Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
~ • Beginning on Christmas Eve, and over the following weeks of Christmastime,
Pope Francis began the celebration of the Jubilee Year 2025 by opening five
Holy Doors in Rome: at the four major Basilicas (St. Peter, St. Mary Major, St.
John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls) and in keeping with Pope
Francis’ heart for the marginalized, at a Roman prison. I am looking forward to
making a Jubilee Year pilgrimage to Rome and walking through the Holy
Doors next month, but even if you cannot get to Rome this year, you can still
make a pilgrimage, celebrate the Holy Year, and receive a plenary indulgence
by visiting one of the designated pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. There are nine
designated Jubilee Pilgrimage sites in the Archdiocese, including the Cathedral Basilica, the Old
Cathedral, the Pink Sisters. At the doors of Church, you will find information about the Jubilee Year,
the Pilgrimage sites in St. Louis, and Jubilee prayer cards. This Jubilee Year, may we all experience and
celebrate the mercy and love of God in a new way!
• This weekend Americans honor Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and we remember him as a model of
justice, peace, and service to others. May his memory and example continue to challenge all of us,
including our new Administration, to always be mindful of those least among us. Special thanks to all
those involved in our Living Justice Ministries who embody the spirit of MLK!
• The final week of January is Catholic Schools Week, a special time of celebration at our school. Next
Sunday, January 26, will be our Open House, which is not just a time for new families to come and
visit our school, but a chance for our whole parish to see and celebrate our school. All are welcome to
visit our school campus and buildings next Sunday, from after the 10:00am Mass until 2:00pm. Our
Open House theme this year is “Dragons Love Tacos”, and I’m sure you will find lots of dragons, lots
of love, and even tacos! Please join in the celebration of St. Margaret of Scotland School next
weekend.
• To conclude Catholic Schools Week, our PTA is planning their annual Trivia Night for Saturday,
February 1, in the gym. This year’s theme is “All Things STL”. As we continue to celebrate our parish’s
125th anniversary year, we celebrate our fair city as well. I already have a table reserved, and I hope to
see many of you at the Trivia Night!
• Brother Dominick Jean, OP, has been called to the Diaconate and will be ordained a Deacon next February. Because the Ordination will be at the St. Dominic Priory, guests are limited, but Brother Dominick will assist and preach at Mass here at St. Margaret of Scotland the next day, Sunday, February 9, at 8:00am and 10:00am, and he hopes that many will come to celebrate with him then. Deacon Dominick will assist at St. Margaret over the next year as he continues his studies and preparation for
Ordination as a Priest, and we welcome his ministry and preaching among us. Let us pray for him and for all those in formation for the priesthood.
• Our Holy Father’s intention for this month of January is for the right to an education. Let us pray for migrants, refugees, and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected. We pray to the Lord!