Remember, Christmas is a season that begins, not ends, on December 25th.  Jesus’ birthday is celebrated as an eight day Octave, where the Mass prayers and Liturgy of the Hours treat each day as if it was Christmas Day. The Christmas season ends on Monday January 9th, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

This weekend falls within the octave celebration of Jesus’ birth as we observe the Feast of the Holy Family at Nazareth.  Join us at Mass as we contemplate the hidden years of Jesus’ life in the family home where he grew up.  We pray that the intercession of the Holy Family will bless every home and every family in our parish and all across the world. 

The Holy Family Prayer

JESUS, Son of God and Son of Mary, bless our families. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.

MARY, Mother of Jesus and our Mother, nourish our families with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus, in all our sorrows and joys.

JOSEPH, foster-father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our families safe from harm. Help us in all times of discouragement or anxiety.

HOLY FAMILY OF NAZARETH, make our families one with you. Help us to be instruments of peace. Grant that love, strengthened by grace, may prove mightier than all the weaknesses and trials through which our families sometimes pass. May we always have God at the center of our hearts and homes until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.

Normally January 1st is a holy day of obligation celebrating Mary the Mother of God and the World Day of Prayer for Peace.  As it falls on a Monday to start 2024, the Bishops have lifted the obligation.  Though you are not required to do so, I invite and encourage you to attend our one Mass of the day at 10am to welcome the New Year and to ask God’s blessing upon it.  To our regular Monday Mass crowd, please notice the later start time and plan accordingly.   

With New Years Day being a holiday, there are some changes to the schedule that day:

The parish office will be closed Monday January 1st.

There is no Open Door Disciple Ministry this Monday.  The Church will be closed after Mass.  

The Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel WILL remain open for prayer. 

You can donate to Queens online, right up until 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 31st and have it applied to the 2023 tax year.

Thank you to all those who support Queens Church and School with your financial stewardship.  Tax statements for 2023 will be delivered in January of 2024.

Use the convenient link below for online giving:  

Tickets will be on sale after all Masses this weekend for  The Great 50/50 Raffle to benefit Jackson Catholic Schools.  Cash, check, credit and debit card accepted.  Each ticket is $100 and enrolls you in 11 drawings in 2024.  There are two winners per month who each stand to walk away with more than $2,000!  Tickets will be available after all weekend Masses at Queens until the 1st drawing.  You can get them during the week from any local parish or Catholic school office. 

You can’t win if you don’t play!   

Monday 3am.  We need someone willing to sacrifice some sleep every week and sign up to cover this.  Nothing we give up for God will ever come close to what we’ve been given by God!  Contact the parish office if you can fill this gap.  

‘PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM’ (Ps. 122:6).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com