STOCCC FEBRUARY 2024 GAZETTE

FEBRUARY 2024 GAZETTE

8 YEARS ANNIVERSARY!

3803 Haines Road North, St. Petersburg, Florida MONTH HIGHLIGHTS: 2 GROUND HOG DAY 10 CHINESE NEW YEAR 12 LINCOLN’S BIRTHDAY 13 SHROVE TUESDAY 14 ST. VALENTINES DAY 14 ASH WEDNESDAY 15 FLAG DAY 19 PRESIDENTS’ DAY 22 WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY

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LIVE MASS LIVE STREAMING EVERY SUNDAY 10:30 AM

CHURCH CALENDAR Stations of the Cross video is found on the website at: www.stoccc.org

Additional Liturgical Dates for February 2 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord 4 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time 5 Memorial of Saint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr 6 Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs 10 Memorial of Saint Scholastica, Virgin 11 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time 14 Ash Wednesday 18 First Sunday of Lent 25 Second Sunday of Lent

For Readings Visit: https://bible.usccb.org/

• February 2, Friday, 6:30 pm, First Friday Mass in the Chapel, Novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus • February 2, Friday, GROUND HOG DAY • February 4, Sunday, 9:45 am, First Sunday of the Month Rosary Prayer • February 4, Sunday, 10:30 am, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM AND MASS • February 7, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook • February 10, Saturday, 8:00 am, PARKING LOT GANG POPUP • February 10, Saturday, 7:00 pm, 5th Annual Giddens Mardi Gras Party • February 10, CHINESE NEW YEAR • February 11, Sunday, 10:30 am, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time LIVE STREAM AND MASS • February 11, Sunday, After Mass, H.O.M. Meeting • February 13, SHROVE TUESDAY • February 14, VALENTINE’S DAY • February 14, Wednesday, Noon to 1 pm, No Morning Mass. Distribution of Ashes in Circle Drive • February 14, Wednesday, 6:30 pm, Ash Wednesday Mass LIVE STREAM AND MASS • February 15, Thursday, FLAG DAY • February 18, Sunday, 10:30 am, First Sunday of Lent LIVE STREAM AND MASS • February 19, Monday, PRESIDENTS’ DAY • February 21, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook • February 22, Thursday, WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY • February 25, Sunday, 10:30 am, Second Sunday of Lent LIVE STREAM AND MASS • February 28, Wednesday, 9:00 am, Morning Mass on Saint Teresa of Calcutta Facebook

FELLOWSHIP AFTER MASS:

We are back up with refreshments in the Teresa Room following Mass. Coffee and water, cookies or pastries. There is a sign-up sheet on the wall in the Teresa Room just over the fellowship table. Please write your name on the Sunday for which you want to bring cookies; the church provides drinks.

If you have any questions, please contact Cindy Giddens or Paula Thomas Baker

FRIDAY

HAPPENINGS Upcoming Birthday and anniversaries for the month

BIRTHDAYS Daniel Pepin 13 Feb Frank Matzelle

UP CO PaulaThomas and Melvin Baker MI February 2, 1994 NG BIR Britt and Gerry Galipault TH February 24, 1996 DA Y AN D AN

ANNIVERSARY

SORRY FOR MISSING THE GAZETTE IN JANUARY! BUT, I WOULD LIKE TO

CONGRATULATE: •

• • • SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY CONGREGATION

Ground hog day Friday the 2nd Groundhog Day is a quirky and fun American tradition that takes place on February 2nd each year. On this day, people eagerly await the emergence of a groundhog from its burrow. According to folklore, if the groundhog sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter; if not, spring will come early. Groundhog Day is celebrated with enthusiasm, with various events and festivities taking place across the United States.

Groundhog Day has its origins in ancient European traditions associated with Candlemas. The idea of predicting weather based on an animal’s behavior emerged in Germany, where the badger was used for this purpose. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they brought this tradition with them but switched to using groundhogs, which were more readily available.

The most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, has been making predictions in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, since the late 19th century. The first official Groundhog Day celebration took place there in 1887.

People often get confused about what it means if the groundhog sees his shadow or not.

Let’s clear it up. According to folklore: If Phil does see his shadow (meaning the Sun is shining) on Groundhog Day 2024, winter will not end early, and we’ll have another 6 weeks of it. If Phil doesn’t see his shadow (cloudy) we’ll have an early spring.

Members of Punxsutawney Phil’s “inner Circle” claim his predictions are 100% accurate. However sources that keep track of his accuracy claim his success rate is more like 39%. Since Punxsutawney Phil first began prognosticating the weather back in 1887, he has predicted an early end to winter 20 times.

Chinese New Year 2024 starts on Feb. 10 and ends on Feb. 24. Chinese New Year typically lasts about 15 days.

However, a few days before and after are also often used for celebrations. In 2024, it's the Year of the Dragon. The dragon has a high reputation in Chinese culture and represents auspiciousness and imperial power. The dragon is a symbol of dignity, health, honor, success, luck and strength.

Lincoln’s/Washington’s Birthday and Presidents’ Day Monday, February 12th

Monday, February 19th

Washington’s Birthday Thursday February 22nd

Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), observed in many Christian countries through participating in confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous year's Holy Week palms, finalizing one's Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.

Shrove Tuesday is observed by many Christians, including Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists and Roman Catholics, who "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with. This moveable feast is determined by Easter. The expression "Shrove Tuesday" comes from the word shrive, meaning "absolve".

As this is the last day of the Christian liturgical season historically known as Shrovetide, before the penitential season of Lent, related popular practices, such as indulging in food that one might give up as their Lenten sacrifice for the upcoming forty days, are associated with Shrove Tuesday celebrations. The term Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday", referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Many Christian congregations thus observe the day through eating pancakes or, more specifically, the holding of pancake breakfasts, as well as the ringing of church bells to remind people to repent of their sins before the start of Lent. On Shrove Tuesday, churches also burn the palms distributed during the previous year's Palm Sunday liturgies to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday.

In some Christian countries, especially those where the day is called Mardi Gras or a translation thereof, it is a carnival day, the last day of "fat eating" or "gorging" before the fasting period of Lent.

Prayer to St. Valentine O glorious advocate and protector, St. Valentine, look with pity upon our wants, hear our requests, attend to our prayers, relieve by your intercession, the miseries under which we labor, and obtain for us the divine blessing, that we may be found worthy to join you in praising the Almighty for all eternity: through the merits of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent)

Wed, Feb 14, 2024 MONDAY OCTOBER 9TH This sacred Wednesday marks the initiation of Lent and occurs 46 days before Easter Sunday. Since the date varies each year, it's essential to be aware of its exact occurrence. So, when does Ash Wednesday fall this year?

In many Western religions like Roman Catholicism, Lent is a 40-day period of reflection and prayer leading up to Easter Sunday. It includes a 40-day fast with Sundays excluded (because they're already considered feast days). Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent and this year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 14, 2024.

Early Christians would begin a period of public penance for their sins on the first day of Lent. The practice originated with the ancient Jewish custom of penance and fasting, and writings from the 2nd-century church refer to ashes as a sign of penance and grief for sins committed. Penitents would wear ashes, symbolizing the dust from which God created humankind. This belief is represented in many Biblical passages such as Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Ecclesiastes 3:20. Ashes also remind Christians that God is merciful to those who ask forgiveness.is to highlight their importance in local communities, so they aren’t overshadowed by larger companies.

Nowadays, Christians attend a religious service on Ash Wednesday to receive ashes on the forehead. The pastor applies the ashes, often in the sign of the cross, and usually says, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." The ashes often are made from the palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration and typically are worn all day as a reminder of the importance and solemnity of the occasion. Although it was once observed primarily by Catholics, many other faiths such as Lutherans and Anglicans observe Ash Wednesday as well.

Purpose of this Newsletter: One format in which to “Keep the lines of Communication OPEN” and inform the congregation, friends, and guests of Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community of what is happening.

SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY STATS: PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 3803 HAINES ROAD NORTH, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33703

Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community Existing Ministry Teams: HOUSE OF MINISTRIES Moderator: William Schwartz Assistant Moderator: Michelle Mazuros Financial: Jon Laubscher Advertising: Michelle Mazuros Card Ministry: Paula Thomas Baker Decorations: Cindy and Dennis Giddens, Susanna Glisson Hospitality: Paula Thomas Baker, Cindy Giddens Liturgical: Alexandra Kahn Media: William Schwartz Outreach: Cindy Giddens Parking Lot Gang: Shelli and Kelvin Muncy, Frank Matzelle Welcome: Susanna Glisson Immediate Needed Ministries: Records Keeper Planning Marketing Future Goals Mats Ministry

MAILING ADDRESS: SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY

Pastor is Father Victor Ray HOUSE OF TRUSTEES

P.O. BOX 47921, ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA 33743

PHONE NUMBER IS: 727-245-0102 Line #1 is the Church Office Line #2 is Father Victor Ray Line #3 is Prayer Request Line #4 is Healing Ministry

President: William Schwartz Vice President: Michelle Mazuros Treasurer: Jon Laubscher Legal: Catherine E. Blackburn, Esquire If anyone is interested in participating in an Existing Ministry, please contact the Ministry Leader. If anyone is interested in Leading any of the Immediate Needed Ministries, Please contact Father Victor Ray or William Schwartz.

Remember that Saint Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Community follows the principles of: TIME TALENT TREASURE

FACEBOOK AT FACEBOOK.COM/ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY YOUTUBE AT SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY TWITTER AT STOCCC2 INSTAGRAM AT STOCCCLOVE APP AT SAINT TERESA OF CALCUTTA CATHOLIC COMMUNITY You can easily connect to all, on our Website: www.stoccc.org

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3803 Haines Road North St. Petersburg, FL 33703

Thank You, as always, for taking time out to read this recent STOCCC Gazette. Please “Pass It On” so that others will find out what we are all about.

This is your Gazette so if there is anything that you would like for me to put in, just let me know! Send all inquiries to: media.stoccc@gmail.com.

Until Next Time, Follow the Holy Spirit and remember what.

Saint Teresa says, “Spread Love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”!