In this weekend’s readings we hear God telling Jeremiah that he is being sent forth as a prophet to the nations and that his own people will fight against him but not prevail. In the Gospel, Jesus’ own townspeople try to kill him when he challenges their resistance to the notion that God reaches beyond the boundaries of Israel . In both cases both audiences are enraged enough to kill the prophet who challenges their limited understanding. However, the prophetic word always prevails.

      Prophets tend not to be very popular people. They get thrown into jail, ridiculed, beat-up, or even killed. The leaders of Jerusalem once had Jeremiah thrown into a cistern where he would have died had not someone intervened for him with the King. Today we hear how the people of Nazareth would have killed Jesus if he had not given them the slip.

      In both cases, people did not want to hear a message that God was sending through the prophets. Jeremiah had to tell the leaders that their time had run out because of their infidelity to the covenant. God was leaving them to their own devices, allowing Jerusalem to be destroyed by the Babylonians. Jesus confronts his own townspeople by admonishing them that they should be like that woman whom Elijah helped and the leper Elisha sent to wash in the Jordan . Both these Gentiles had faith that they should imitate. Nonetheless, the villagers only wanted a God who would wreak vengeance on the Gentiles; a God who only worked wonders for them and who was confined to the boundaries of Israel .

      There are times when we want to keep God in a little box of our own making, limiting God to the boundaries of the church building or maybe even to the tabernacle. That way we go and visit God on our terms, when we have time or need something; nevertheless, we hope that God will not bother us too much with troublesome demands. The God of Israel was never satisfied with confinement, even in something the size of a temple. And Jesus would not allow himself to be constricted in his own day concerning whom he associated, or ate with, or even touched. Tight quarters would not do, not THEN and especially once he was raised from the tomb!

      Let us pray that we will listen for and hear when God sends a challenging word to us, calling us to expand our boundaries and allow God to work in new and surprising ways. Lord let us be open to your Spirit who moves as the Spirit wills.

A FOND FAREWELL AND A WARM, HEARTY THANK YOU is extended to our organist, LOUIS GUERRA. On 2 January 2010 , Louie submitted his resignation having served Holy Child for 13 years of dedicated service. It certainly was a surprise to me and will be to many of our parishioners who enjoyed his eclectic presentation of sacred music as only Louie can play during the celebration of the Eucharist. On behalf of the whole parish, we all wish Louie our very best in this New Year as he explores the uncharted waters that lay before him. As was always said in the Navy when a sailor takes leave for another venture, we extend those sentiments to Louie:  “May God grant you Fair Winds and Following Seas !”

A Very Warm WELCOME goes out to JOANNE ROCCHINO who has come forward to offer her services as a substitute organist while the search begins for a new Director of Music. Joanne has been a member of Holy Child parish for a number of years, and is a happily married wife and mother of four children. Having studied piano for over 7 years, she had served as a church organist at the former St. Dominic’s Church in Donora , PA. Her mother is an accomplished Music Director/Organist at St. Ann ’s in Rostraver Township . Music is in her blood and she certainly “wowed” the congregation at the 9:30 Mass. Thank you for assisting us in this great time of need and we hope to experience more of your musical expertise at Holy Child!!

Parish Feast Day: February 2, 2010 is the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus and is our Parish Feast Day. This year it comes during the same week as Catholic Schools Week. There will be a special Mass at 10:00 AM with the School Children in honor of our feast day. Please know that the Mass is open to everyone from the parish! In addition, this day is also known as Candlemas Day. On this day, the Church blesses all the candles that will be used for liturgies throughout the year; in addition, candles will be blessed that can be taken and used in your homes. Feel free to take a box with you after the Mass.

S-O-U-P-E-R Bowl of Caring: Sunday, February 7th Holy Child Students will be at the doors of the church after all Masses. The students will be collecting donations for the Diocesan Chimbote Mission Project and cans of soup for the Bridgeville Area Food Bank. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Holy Child “Amigos For Life” relay for life team is holding a scrapbooking day this Saturday, February 6 from 11 AM till 11 PM in the Holy Child Catholic School Cafeteria. Admission is $25.00 per person and includes 12 hours of scrapbooking fun, snacks, beverages and dinner. For more information or to reserve a spot, please contact Lori.

Blood Drive : Bishop Canevin High School and the Central Blood Bank (as part of Catholic Schools Week) will host a Blood Drive on Tuesday, February 2 from 8 AM to 1:30 PM in the school’s gymnasium. This Blood Drive is open to the public. Walk-ins welcome or to schedule your life saving appointment, please contact David.

Family Bingo: St. Mary’s Altar Society, Cecil , PA will be sponsoring a Family Bingo on Sunday, February 14 in the church hall. Doors open at 1 PM . Early bird specials begin at 1:45 PM. Regular Bingo starts at 2 PM. Children may attend, accompanied by an adult. Admission is $5.00, which includes a packet of 13 games, 2 specials and coverall, extras are available. There will be a raffle basket, a lottery tree, 50/50, and candy jars (each child will guess the amount of candy). Lunch is available. For more information, please call Rosemary or the church office.

A Rachel’s Vineyard Weekend Retreat for post-abortion healing will be held on February 26-28, 2010 at the Spiritan Center in Bethel Park . To register or for more information, visit www.ccpgh.org, or call Toni. Registration deadline is February 19, 2010 .

Flea Market at Country Meadows Nursing Center, 3590 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA on February 3rd and 4th from 9 AM to 3:30 PM. For more information, please call Karen.

Pray For…Please remember in your prayers the sick, suffering, and housebound of our parish community, in particular: Donald & Sue Staley, Lou Dernosek, Lydia Pelino, Jacob Winlow, Dorothy McKeough, William & Mildred Brickner, Virginia Stankus Bob Sweeney, Susan Fischer, Eileen Belak, David Martin, Dino Trimble, Mariam Mollick, Bennett Huibregste, Jean McCaffrey, Veronica Ewing, Doris Camesi, Steven Page, Jack & Jane McCallough, Dorothy Medvid, Judy Trimmer, Jim Flannery, Patrick O’Brien, Lisa Cecere, Amanda Wyandt, Bethann Pelino, Celine Mullen, Greg Rosati, Mark Montagna, Steve Kobaso, Joan Knock, Pauline Medvid, Rosalie Wold, Evalyne Anderson, Amy Holeva, Bella Sullivan, Ted Krzywiecki, Earline Chappel Rose Emling, Michale Aiello, Bernie Hollinger and Louise Hiles. May God strengthen them in the midst of their struggles and allow them to know that they are spiritually connected with Holy Child through our prayers and intercessions.

In Christ We Live Forever: We extend our condolences to the families of James E. Mountain , Jr. and Blanche J. Notek who were buried from Holy Child Parish. May they rest in peace in the kingdom of God . May their families and friends know the faithfulness of Christ’s love.

Sunday Contributions For January 24, 2010 :

Regular Collection                                        $11,983.00

Add’l St. Anthony Schools Collection             $135.00

Haitian Relief Collection                                $9,656.99

The generosity of the parishioners of Holy Child to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Collection last Sunday was overwhelming! You all really came through for so worthy a cause. May God bless you for your selfless act of love to those who have experienced this unfortunate act of Mother Nature! Thank you also for your most generous contribution to Holy Child. We are blessed with such wonderful and giving people!