Mass Schedule – Epiphany II (January 17, 2016)
18, Feria
19, Feria
20, SS. Fabian & Sebastian, M
21, St. Agnes, VM
22, SS. Vincent & Anastasius, M
23 Feria
+ Wednesday Agape & Christian Education for all ages is into the Epiphany term and will meet this Wednesday, January 20, 2016. We will begin serving the meal at 5:45 and after a time fellowship and classes for all age groups. All blessings!
+ Fabian was Bishop of Rome for 14 years. He organized the city of Rome into parishes and appointed scribes to record the lives of the martyrs for posterity. When the Emperor Decius began a persecution of Christians, probably the first one to be waged simultaneously in all parts of the Empire, Fabian was one of the first to be put to death, setting a courageous example for others. His tombstone, with the inscription dimly visible, can still be seen at Rome.
+ Agnes is a Christian martyr who died at Rome around 304 in the persecution of Diocletian which was the last and fiercest of the persecutions of Christianity by the Roman emperors. The anniversary of her martyrdom is observed on 21 January. Her name means “pure” in Greek and “lamb” in Latin. She is said to have been only about twelve or thirteen when she died, and her relics are in St Agnes’ Church in Rome and they back up the assertion. It is said that her execution shocked many Romans and helped bring an end to the persecutions. Some said, “It is contrary to Roman law to put a virgin to death. Our leaders say that it is necessary to kill Christians in order to preserve the old Roman ways: but they are themselves scorning those ways in the process.” Others said, “Do young girls constitute such a threat to Rome that it is necessary to kill them?” Others said, “If this religion can enable a twelve-year-old girl to meet death without fear, it is worthy of our attention.”
+ St. Vincent, Deacon & Martyr – Almost all that is certainly known about St. Vincent, the first Spanish martyr, is that he was brought to trial along with his bishop, the aged and Valerius, and that since Valerius had a speech impediment, Vincent spoke for both of them. His fearless manner so angered the governor that Vincent was tortured and killed, though his bishop was only exiled.
+ All Saints Men’s Group will meets each Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. in undercroft.
+ Our Monday Morning Bible Study is also into its Epiphany term. The Bible study meets each Monday morning at 10:00 a.m. For further information contact Priscilla King at kingplk@gmail.com.
+ The Holy Communion is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 12:15 p.m.
+All Saints parishioner may obtain a Mass card from the Church office. A Mass card is a greeting card given to someone to inform him or her that a deceased loved one or friend was remembered and prayed for at a weekly Mass. It is a specifically Christian way to express one’s love. Call Julie McDermott at the Church office (434-979-2842) and she will help you fill out the form. The celebrant will sign the card and we will mail it from the Church to the family of the loved one.