Israelites as he proclaimed peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all, what has happened all over Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.”

Gospel Mk 1:7-11

This is what John the Baptist proclaimed: “One mightier than I is coming after me. I am not worthy to stoop and loosen the thongs of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” It happened in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. On coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit, like a dove, descending upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Homily

Please click on the video link below to watch the homily for this week.

The Prayers of the Faithful

For a restoration to respect and dialogue in our nation and for healing from the pain that both caused and resulted in the assault upon the Capitol this past week. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For the Church, that we may continue to fulfill Christ’s mission, welcoming all those who seek the Lord, baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For leaders around the world, that they may strive to bring forth justice to their nations and peace across their borders. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For those who are homeless and those who have difficulty affording adequate heat, that they may be kept safe and warm this winter. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For all of us, that we may be conscious of our call as baptized Christians to carry out Christ’s mission and serve others as he did. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For all who have been affected by COVID19, may God’s healing presence be comfort to them and bring health and well-being. We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

For the departed, who remain with us in our prayers and our memories, and for the promise of a joyful reunion, and especially for: our departed parishioners We pray to the Lord. LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

Submit Your Special Intentions

Sunday Offertory

Stewardship of Saint Andrew Parish is the responsibility of us all. Consistently throughout the year, we remind parishioners about stewarding the gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure to support the mission of Saint Andrew Parish.

During this pandemic, there are many urgent needs, among those needs are caring for the financial obligations of Saint Andrew Parish. If you do not regularly contribute electronically ether weekly or monthly, please consider making a Sunday Offering online through Give Central through the link below.

Give to the Sunday Offertory

Spiritual Communion

In many places in the world receiving Holy Communion is not possible. Catholics in these areas are encouraged to make “Spiritual Communion.” St.Teresa of Jesus wrote about this practice:

“When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you”

You can make Spiritual Communion by the bringing this prayer to your heart…

“My Jesus, I believe that you are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I long for you in my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though you have already come, I embrace you and unite myself entirely to you; never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.”

Closing Prayer

Nourished by this time of prayer, we humbly entreat your mercy O Lord, that, faithfully listening to your Only Begotten Son, we may be your children in name and in truth. AMEN.

Announcements

From the Cardinal

In light of this week’s violence at the Capitol Building in Washington DC. Cardinal Blase Cupich released a statement calling for and end to violence and restoration to the tradition of democratic dialogue. To read the statement, click here.

https://youtu.be/N1R81r8d8Uw

Live Stream Mass

In addition to Your Sunday Connection provided by Saint Andrew Parish, the Sunday 9:00am Mass will be live streamed. Join the broadcast.

Please click on the button below to see a copy of the Sunday Bulletin.

Click for Sunday Bulletin