WPC Topics of the Month 2011-12

January 24:  The Parable of A Friend at Midnight: Luke 11: 5-8

In the parable of A Friend at Midnight  we find Jesus stressing the importance of persistence in prayer.  Jesus told this parable in response to a request from the disciples to teach them how to pray.  In the Gospel of Luke this parable immediately follows Jesus teaching the Lord's Prayer. 

January 10:  Readings from the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1Samuel 3:3-10, 19/ 1 Cor. 6:13-15, 17-20 / John 1:35-42   The Theme for these readings is: Call us Lord and we will respond.  An overview of John's Gospel enables us to understand Jesus' words not just as an invitation to be with Him for a while, but as an invitation to believe in Him and to share His life.  We must be mindful that God calls us in many ways.  We must be listening for that invitation.

December 20:  An Evening With Our Lord in Adoration in Preparation for the Birth of Jesus.

WPC will offer a time of Adoration.  A time to meditate and pray in the presence of our Lord.  Adoration will be followed up with the Rosary.  We will pay special attention to the meditations, both visual and oral, of the Luminous Mysteries.                                                                                                                                              "What happiness do we not feel in the presence of God when we are alone at His feet?"  St John Vianney

December 06:  Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent

Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10, 11/ 1 Thess. 5:16-24/ John 1:6-8, 19-28 (8)    One of the purposes of this Gospel is to make clear what John is not.  He IS NOT The Light—NOT the Messiah—NOT Elijah—NOT The Prophet—NOT worthy to untie the thong of the Messiah’s sandal.  There is to be no mistake.  John's purpose was to point the way to Jesus.  He was to teach us to be on the look-out, to be watchful, not to miss Jesus as he walks among us.

November 22:  St. Damien Productions Presents "The Last Canticle of Saint Francis"

All are invited to come and share in this wonderful “one man play” showing at 6pm in the church.  Charley Baker has presented two other productions at Saint Patrick’s many years ago.  All who attended can testify to the wonderful experience Mr. Baker creates for his audience. This time he will give us a peek into the life of St. Francis as the Saint recounts his life in the last days of his life.

November 08:  The Word of the Lord:  Readings for the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31/ 1 Thess. 5:1-6/ Matthew 25:14-30 or 25:14-15, 19-21   This Gospel is the Parable of the Loaned Talents.  Our attention is immediately drawn to the third servant, the one given only one talent.  He seems to be an unfortunate man and he makes us uncomfortable.  Could it be because he reminds us of ourselves?  "I was afraid...."  Let us talk about it, join us.

October 25:  The Word of the Lord:  Parables and the Sunday Gospel      

 The Parable of the Wedding Feast: Matthew 22:1-14   One of the most important and joyous occasions in Jewish life was a wedding banquet. In telling this story Jesus is comparing the Kingdom of Heaven to a Wedding Feast.  As the king in the story invited everyone to the banquet, so too, God invites us all into His Kingdom.  But as in the parable, not all are willing to accept the invitation.  On October 25th WPC will be discussing the full meaning of this parable and its implications for us today.