FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – February 8, 2026

Please, check out the Hungarian section (link at the bottom) as well, as some Hungarian related news or information may be found only there.

 RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.

TODAY’S MASS INTENTIONS:

9:00 AM Parishioners of St. Emeric Parish

11:00 AM Zsolt Dömötörffy, by Éva  Dömötörffy

MASS SCHEDULE & INTENTIONS FOR THE COMING WEEK:

FROM THE DESK OF FR. BONA: This week, on February 11, the memorial of Our Lady of Lourdes, we celebrate the World Day of the Sick. This day is a reminder not to forget our sick and suffering brothers and sisters and those who care for them. We offer prayers for their healing (both the physical and spiritual) and for their strength to persevere in carrying (at times) a heavy cross.

Pope John Paul II in 1984 wrote an encyclical Salvifici doloris (Salvific suffering) in which he spoke of suffering as an opportunity to join ourselves to the saving work of Redemption and thus to bring great meaning to our lives even in those very difficult moments.

Jesus Christ decided to redeem us through the Cross. With his bloody Passion, willingly offered for us as a sign of his deep love, He elevated human suffering by including it in the work of Redemption. By joining our suffering to that of Christ, we become sharers in this redemptive sufferings and power of Jesus Christ.

Some may ask, “How much of a difference does it make? Will it alleviate my pain?” It may not take away the physical pain, but it will give meaning and power to our suffering. For atheists, suffering is a dead-end street. They cannot make sense of it whatsoever. On the other hand, for us Christians, even if we do not understand fully why it is happening in our lives, we will know that God takes account of it and can actually use it for tremendous good. By joining our sufferings to that of Christ, we will let the Suffering Servant lead us more deeply into the purification and sanctification of our lives. Secondly, we begin to “work” with Him in the work of Redemption. Our suffering will not be wasted, but will then become a catalyst for immeasurable good in the world. Only after our passing we will fully see how many graces were offered to the world by Jesus Christ, how many conversions to the Faith took place, how many miracles were granted, in response to our uniting our heavy crosses with that of Christ. In fact, in such joining to the Suffering Christ, the sick become missioners, preachers and true workers in the Lord’s vineyard.

For this mysterious opportunity, two dispositions are required. First, on some level, we must accept the suffering (even if not originally willed). Second, we must offer our suffering to God as a sacrificial gift. This participation in the sufferings of Christ, is applicable not only to the major difficulties in life. Even the smallest of sufferings, if accepted and offered, can be great contributor to the spreading of the Kingdom of God (especially if it is done with great love). Let us ask for the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes to help us not to forget the redemptive value of suffering and then to live it out.

CATECHESIS: We will continue our catechetical meetings next Sunday, February 15. We will meet after 11AM Mass in our hall and will watch a short video or a presentation, followed by a Q&A. The plan is to keep it under half an hour. All of you are invited. This program is in Hungarian.

THE 2026 CATHOLIC CHARITIES APPEAL will take place next weekend (February 14-15) in our parish. The diocese is asking that we have an in-pew commitment process that weekend. This year’s appeal theme is “Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.” Your generous support will transform the lives of others, to offer dignity, possibilities and companionship to those who are most vulnerable.

LAST COLLECTIONS: JANUARY 25: Sunday Collection: $517; Maintenance: $10. FEBRUARY 1: Sunday Collection: $1,566; Initial Offering (for envelopes): $2; Maintenance: $3,510; Boiler cost offset: $370; In loving memory of Clara Thurner: $100. May God reward your generosity in supporting the church. Thank you for sending in your donations by mail or using our website https://stemeric.com/donations/.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE SICK, especially for Bev Kimar, Teréz Kalász, Lajos Boday, Márta Takács, Kathy Szabó, Alex Szaday, Virginia Kachmar, Margaret Falk, Mária Hokky, and Balázs Bedy.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE DECEASED, especially for Ronald Alexander Vanyur. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

THIS SUNDAY the 11:00 AM Mass from St. Emeric church will be livestreamed at https://www.facebook.com/saintemeric/

LET US PRAY THREE HAIL MARYS FOR OUR PARISH EVERY DAY!

Ez a bejegyzés olvasható Magyar (Hungarian) nyelven is.