Sunday's readings can be found online at 

IT'S ABOUT LIGHT(S) - Two of last Sunday’s readings referred to Zebulun and Naphtali. These were the first areas of Israel to be in the darkness of the Exile. They were conquered and the people taken away. So it’s very pointed that, as Isaiah predicted, these would be the first places to receive the light of the Savior. “The people in darkness have seen a great light. Upon those who dwelt in gloom, a light has shone.” If we feel darkness, we are to wait patiently and in faith until God reveals his light.

And, when you see the candles still in the windows of the rectory, they’re not leftover Christmas decorations. Candles have been used for ages as signs of welcome and warmth. I like to leave lights in the windows while it’s still dark in the early evening. As Easter approaches, so the sun’s light extends again.

Today’s feast is also a feast of light. Yes, it’s 40 days since Christmas, and since Feb. 2-the Presentation, ”Candlemas,” - falls on a Sunday, we get this wondrous feast when Mary and Joseph fulfilled the law by presenting their child at the temple, and learned more about him. The prophet Simeon immediately recognized him: “A light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel”. So with the Jews, he is our Savior too.

St. Paul had a great teaching last Sunday that bears repeating. He noticed people in the church assembly at Corinth dividing themselves by their allegiance to various humans—Paul, Apollos, Cephas. But in the church assembly we are there to praise and honor Christ. “Has Christ, then, been divided into parts?” No, he hasn’t. And in a turbulent time of national politics, we need to take care not to divide ourselves within the church assembly. We think and act in matters of government and politics when we have to; but when we come together to praise God, our allegiance is with him and his Son, not any human. That’s what we share with each other in the church assembly. This will be important as the rest of this year and beyond will be filled with these things.

-Fr. Tom

Student Art Show at Good Shepherd Gallery - several of our students have artwork on display starting this afternoon at the Good Shepherd Arts Center (252 S. Florissant Rd) in Ferguson. Come and view the beautiful work of their hands at the opening reception this evening, January 31, 4-6pm or during regular gallery hours through Feb. 22! 

https://goodshepherdarts.org/ 

The St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Athletic Association announces that Baseball, Softball, Track and Golf registration for the spring is now open.

Baseball and Softball registration will close on February 1st. After February 1st, registrations will be subject to team availability and a possible late fee. 

Track and Golf registration will remain open until March 1st. After March 1st, registrations will be subject to a possible late fee. 

Sign up at http://srpds.sportssignup.com/site/

On Monday, January 13, 2020, the parish council welcomed each parish ministry and organization to send one or two representatives to join us for a meeting of our Parish Commissions (Liturgy, Christian Formation, Service & Social, and Administration) at 7:30pm in the parish meeting rooms. Thanks to those who were able to attend - we got a good start on the "nuts and bolts" of the strategic planning, moving from strategic goals, to success indicators, to objectives!

Parish council will have its regular meeting on February 10th, and an action planning night is set for March 9, 2020 at 7:30pm in the parish meeting rooms. Stay tuned tot the bulletin and flocknotes for further details. By Easter, the parish council expects to have the Vision and Strategic Plan for St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish ready to present and move forward with the implementation phase with milestones set to achieve the next few years. Please continue to watch for updates in the bulletin, and contact a parish council member if you are interested in more information.

The Archdiocese of St. Louis has developed a new system for safe environment compliance called Prevent and Protect STL. Everyone ministering to minors and vulnerable adults (clergy, employees and volunteers) in the Archdiocese are required to register in the new system before December 31, 2020. This includes those new to service and those who are currently in service. For those who have already attended a Protecting God’s Children workshop, your previous training date will transfer to this new system. In addition to attending a live Protecting God’s Children workshop, all clergy, volunteers, and employees will register for an updated background screening, view two new online training modules on abuse reporting and the Code of Ethical Conduct, and agree to the updated Code of Ethical Conduct. Please go to www.preventandprotectstl.org to register and contact your parish Child Safety Coordinator: Mariellyn Hays, 314-837-3710 with any questions or for further assistance. PASSCODE NEEDED IS: stlprotect 

While our Word on Fire small faith sharing groups have ended for now (next round will begin in Lent!), all parishioners still have access to the Word on Fire video library to view full length videos and shorter programs from Bishop Barron's collection. If you would like to preview The Mass, which we will use as the focus of our Small Group Faith Sharing during Lent, click below to get started.

Our new principal, Dr. Mark Gilligan, is contributing a weekly message to the parish bulletin, we hope parishioners enjoy these regular updates.  You can also access the weekly school newsletter on MyParishApp under "Bulletins" - the school newsletters are posted with Friday dates and Parish Bulletins are Sunday dates.

Did you know that you can support our parish while you shop?  Use ShopwithScrip, Amazon Smile and Schnucks eScrip when you do your regular shopping and our parish will benefit!  Check our parish website for details

When you shop Amazon this Christmas season - use this link: smile.amazon.com/ch/43-0731519, AmazonSmile donates to St Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic Church!

Did you know that you can access the parish calendar on the website at https://www.strpdparish.org/calendar? Events and room reservations are listed here and can also be copied to your own Google Calendar.  

Also, check out the Events on our Parish Facebook Page! Like and share with your Facebook friends.  Click on "Interested" on all of our parish and community events (even those you aren't planning to attend yourself) - this will help your friends see all the great things happening at our parish and school.

To receive occasional text messages with important updates from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish, just add your mobile phone number to your flocknote profile.  The quickest way to do this is to send a text message to 85476 from your mobile phone and confirm your e-mail address with the link provided in response to your text message.  You can also log in to flocknote at https://new.flocknote.com/StRPD and click on "My Info" to update your mobile phone number or email address.   Click here for more information on updating your flocknote account. Send your questions to communication@strpdparish.org.

Download MyParish App (available in the app store on Apple and Android smartphones) and select St. Rose Philippine Duchesne for access to Daily Readings and Reflections and quick links to the parish bulletin.