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The Catholic Tradition of the Epiphany chalking of the doors

On the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord the family gathers to ask God’s blessing on their home and on those who live in or visit the home. It is an invitation for Jesus to be a daily guest in our home, our comings and goings, our conversations, our work and play, our joys and sorrows.

A traditional way of doing this is to use blessed chalk to write above the home’s entrance, 20 + C + M + B + 18. The letters C, M, B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They also abbreviate the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The “+” signs represent the cross and 2018 is the year.

Blessing of the Chalk (by the priest during Holy Mass) V. Our help is the name of the Lord: R. The maker of heaven and earth. V. The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in: R. From this time forth for evermore. Let us pray. Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of our home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Instructions for Blessing one’s Home

Using the blessed chalk blessed during Mass mark the lintel of your front door (or the door itself or front porch step) as follows:

20 + C + M + B + 18 while saying:

The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and seventeen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the new year. Amen.

Then offer the following prayer:

Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen “Chalking the door” is a way to celebrate and literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and God’s blessing of our lives and home. With time the chalk will fade. As it does we let the meaning

of the symbols written sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions the Latin words, Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.”

20 + C + M + B + 18

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St. James’, Kinross & St. Matthew’s, Auchtermuchty

In the Catholic Diocese of Dunkeld

Scottish Charity Number: SC001810

Parish Priest: Fr. Martin Pletts

Postal Address for both churches: 5 High Street, Kinross, KY13 8AW

St. Matthew’s Address: 4 Back Dykes, Auchtermuchty, KY14 7AB

E-Mail: Fr.MartinPletts@gmail.com

Landline: 01577 863329

Mobile: 07540534480

Parish Website: https://catholickinross.com

Parish Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/parishpriestkinross/

Diocese of Dunkeld Website: www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk

Last Week’s Collections:

St. James’ 31/12/17: £619.45

St. Matthew’s 31/12/17: £79.50

These figures do not include standing orders, only the collection taken up on Saturday/Sunday. Many thanks, as always, for your generosity. If you are a tax payer please consider signing-up for Gift Aid. For every £1.00 donated in the Gift Aid scheme the church can claim back an extra 25p.

Attendance at Christmas Masses:

St. Matthew’s Christmas Vigil Mass: 42

St. James’ 9.30a.m. Christmas Mass: 99

St. Matthew’s 11.30a.m. Christmas Mass: 30

Sanctuary Lamp Intentions: St. James’ - Parishioners’ Intentions. St. Matthew’s - Parishioners’ Intentions

Sunday 7th January, 2018

Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord - Year B

Divine Office - Volume I - from Tuesday week 1, Ordinary Time

Special Collection at

all Masses this

weekend for Justice

& Peace.

2 Times of Holy Mass & Confessions etc. ***Please be aware of any changes to the usual timetable***

St. James’ Kinross (KY13 8AW)

Mon. 8th Jan. Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Evening Prayer at 6.30p.m.

Confessions from 6.30p.m.

Holy Mass at 7.00p.m.

Prayer Group 8 - 10.00p.m.

The end of Christmastide

Tues. 9th Jan. Feria - 1st week in Ordinary Time Morning Prayer at 9.30a.m.

Confessions from 9.30a.m.

Holy Mass at 10.00a.m.

Wed. 10th Jan. Feria - 1st week in Ordinary Time Morning Prayer at 9.30a.m.

Confessions from 9.30a.m.

Holy Mass at 10.00a.m.

Tea/Coffee in hall after Mass

Thurs. 11th Jan. Feria - 1st week in Ordinary Time Morning Prayer at 9.30a.m.

Confessions from 9.30a.m.

Holy Mass at 10.00a.m.

Fri. 12th Jan. Feria - 1st week in Ordinary Time Morning Prayer at 9.30a.m.

Confessions from 9.30a.m.

Holy Mass at 10.00a.m.

Divine Mercy at 3.00p.m.

Sat. 13th Jan. Adoration and Confessions 9.30 - 10.30a.m.

Second Sunday of the Year - B Confessions from 6.30p.m.

Vigil Mass at 7.00p.m.

Sun. 14th Jan. Second Sunday of the Year - B Holy Mass at 9.30a.m.

St. Matthew’s, Auchtermuchty (KY14 7AB)

Sun. 14th Jan. Second Sunday of the Year - B Holy Mass at 11.30a.m.

Confessions after Mass

Kilgraston School, Bridge of Earn (PH2 9BQ)

Sun. 14th Jan. Second Sunday of the Year - B Holy Mass at 5.15p.m.

Confessions after Mass

V. Let us pray for Francis, the Pope. R. May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and may the Lord not hand him over to the power of his enemies.

V. May your hand be upon your holy servant. R. And upon your son whom you have anointed.

Let us pray. O God, the Pastor and Ruler of all the faithful, look down, in your mercy, upon your servant, Francis, whom you have appointed to preside over your Church; and grant, we beseech you, that both by word

and example, he may edify all those under his charge; so that, with the flock entrusted to him, he may arrive at length unto life everlasting. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

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A reading from the prophet Isaiah 60:1-6

Above you the glory of the Lord appears.

Psalm 71:1-2.7-8.10-13.R/.v.11

Response: All nations shall fall prostrate before you, O Lord.

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-3.5-6

It has now been revealed that pagans share the same inheritance.

Alleluia, alleluia!

We saw his star as it rose

and have come to do the Lord homage.

Alleluia!

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 2:1-12

We saw his star and have come to do the king homage.

This Sunday’s Readings from the Sacred Scriptures:

Please remember in your prayers:

The sick and housebound, especially: Mary O’Connor, Evie Pritchard, John Namyslo, John McNeely, Thomas MacPherson, Margaret Seymour, Electra Dallas, Mary Hamill, Matthew Edgson, Naomi & Andrew Carter, Jeanine Candy, Robert & Sylvia Peck, Denis Donovan, Neil, Patricia McKee, Sonny McAvoy, Ian Hazlett, Margaret Burns, Ann Lauraites, Stephen, Thomas Adamson, Bill Kerr, and Agnes Kenny. May God grant them His healing and strength. We also remember in our prayers our beloved dead, especially those who have died recently: Elizabeth Coll, Margaret Tobin, Bea McNaughton, Betty Reid, Roy Henshaw, Patricia Flattery, and those whose anniversaries occur around this time: John Quinn, Patrick Hampsey, Catherine Sherry, Rhoda Reilly. We pray, too, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory. May they rest in peace. Amen.

List of the Special Collections for 2018

Justice & Peace 7th January:-The Epiphany of the Lord

The African Missions 28th January:- 4th Sunday of the Year

Catholic Education Service 11th February:- 6th Sunday of the Year

The Sick & Retired Priests Fund 18th February:- 1st Sunday of Lent

Papal & Episcopal Charities (including SCIAF) 11th March:- 4th Sunday of Lent

Holy Places 30th March:- Good Friday

SCIAF Wee Boxes due to be returned

The Apostolate of Communications 13th May:- 7th Sunday of Easter

The Day for Life 20th May:- Pentecost

Peter’s Pence 1st July:- 13th Sunday of the Year

The Apostleship of the Sea 8th July:- 14th Sunday of the Year

Mensal Fund 5th August:- 18th Sunday of the Year

The Ecclesiastical Students Fund 16th September:- 24th Sunday of the Year

Mission Sunday 21st October:- 29th Sunday of the Year

Poor Mission Fund 2nd December:- 1st Sunday of Advent