News - February 2021

History, Tradition, and Interpretation of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Icon

The Icon of Perpetual Help was painted on the isle of Crete by an unknown artist between the 14th and the 15th Century. A Cretan merchant in the 15th century stole from Crete, the icon taking it from a church where it had worked many miracles. He hid it among his wares and set out westward. It was only through Divine Providence that he survived a wild tempest and landed on solid ground. After about a year, he arrived in Rome with his stolen picture.

Seeing with God's Eyes

In 1 Samuel, God advises the prophet Samuel not to observe as men see but as God sees. He tells him to "look to the heart." This is the movement of this Sunday's Gospel reading. "Beware the scribes," Jesus advises. He points out their public greetings and "seats of honor," which stands in sharp contrast to their private greed. For the Jewish people of Jesus' day, honor resides at the top. Power and prestige created a high profile back then as it still does today. After his warning, Jesus turns his disciples' attention elsewhere: a poor widow. "She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had." While the scribes donated large sums to the temple, they did so "from their surplus wealth." This woman -- in her faith and devotion -- offers "her whole livelihood."

February Newsletter

Please continue to pray for the health and safety of our school community as we have welcomed more students to campus. The gate is open at 7:15 and class begins at 7:35 am. Students go to their hand washing stations, wash their hands, get their temperature taken, and get a token to enter class.

The Invitation to Love

"You are not far from the kingdom of God." What does it mean to be close to God's kingdom? In today's Gospel, Jesus is in a dialogue with teachers of the law. They know well the Law of Moses, with its complex codes, expectations, and punishments. What will Jesus say? "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength ... You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus effortlessly distills all the books of law into two commands. The simplicity of the Gospel message doesn't mean it's easy to follow. Far from it! The simplicity of the Gospel indicates its totality. Anything that requires the passions of our heart, the choice of our soul, the reason in our mind, or the strength of our body - all of this ought to be animated by love. As you can imagine, that means pretty much everything! The love of God and love of neighbor is meant to flow into our entire lives.

Items Used at Mass - Part 1

Faith and Family is a weekly column by Lani Bogart, in which she provides practical ways to connect the Sunday readings, especially the Gospel, to the lives of families. Lani oversees all things catechetical at Our Lady of Perpetual Help and co-leads the Committee to Serve Wives and Widows of Deacons for the Diocese of Phoenix.

Year of St. Joseph

With the Apostolic Letter "Patric corde" ("With a Father's Heart"), Pope Francis recalls the 150th Anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To mark the occasion, the Holy Father has proclaimed a "Year of Saint Joseph" from December 8, 2020 - December 8, 2021.

February is the Month of the Holy Family

Holy Father's Intentions for the Month February 2021 - Violence Against Women. We pray for women who are victims of violence, that they may be protected by society and have their sufferings considered and heeded.

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