Rembrandt (1609-1669)
Oil
Mauritshuis, The Hague 

Rembrandt does not shy away from painting mysterious, cavernous spaces. Jesus' parents come to the Jerusalem Temple, as the law required, to dedicate their newborn baby Jesus to God. 

Here, Mary and Joseph (still holding the two doves) watch rivetedly as Simeon recognizes the child as the long awaited Messiah. The divine light that floods Simeon appears to be shining from the child himself. The old man takes him in his arms and bursts into a song of praise recognized by the first two words of the Canticle (below) Nunc Dimittis which concludes Night Prayer: 

Giotto (1266-1337) 

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston 

Giotto depicts the moment when Simeon and the prophetess Anna holding a scroll of a prophecy (at the right) recognize the infant Jesus as the Savior. The Christ Child reaches across the altar towards his mother in a natural gesture. Giotto’s ability to depict emotion made him one of the most famous artists of his time. 

Jackie, the only child of Isabella Stewart and John Gardner died at two years of age. Isabella reacted by creating a permanent museum of the family's art collection. She personally placed the family's art collection in what has become the Isabella Gardner Stewart Museum in Boston. Her will stimulates no art work can be moved. If an art work should be moved, the entire collection is to be given to Harvard University and sold. 

Isabella placed Giotto's work "The Presentation of the Christ Child in the Temple" standing on a table, perpendicular to a window with good light for viewing. She had a chair placed as if a visitor could sit and contemplate the work. Interesting enough, she hung John Sargent's 1888 portrait of her watching the room as well as the precious moment in the life of Mary and Joseph when they heard Simeon and Anna announce the news of God among them. 

www.willinet.org 

Thank you to the students who participated in the special processions last weekend for Word of God Sunday.  Anica and Emmitt Mendel were part of the 4.30 procession, Sam Day Giarolo & Crystal Lawrence participated at 8.30, and Lucia & Sofia Constantine with Asher Lahey represented the students at the 10.30 Mass.

Fr Cyr appreciated the enthusiasm and interest demonstrated by the students especially when they shared their personal Bibles with him. Let us continue to follow Pope Francis and the motto for this jubilee year taken from the book of Psalms: "I hope in your Word" (Ps 119: 74) as an opportunity to grow in our knowledge and thirst for God's Holy Word.

 How wonderful it is to have so many young children worshipping with us. Children have a special relationship with God and that is why Jesus instructs his disciples and us that we must become like little children to enter the Kingdom of God. Not too long ago, I observed young Sebastian following his dad's example of making the sign of the cross on his forehead, his lips, and his heart before the reading of the gospel. This past week, I saw little Lillian take a step out of the pew into the aisle where she genuflected (with the right knee) and then proceeded to make the sign of the cross before returning to her seat.  Both of these children are not even two years old, but with consistent attendance with a parent or grandparent, they learn to make church their home and to pray with the community.  

Our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program (Sundays from 9.30 to 10.20) encourages children to explore the "sacred signs" of our Catholic Faith as they wonder about God. Enrollment in this program is open throughout the year and invites children to experience God in the atrium with special presentations and activities selected especially for them.    

This year, The Presentation of the Lord lands on a Sunday giving us all the opportunity to reflect on Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. This Feast comes 40 days after we have celebrated the joyful Nativity of the Lord. Now, we hear how Joseph and Mary bring to the temple for presentation to God as the first-born child, according to the law During the family's visit, two devoted individuals recognize Jesus as the one for whom Israel waits. Church tradition includes processions with candles and an opportunity to bless candles on that day, thus the name Candlemas. Allow your heart to be filled with the Light of Christ as we bless candles and share the blessing of light.

Candlemas promotes customs globally. There is a saying from Catalonia which echos our Ground Hog Day for weather prediction: Si la Candelera plora, l'hivern és fora; si la Candelera riu, l'hivern és viu ("If Candlemas cries, winter is gone; if Candlemas laughs, winter is alive")

This weekend and next, we will be highlighting the gift of healing which Jesus has passed on through many of his saints. As we invoke the intercession of Saint Blaise this weekend with the Blessing of the Throats and the Anointing of the Sick next weekend in conjunction with Our Lady of Lourdes, we call to mind those who bring healing and hope when we are in need. 

The Parish acknowledges the dedication of our Extraordinary Ministers who are often called to visit the sick in hospitals, nursing facilities, and at home with the Blessed Sacrament. We extend appreciation to Carol & Jeff Betti, Patty Bishop, Mick Blewitt, Al Chrosny, Donna Denelli-Hess, Maria Eugenia Immerman, David Kiley, Terry Lamb, Karyn O'Toole, Regina Quinn, Jackie Sedlock, Jeff Welch, and Stephanie Wood.

If you would like to consider this ministry, contact Karyn O'Toole at saintspatrickandraphaelfaith@gmail.com. If you know someone who would like Holy Communion brought to them, please contact the parish office at 413.458.4946.

Blaise, a physican, because of his outstanding holiness,
he became a bishop public acclamation: "We want Blaise!" 

Later, as a result of persecution, he was beheaded in Sebaste in Armenia in 316. 

After his death, Blaise was declared a saint - again, by public acclamation.

Medical websites list dozens of throat ailments,including the common cold, sleep apnea, and cancer. Sister Melannie Svoboda writes that as spiritual aware people, we can also include "spiritual ailments" that are associated with the throat: hurtful words, gossip, and lies. And, we need to consider how to take fruitful action against forces that result in some individuals being "voiceless".