Helen Clarke writes: 

The Ilula Orphan Program, (IOP) is in the Iringa Region in Tanzania and was started in 1998 with one woman teacher, Berit Skaare, and five  students.  Today IOP has a Preschool, a High school, an orphanage  and there are now approximately 1600  children whose education is sponsored (170 in Luxembourg).

IOP supports the local community in Ilula, with sustainability projects, HIV/AIDS testing, Foster family program, and many more projects. Sunflower Montessori Crèche here in Luxembourg support IOP and are helping to fundraising for the much needed Primary School. Berit Skaare believes that the only way to eradicate poverty is through education.

It costs 120 Euros A YEAR to sponsor a Pre school child. If you would like to find out more about IOP please visit, www.ilulaorphanprogram.org and see the exhibition at the back of church this weekend. I have travelled to Ilula and volunteered for the past 3 years.  Every year I meet the children that I, my friends, family, some of our parish community sponsor. I have time to spend with them, to deliver letters, photos, gifts, to hug them and make the contact with their sponsor real. I am truly blessed to have been able to do this. I thank the European Parish, who for the past two years have allowed me to have a collection at the outdoor Mass. The donations have gone directly to the Primary School Fund.

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time year A

Readings: 

First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10 True religion shows itself in mercy to those who are in need

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 The whole focus of the faith and preaching of Paul is on Christ crucified, and on the power of God

Gospel: Matthew 5:13-16 The disciples of Christ must be seen and must make a difference to the world in which they live

Mass music for 9 February

Entry hymn:          Christ be our Light 883
Penitential rite:     sung, unaccompanied
Gloria: ‘clapping‘ 530
Alleluia: Lourdes
Offertory : One bread, one body 832
Holy, Holy, Holy: responsorial, unaccompanied
Acclamation:  responsorial, unaccompanied
Our Father: said
Lamb of God: Lourdes
Communion Music:  Instrumental tba
Communion Hymn: Pardon, peace (see leaflet)
Final Hymn: This little light of mine (see leaflet)

Sacristan 11:15 Mass The title sounds grand, but the duties are simple (and vital!). Each Sunday the French-language Mass finishes at 10:45/10:50, leaving us with a short time to prepare for our own Mass at 11:15. I am looking for helpers to get things ready — put out the missal, lectionary, chalices, cloths, gong etc etc. If you are able to perform this valuable service, even once in a while, please let me know via email. I will show you exactly what needs to be done, give you a check-list so you can remember it all. And if you are around at the end of Mass to help put everything away, this would be even better! Any questions, just ask. A practical way in which you can help our parish.

Fr Ed

From this Sunday, 9 February, we will be introducing an Offertory Procession at the 11:15 Mass. The event is quite simple, but the significance is profound: we bring bread and wine to the altar, symbolically offering to God the fruit of the earth and the work of human hands. God then, through the Holy Spirit, transforms the ordinary into the Body and Blood of his Son, Jesus. In our communion with Jesus, we are transformed by the power of God.

We are looking for volunteers each week to bring forward the bread and wine to the altar — a family can be any number from two to six (or more if needs be!). All the family has to do is collect the gifts of bread and wine from the table at the side of the church, wait at the back until the collectors are ready, and then come forward together, giving the gifts to the priest. If your family can sign up for a Sunday, maybe once or every couple of months, this would be a great service to our liturgy.

You can sign on the list at the back of church, or put any questions you have to me. Thank you in advance! Fr Ed

Blessing of Couples
In the Church’s calendar, 14 February is the Feast of Ss Cyril and Methodius, co-patrons of Europe, two brothers responsible for taking major initiatives in the evangelisation of Eastern Europe. At the same time, popularly in many cultures, 14 February is the Feast of S. Valentine, and is the feast of lovers: a romantic day when couples celebrate their love for each other. Taking account of the fact that we do not often celebrate, in general, loving, committed relationships, we will do so on Sunday 16 February, with a special blessing of couples. Come along with your loved one, and hear words of blessing, in the name of God who is love (1 John 4:8).