GOSPEL:  Mark 1:21-28
They went as far as Capernaum, and at once on the Sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority. And at once in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit, and he shouted, 'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.' But Jesus rebuked it saying, 'Be quiet! Come out of him!' And the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him. The people were so astonished that they started asking one another what it all meant, saying, 'Here is a teaching that is new, and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him.' And his reputation at once spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.


REFLECTION
This week, Jesus and His disciples are in Capernaum.  As was His custom, Jesus went to the synagogue and began to teach. His listeners were amazed at his teaching. Jesus taught with authority, unlike the scribes. In the synagogue was a man who had an unclean spirit. When the man saw Jesus, the unclean spirit within him cried out asking Jesus what His purpose was. Immediately, this unclean spirit had recognized Jesus as the “Holy One.” 

Jesus rebuked the spirit and instructed it to be come out of the man and the spirit instantly obeyed. All who witnessed this event were amazed at Jesus’ power to heal and his ability to release unclean spirits.  Immediately, word began to spread of Jesus’ wondrous powers. His fame spread throughout all of Judea. 

Mark does not say that the witnesses of the healing believed in Jesus. Yes, they were astonished by his power to heal, but did they listen to His Word? Did they recognize Him as the “Christ?”  Did they decide to follow Jesus or did they simply listen and then go home and talk about Him? Did thoughts of Jesus and His preaching stay with them or did they simply go back to their daily routine? 

Do we truly recognize Jesus as the Christ?  Do we know Jesus personally?  Do we have a relationship with Him or is He simply a figure in the Gospels? Jesus is at work in our lives, though most likely not in as dramatic a way as was depicted in this passage. Jesus is healing us even if we don’t see it. Jesus is gracing us with all we need. Today may we look for Jesus as we move through our day. Jesus is with us! (Sr Kristine Anne Harpenau).

THE YEAR OF ST JOSEPH
With the Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (“With a Father’s Heart”), Pope Francis recalls the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” from the 8th December 2020, to 8th December 2021. 

St. Joseph was the husband of Mary. We do not know much about him; however, what has been written regarding his life reveals to us that he was a faithful and prayerful man who loved and trusted God very much. He is honoured and respected as a saint, for he responded to the call of God in the unfolding plan of salvation for all human kind. 

St Joseph will be a focus throughout our school this year. 

WELCOME
We welcome Fr Peter My to our parish. Father will be working closely with our school community this year and we look forward to his leadership and spiritual guidance. We also welcome all families back for 2021 and look forward to an exciting year celebrating our faith together. 


God Bless,
Warren Ziebowski
Religious Education Coordinator