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St. Andrew the Apostle Friday Flash | January 14th, 2022

Friday Flash

January 14, 2022

How exciting that this week’s Scripture readings are ones so close to my heart and work here at St Andrew’s. Can you imagine having Jesus and the disciples at your wedding? It was in this context that the Lord performed his first miracle. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) in paragraph 1613 states, “The confirmation of the goodness of marriage and the proclamation that thenceforth marriage will be an efficacious sign of Christ’s presence.”

Efficacious means to produce its divinely intended effect. In other words, “Marriage in Christ becomes a sacrament- an image of the union of Christ and the Church which signifies and communicates grace.” (CCC1617)

Thus, it makes sense that Jesus, the Bridegroom, would want to single out and elevate marriage because it is the sign here on earth that most points to the union with the Bride, His Church. Christ gives each sacramental marriage the graces to succeed in lifelong fidelity, joy, perseverance, and fruitfulness.

Venerable (and soon to be a saint), Fulton J. Sheen was a modern-day speaker of truth. One of his many books called, Three to Get Married, is a favorite of mine. Sheen writes,

“The vocation to marriage is a vocation to happiness, which comes through holiness and sanctity. The love that sustains them at every step of the road is the Love that created them and witnessed their union. The sanctity of married life is not something that takes place alongside marriage, but by and through marriage.”

In short, when we live out our vows, we help each other grow in holiness. In learning to hold back our snarky comments, acting more selfless, and being willing to sacrifice for the sake of the other, we are becoming saints. Marriage is supposed to be a saint-making machine! Our dependence on God, our invitation that He be central in our marriage, is the unity outside of ourselves that holds us together no matter what. Alone, we are not enough for one another, and it is easy to get tired and bored. “What binds lover and beloved together on earth is an ideal outside themselves.” After all, we are flawed, selfish, and wounded human beings. We are going to disappoint and frustrate one another from time to time. “Selfishness is the enemy of love,” so it is vital to reach out to the source of all Love, to learn how to love, forgive, and grow in selflessness.

Marriage is hard. I know; we have been at it for over forty-two years. Yet, it is the most tremendous vocation too. Anything worth doing is going to be challenging. One learns to persevere, prioritize the spouse over self, and readily forgive. Prayer is critical to the life of our marriage. When we weren’t praying together, we were trudging by, trying to do all the heavy lifting ourselves until something more significant than we could handle occurred. When we intentionally began to pray together, inviting Christ into our marriage, something began to change. Something extraordinary began to happen. Christ came into our hearts in a way that allowed us to be more Christlike. There was increased peace, kindness, and love. “Authentic love of the other is accepted as a gift from God, a unique and irreplaceable gift.”

Mary is our model, “Scripture mentions her before her Son as being present at the marriage feast of Cana. In no better way could she reveal the necessity of sacrifice for happy married love than by gently provoking her Son to work His first miracle and thus prepare His Hour of sacrifice on the Cross. By implication, the married couple was to love by sacrificing themselves for one another, as she surrendered her Son for the love of the world.”

“If love does not climb, it falls.” Isn’t it time to invite Jesus to work miracles in your marriage?

- Barb Lishko,

Coordinator of Marriage Preparation and Adult Formation

Those couples planning to marry or who never married in the Catholic Church are invited to contact us in the Marriage Office. We are happy to answer questions and get you started. marriage@standrewchandler.com

Mark your calendars for Saturday April 2, 2022 from 9am -2pm for a mini marriage retreat. You Before Me, Always. More information to follow soon. Please take advantage of this great way to revive, revitalize, and rejuvenate your love for one another!

January 15th, 2022 will kick off our 2022 Baby Bottle Drive. Bottles will be available in the Church Lobby. Pick one up, fill with your donations and then return them to the receptacle located in the narthex.

Please fill your bottles and return them by February 20, 2022.

THIS Sunday, January 16th

from 7am to 1pm in room H and I

THIS Saturday January 15th and Sunday January 16th

After all Masses

THIS Sunday, January 16th

After the 7am and 10am Masses

The Knights of Columbus will be out in the courtyard selling tickets this weekend. Ultrasound Fundraiser is on Saturday, February 5th

Have you moved? Changed your phone number?

Please contact Mary at Finance@standrewchandler.com
To update your information

Public Masses are now offered

Monday - Saturday | 8:30am

Wednesday | 6:30pm

Saturday | 5:00pm

Sunday | 7:00am, 10:00am, 2:00pm

Daily Mass on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as Sunday Masses at 10:00am and 2:00pm are also streamed on Facebook

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Thank you for your Generosity!