The month of January is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Name of Jesus. After the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived by the Holy Spirit, the angel Gabriel appeared to St. Joseph and told him that the Child’s name should be called Jesus, meaning “God Saves.” According to Jewish law, on the 8th day after his birth, a male child was to be circumcised, receive his name, and become a full member of God’s covenant people. According to the old Roman liturgical calendar, the Feast of the Circumcision of Jesus was celebrated on January 1st, eight days after Christmas, the same day that He was given His sacred name. Currently we celebrate the Solemnity of the Mother of God on January 1st and honor the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3rd. For Catholics, Jesus’ sacred name is the object of a special devotion symbolized by the monogram “IHS,” (sometimes called a Christogram), which is the first three letters of the Greek spelling of His name. (Source: MorningOffering.com) 

Please keep in your prayers those in the Military — Amanda and John Boone, daughter and son-in-law of Chuck and Pam Kelly, both in the Air Force and stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in California; Joshua Bottom, National Guard stationed in Lexington, Ky, Michelle Bottom, National Guard, stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky., son and daughter-in-law of Rosemary McCrady; Air Force 1st LT Keith Brinkman, Peterson SFB Colorado Springs, 1st LT Wes Brinkman, son of Tab and Julie Brinkman and his wife 1st LT Elizabeth Fantini are both serving in England, Maddie Buncher, daughter of Mark and Cathy Buncher, is in the US Navy; Zachary Lee, Rich and Jan Berger’s grandson, is stationed at Fr. Campbell; Suzanne (Miller) and husband Jack Tully, USAF, have been assigned to the 492nd Fighter Squadron in England; Nick Roman, grandson of Jim LaFountain, is in the Air Force; CDR Dan Roseman, son of Ken and Mary Roseman, in Japan; Patrick McGrath (and family), son of Bob McGrath, serving as the Army Assistant Military Attache in Stockholm, Sweden, and 1st Lt Garand Fields, son of Brian and Lisa Fields and son-in-law of Brenden and Eileen Fitzpatrick, stationed in Camp Pendleton