House Blessing
Throughout the liturgical year, the Catholic Church gives us traditions, feasts and celebrations to encourage us to live our faith with greater understanding of God and His love for us. Some of these traditions or feasts have been lost with generations gone by – while others are misunderstood. Let’s start with a New Year’s tradition, the house blessing. Have you ever seen doorways with chalk-written letters and numbers at the top? Have you wondered what it is and why it’s up there?
The blessing of your doorways is a beautiful practice of inviting God into your home; dedicating the year to Him, while asking for blessings on all who enter - those who live, visit and work there. The inscription is the year, combined with crosses and the letters C, M, and B, which carry a double meaning - the names of the three Kings who visited Jesus in His first home: Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar and an abbreviation of the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat, which means “May Christ bless the house”. It looks like this: 20+C+M+B+21.
To bless your home, take a packet this Sunday, January 24th, with the blessed chalk and follow the directions.

Candlemas
Forty days after Jesus’ birth, on February 2^nd, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the revelation of Jesus as the “Light of the World”. In accord with Jewish tradition, Joseph and Mary present Jesus in the Temple where they meet Simeon and Anna, who tell us of the great significance of this event. Simeon, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, knew he would not die without seeing the Messiah.  Recognizing Jesus, Simeon took Him in his arms and said, “Master, now You are dismissing Your servant in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to Your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32  

As Simeon blessed them, he revealed that suffering will precede the victory of the Light. He said to our Blessed Mother, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” Luke 2:34-35

These blessed candles symbolize the revelation of Jesus, the “Light of the World,” to the people. Take them home; and as you light them, pray that you and your family will make Christ present to those you meet in your daily lives. 

 

IMPORTANT REMINDER
 As we approach our one year anniversary of becoming Divine Mercy Parish, we will no longer be able to accept checks written out to Epiphany Church, Saint Mary of Mercy Church, or The Red Door, per the bank.
All checks must be payable to DIVINE MERCY PARISH. 
Please use the Memo Line to designate a specific ministry if you are not using a parish envelope.

SCAMMING ALERT: Scamming activity has increased since the stay at home restrictions have been put in place. Please be aware of a scamming email that is being sent, asking people to buy gift cards in the name of one of our priests. For your safety, never respond to these emails and remember to look at the email address. All of the priests of the diocese will typically use an email that is first initial, last name @ diopitt.org. Any emails from Father Chris Donley will either come from an @divinemercypgh or @diopitt email account.

*Please note that all information is subject to change daily.

FOR THE MOST UPDATED INFORMATION on the diocesan response to the coronavirus concerns please go to www.diopitt.org.

Read about the Diocese of Pittsburgh's response to COVID-19 here.
Reopening guide from the Diocese.

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