Questions for reflection on the Scriptures for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time.

1) Questions on the Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: What is the situation? How does God describe Isaiah’s call? How does Isaiah respond? How does this reading relate to the Gospel today?

2) Questions on the Reading from First Corinthians: What is the most important thing Paul taught the people? How does Paul see himself fitting in to the story?

3) Questions on the Gospel Reading: What is the situation? Why does Jesus get into Simon’s boat? What happens after Jesus finishes teaching the people? What is Simon’s first response? What happens at the end?

DAYTIME BIBLE STUDY: The noon Bible Study will meet this Tuesday, 12–1 PM in the Rectory. We will base our study on the Scripture readings for next Sunday. Please bring your Bible and join us.

EVENING BIBLE STUDY: The evening Bible Study will meet this Tuesday, 7-8 PM, in the Rectory. We will read from the Gospel according to Luke, Chapters 12 – 19:27. Please read the material ahead of time and come prepared to discuss what you have read.

HAITI DISASTER RELIEF COLLECTION: We have put special envelopes in the pews for you to put your donation to help the people of Haiti deal with the results of the earthquakes that have struck their country. We will also send a tithe of our collection for last Sunday and this Sunday to that cause. The money will go to Catholic Relief Services and be used as part of their outreach. If you use a check, you can either make it out to St. Matthew Church or to Catholic Relief Services. All St. Matthew checks will be deposited and the amount combined with our tithe in one check to CRS. Thank you for your generosity!

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL MEETING NEXT WEEKEND, February 7. Agenda:

Opening Prayer

Open Forum

Review/Acceptance of Agenda

Minutes from December 6, 2009 Meeting

Formation: Discussion of Keeping the Covenant, Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1

Orientation

Consensus Decision Making: Principle & Foundation and Rules for Discernment

Expectations of one another & Rules of Discourse

Lwanga Center Adult Award Winner

Social Concerns Report

Spiritual Life and Worship Report

Stewardship and Development Report

Christian Formation Report

Administration and Finance Report

SLU Showers of Service – Saturday, April 10

What are our next steps?

Pastor’s Comments

Evaluation of Meeting

Next Meeting: March 7, 2010

Closing Prayer

BLESSING OF THROATS: The feast of St. Blaise, Bishop & Martyr, is on Wednesday, February 3. We traditionally bless throats on that day. Instead of that, we will bless throats at the end of Mass today.

DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY: The first Sunday of February is traditionally a special day of prayer for the African-American family. We will take the occasion to pray for and bless all our families. This is a good day to come to church as a family, including your extended family. We hope to see you here next Sunday!

MARDI GRAS VOLUNTEERS: We will be working a booth at the Mardi Gras in Soulard on Saturday, February 13. There are sign-up sheets on the table in the church lobby. We need as many volunteers as possible, to spread out the work load. If you have questions, please talk to Levester Mullins, and keep watching for more details.

LWANGA CENTER AWARDS: Once again this year, we have the opportunity to honor one of our adults and one of our high school students at the St. Charles Lwanga Center Dinner on March 21. We want to choose the adult honoree at the February 7 Pastoral Council meeting; the Youth Ministry will choose the high school honoree at the same time. Today is the deadline for turning in your nominations, using the form provided in the bulletin or on the table in the church lobby. Please give the reasons for your choice, as these will form the basis for selection as well as part of the description of the person whom we honor. The ballot has a list of past honorees, as well as criteria for selection. Thank you for your part in this process.

Calling all St. Matthew members… Sumner High School students need you! If you are interested in becoming a tutor, mentoring a student, becoming a hallway monitor, or perhaps sitting down and having lunch with a promising student, we need you. On Sunday, February 21, we will have a student from Sumner visit our congregation to speak about how you can make a difference in the lives of students! Maureen Nolan, Volunteer Specialist, St. Louis Public Schools and Karen E. Hylton, Community Outreach Coordinator, also with SLPS, will be here on the 21st to answer your questions and sign you up to begin making a difference at Sumner! We will see you here at 9:30 a.m.

DAILY READINGS, February 1-6:

Monday: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Psalm 3; Mark 5:1-20

Tuesday: Presentation of Jesus: Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40

Wednesday: 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17; Psalm 32; Mark 6:1-6

Thursday: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; 1 Chronicles 29; Mark 6:7-13

Friday: Sirach 47:2-11; Psalm 18; Mark 6:14-29

Saturday: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Psalm 119; Mark 6:30-34.