Asking and Receiving Magi saw a new star at its rising, but it would have taken them

months or even more than a year to reach Bethlehem. Thanks to some lowly shepherds, the news of our Savior’s birth started to travel right away.

Last year, in Sweden, the national tourism bureau launched the dial-a-Swede program. The phone number connected randomly to one of many ordinary, everyday people volunteering in the program. Within just weeks, they answered more than 197,000 calls from places all over the world!

Callers to Sweden didn’t hear a scripted sales pitch (Book your ticket! Explore the waterways of the Vikings!). Instead, they could find out about everyday life in Sweden, asking anything they wanted. (Do summer days of the midnight sun make dark winters worth it? Do you eat Swedish meatballs?)

In His earthly ministry, without a Web site, without tweeting or blogging, without phone apps or other modern media, Jesus spread the Gospel message. Word got around. When He made public appearances, people gathered by the thousands. Knowing the importance of one-to-one interaction, He made house calls, too.

The Lord invited ordinary people to help spread the Gospel message. Among the Twelve, the Lord’s volunteers included four commercial fishermen, a tax collector, and seven whose professions Scripture doesn’t tell us. Like the dial-a-Swede crew, the Disciples didn’t need any special qualifications in public relations. They didn’t have to worry about what to say. All they needed was a desire to share their way of life as followers of the Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Celebrating the Epiphany, we’re reminded that each of us has gifts to offer. As we carefully put away the Christmas decorations and begin Ordinary Time on the Church calendar, we realize anew that God works through us in our ordinary, everyday lives.

Heart of the Nation’s Sunday Mass reaches viewers nationwide on TV and worldwide on the Internet. I invite you to send a gift by mail or to dial-a-pledge by calling us toll-free at (855) 855-6277 to help spread the Word.

Faith As Close As Your TV

Monthly Bulletin January 2017

Announcements

Fr. Mark PayneChaplain

Change for

New York City TV Mass:

Mass is at 8:00 a.m. on WRNN

channel 48. For cable/

satellite time and channel

information, please visit www.

HeartoftheNation.org or call

toll-free (855) 855-6277.

World Day of Prayer:On January 23, 2017, the Catholic Church in the United States celebrates a Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children. Please join in praying for love of these little ones.

“Our Mom is 93 now and loves your program. Thank you for being on TV.”

~Cary

“My grandmother passed away. She was 95 years old and got up to watch the Mass on TV, until she became too sick. In her memory, I have decided to become a monthly contributor.”

~Gail

“I never like to miss Mass on Sunday but have been sick off & on this past year. That’s why I’m so grateful for your Mass on TV.”

~Adeline

Some Thoughts On Gifts and Epiphany Gold, frankincense, and myrrh served as typical gifts to royalty or even offerings

to deity in ancient times. All were very valuable. In the Old Testament, God had instructed Moses to use gold for the Ark of the Covenant, frankincense as an oblation, and myrrh in oil for anointing. The magi didn’t need a lot of time to mull over what gifts to give in homage as they prepared for their journey.

People in Biblical days believed that a new star signaled the birth of a future ruler. Scripture doesn’t tell us how the magi knew that the star they saw would lead them to the newborn King—the Christ destined to come into the world. Anyway, the magi set off.

To this day, people visiting kings or other dignitaries bring gifts. The President of the United States receives many—some practical, some pricey, and some priceless, at least in terms of originality.

For example, Queen Victoria gave President Rutherford B. Hayes a desk carved from wood

of the H.M.S. Resolute. The ship, ghost of a failed artic rescue attempt by the British and recovered by the U.S., had become a symbol of goodwill between the two countries.

Sometimes, our failed attempts lead to discovery—a real epiphany! We experience loss and yet find blessings from the Lord in His goodness.

In contrast to the Resolute desk, President John F. Kennedy once received a carved peach pit. The stone amazingly bore the Catholic President’s likeness, an eagle on a shield, an inscription, a portrayal of Saint Christopher, decoration, and the carver’s name.

Jesus taught us to give of our talents and our gifts. He wants us to give from the very seed of our being—His love planted within our hearts.

Like the magi, we seek the Lord and rejoice to find Him. We offer Him homage through our gifts as we continue to carve out our place in the world.

Fr. Tony ScannellChaplain

Monthly Donations Go Far During January, we celebrate the Solemnity of Mary,

the Holy Mother of God, and the Epiphany. Mary had welcomed the lowly shepherds, and she welcomed the magi. The Mother of God welcomes us whenever we seek the Lord and offer Him homage through the Holy Mass.

“The magi rejoiced when the star led them to the house where they found Jesus and Mary,” said Fr. Mark Payne, chaplain. “Offering gifts to the Lord expressed their desire to honor Him.”

As you begin this New Year, please consider pledging a monthly offering for the TV and online Mass. “Through your monthly pledge, you will experience the joy of giving homage to our Lord year round.”

A Receptive Heart Keeps The Door of Mercy Opened

“Mercy gives rise to joy, because our hearts are opened to the hope of a new life.” In the Apostolic Letter Misericordia et Misera (Mercy and Misery), Pope Francis appealed to the faithful to witness to the consoling certainty of God’s love and mercy.

In an Apostolic letter, a Pope exhorts the faithful on Church doctrine. Misericordia et Misera evokes the Gospel image of a woman caught in adultery, saved from stoning, and yet still in misery as she longed for forgiveness. The Lord, in His mercy, forgave her.

Pope Francis’ letter renewed the ability of priests to grant absolution for the grave sin of participating in abortion. Before the Year of Mercy, the penitents had to seek forgiveness through a bishop. There’s much more to the letter, though. The Year of Mercy has concluded, but Pope Francis reaffirmed the importance of emanating hope and joy among people beset by sadness, loneliness, and disappointing quick-fix promises.

During the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis gave special focus to the Holy Mass for the homebound. His Apostolic letter at the conclusion of that special year explains that prayers of the Eucharistic celebration continue to help us converse with the heart of our heavenly Father.

The Apostolic letter encourages communities of faith to devote one entire Sunday each year to making the Word of God better known and widespread. Pope Francis also set forth his idea for a World Day of the Poor on the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time every year as a day of activity and witness to mercy. Although Jesus acknowledged that the poor would always be with us, the Holy Father explained, individualism does not provide an excuse for indifference.

Marian Prayer For the New Year

Blessed Virgin Mary,

In this New Year’s beginning,Please join with me in prayerFor renewed hope in the Lord Jesus,Who loves beyond compare.

In your closeness to the Lord,Please ask that He bless meWith hope and grace that are His gifts,And with the strength I need.

In your maternal care,May the comfort that I findHelp me in greater faith to seek HimWith heart and soul and mind.

Epiphany PrayerLord Jesus,Who came as newborn SaviorTo dwell with us on Earth,In Your love, may I find favor,Hope, joy, and blessing through Your birth.Like the magi who once sawThe star at its rising,May I in wonder and in awe Follow the Light of Your love guiding. Amen.

Many of us ring in the New Year with a resolution or two. Here’s a list of possibilities:• Share your faith with others: By supporting the TV and online Mass, you will touch the hearts of many!• Order a free subscription to the Prayer and Worship Guide for yourself or someone you love: Each issue

includes large-print text for Sunday Mass, a message from Fr. Mark Payne, reflections on the daily Scripture readings, and seasonal prayers. Use the clip-out order form on page 4.

• Join Heart of the Nation’s Prayer Network: Include your prayers in the online prayer network at www.HeartoftheNation.org/prayer-intentions. (You’ll also find online rosary videos and other prayer resources when you visit our Web site.)

With gratitude, Heart of the Nation welcomes new members to the Circle of the Heart monthly giving club. As a member, you will be included in prayers placed before the altar for every Sunday TV Mass. To join, please mark the box on the enclosed envelope, and indicate the amount of your pledge. (If you need to change or cancel your pledge, just call, e-mail, or send a note to Heart of the Nation.) Thank you!

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Marguerite AndersonJudy AucoinJerome Bahr

Patricia BergmanMr. & Mrs. Thomas

BoenischJoseph Bonadonna

Mr. & Mrs. Joseph BruceHarriet Burgeson

Michael BurnsRoberta Butler

Simone CasgellarinRuth DelgadoArlie Diserly

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Joseph HunterMichaeline Jacobucci

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Pam JungDoris J. Kemp

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Maria LealJeanne LulyMarie Lynch

Nenita MedicieloMr. & Mrs. Ludger Mercier

Jeanne MoghadamMary Molek

Carolyn Noonan-LiddleMarcos Pena

Everardo Perez

Mass ScheduleJanuary 1, 2017 Mary, the Holy Mother of God

Archbishop JeromeListecki

January 8, 2017 Epiphany of the Lord Fr. Matthew Widder

January 15, 2017 Fr. Matthew Widder

January 22, 2017 Fr. Chuck HanelJanuary 29, 2017

Bishop Richard Sklba

Jean L. RaeAngie Robertson

Jan RoehrigPhyllis M. Roncoli

Mr. & Mrs. David RuizMartin Smith

Patricia SprankleKathleen Summers

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