FAITH FORMATION - Calendar Preschool Elementary 7th-12th Adult RCIA Adult/Talks Liturgy of the Word Vacation Bible School Safety St. Mary's School
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Contact: Cynthia Larson Director of Elementary Faith Formation Office Phone: 616-842-2840 Email: clarson@stmarysl.org Weather Notice
Faith Formation classes are currently meeting online. |
Did you know it has an origin in the Catholic Church?
It is a fascinating history and it all goes back to an important feast day that we continue to celebrate on February 2nd: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Tomorrow is Groundhog Day. The tradition is that a groundhog will come out of his hole and if he sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If he doesn't see his shadow, then Spring will come early. Did you know this tradition is connected to a Catholic feast day we celebrate tomorrow? Tomorrow is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast is also called "Candlemas" in the Catholic Church. Christians would bring their candles to mass on this day to have them blessed. These were the candles people would use to get them through the winter. A tradition developed that the weather on February 2nd (Candlemas) would predict if it was going to be a short or long winter. "If Candlemas be fair and bright, Come, winter, have another flight. If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Go, winter, and come not again." Later the tradition of an animal (groundhog) seeing his shadow formed as a prediction for a short or long winter. If the weather is nice and the groundhog sees his shadow, then there will be six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy, then Spring will come early. Where does the six more weeks of winter idea come from? February 2nd = 40 days after Christmas (December 25) Six Weeks = about 40 more days after February 2nd (Candlemas) Can you believe it has been forty days since Christmas? What can we do in the next forty days to strengthen our faith in God? Instead of candles, what can help us find light and joy through the next six weeks of winter (or early Spring)? A Candlemas Prayer O God, who in the work of creation commanded the light to shine out of darkness: we pray that the light of the glorious gospel of Christ may shine into the hearts of all your people, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and unbelief , and revealing to them the knowledge of your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Amen. Article printed with permission from: Jared Dees Founder, The Religion Teacher & Formation5 |
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