Wednesday, 2nd February, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.

Candles are blessed at Mass that day and will be available in Church afterwards.

Thursday is the Feast of St. Blaise. A physician before he became a bishop, he is venerated as patron of those who suffer from disease of the throat.

Using two blessed and unlighted candles you may like to bless the throats of your family members with the following words:

Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may God deliver you from all ailments of the throat and from every other illness. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May be an image of 2 people and text that says 'FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF THE LORD February 2nd'

Reflection

Following one’s vocation is a response from within to the needs outside us. A vocation meets the human needs of the world but with a motivation from within. We care for our children and grandchildren not just because they are sick or insecure, but because we love them. this love will move us out to help them in various situations. We find a call to be ‘people for others’ because our heart teaches us that with Jesus we are all brothers and sisters, and that God wants to save the world, and needs our help to do so. This is the Sunday we all pray that our particular vocation in life may become clear and may become stronger. God calls each of us to love God and love our neighbour. This is the first Christian calling at our Baptism; we then find the best way for each of us with our own particular set of gifts, talents and even weaknesses to live out that call to love. We think especially today of religious life and priesthood. There are needs for priests, sisters and brothers in most parts of the world. as a community in families and parishes we thank those who have given their lives in these vocations and pray they may increase.