St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

For much of the Christian world, the 6th of January is known as Epiphany. In our country, our Bishops have asked that we celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, so that as many Catholics as possible might celebrate the feast.

What is your memory of Epiphany? The word "Epiphany" is the English rendering of the Greek epiphania, (meaning manifestation of the Lord). The earliest celebration of the feast was in the Greek-speaking East (Constantinople), in the early 200's. The original intent of this Eastern feast was to remember the Baptism of the Lord. The Nativity of the Lord was often remembered on Epiphany as well. This remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord (and the Nativity) was held central to Christian faith, along with the solemn celebrations of Easter and Pentecost.

For much of the Christian world, the 6th of January is known as Epiphany. In our country, our Bishops have asked that we celebrate Epiphany on Sunday, so that as many Catholics as possible might celebrate the feast.

What is your memory of Epiphany? The word "Epiphany" is the English rendering of the Greek epiphania, (meaning manifestation of the Lord). The earliest celebration of the feast was in the Greek-speaking East (Constantinople), in the early 200's. The original intent of this Eastern feast was to remember the Baptism of the Lord. The Nativity of the Lord was often remembered on Epiphany as well. This remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord (and the Nativity) was held central to Christian faith, along with the solemn celebrations of Easter and Pentecost.

Epiphany was introduced to the Latin-speaking West (Rome) in the 300's; but in this introduction to the Latin part of the Church, the meaning of the feast was altered: from a remembrance of the Baptism of the Lord to one of the manifestation of Christ to the Gentile world, in the persons of the Magi (with the Baptism of the Lord and the wedding feast of Cana included as well). At times, this "Latinized" feast was known as theophania... the theophany of the Lord.

In 1955, as the spirit of renewal spread through the Catholic universities of Rome, the feast day of Epiphany was set for the 6th of January; and it was decided that the Sunday following Epiphany would become a solemn celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. This is what we Roman Catholics celebrate in 2008-9: the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), followed by a remembrance of the Magi (Epiphany), followed by the remembrance of His baptism (Baptism of the Lord).

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The 7th of January is the deadline for completing an application for service on our Pastoral Council, and getting the application to me. Please consider this call to service, for the greater glory of God and the health of our parish family.

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Finally, please make sure that you give yourself to prayer on Monday. The 5th of January is the feast day of our patron, St. John Neumann. We Roman Catholics believe in the fellowship of prayer, both in this life and the next. Please ask the gentle and humble soul of St. John Neumann to pray for our parish, that we may be renewed in spirit and serve as a beacon of light and love... for all.


AMDG

Msgr. David Talley

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