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As we begin our post-Christmas observance of Ordinary Time, which will lead us into the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday (Wednesday, February 26th), the Church invites us to look more closely at the public life of Jesus. While this year we will hear from the Gospel of Matthew on most Sundays, today we hear from John’s Gospel, telling us about John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God. It is primarily from this Gospel passage that we speak of Jesus as the Lamb of God in our liturgy. Why the word lamb? After all, a lamb is a young sheep, and the term could be used to indicate an unsophisticated, immature person.

Join us for the Fatima School open house on Thursday, January 30, 2020 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Any parents interested in learning more about Our Lady of Fatima School are invited to attend the Open House and meet our principal, Ms. Melinda Mader, and our teaching staff. Call (505)255-6391 for information.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2020, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, and the official end to the Church’s observance of the Christmas season. Three of the four Gospels recall the Baptism of the Lord, each in its own way. The version we heard today, from the Gospel of Matthew, is unique in recalling that when Jesus came to the Jordan River, John the Baptist at first tried to “prevent him” from receiving baptism, saying that he was the one who needed to be baptized by Jesus. But Jesus replies, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

The Adult Faith-Sharing Group will resume weekly meetings from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesdays starting January 15, 2020. Sessions are held in Room #1 of Fatima-Gallagher Hall. We will begin the new year with an 8-part series entitled “Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues,” by Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Ministries. Each session will include a small amount of reading, a video presentation, and group discussions responding to Questions for Understanding and Questions for Application. Study guides will be available at the first session for $5 each, or may be purchased in advance at the Parish Office.

The Holy Name Society of Our Lady of Fatima invites the men of our parish to attend the 7th Annual Holy Name Society Men’s Spiritual Retreat. Our theme this year is “Embracing the Mystery of the Holy Spirit” led by Father Chris Hallada. This will be a day of reflection, interaction and prayer where we can all experience God’s presence in our souls. Join us on Saturday, February 29, 2020, 9 AM to 3 PM, at The Madonna Retreat Center behind St. Pius X High School. Cost is $25.00. Registration forms are available in the Parish Office.

Our Lady of Fatima Parish has an immediate opening for a part-time position available in the Parish Office. The position involves serving as a receptionist and performing clerical responsibilities including data entry, composing and editing the weekly bulletin, composing messages for the LED sign, and various other duties. Must be comfortable with Publisher, Excel and data base entry. Hours can be flexible but would normally be four hours a day, Monday through Friday. Good pay and benefits. ​​​​​​​Application forms are available in the Parish Office.

Fr. Chris and I would like to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the many acts of kindness that we have received in the past few weeks. I am humbled by the thoughtfulness of so many people who sent cards, or brought over home-made cookies and other gifts. A special “thank-you” also to all those who donated baby diapers and baby clothing to our “Giving Tree” to support Birthright in their mission to provide for mothers who are in need of assistance. May the Lord’s blessing be upon you throughout the new year.

Year-end contribution statements will automatically be sent to all registered parishioners who donated $50 or more in the year 2019. ​​​​​​​If your donations were less than $50 for the year and you would like a copy of your contribution statement, it may be requested from the parish office.

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. The Readings call us to attitudes and actions that can bring harmony and joy to our family life. In the First Reading (Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14) echoes the lesson of the Fourth Commandment and emphasizes our call to obey, honor, respect and even revere our parents. He notes the many blessings that this reverent and respectful attitude can bring us.

There is now a kiosk located near the Lomas doors of the church containing books, pamphlets and CDs on various aspects of Catholic spirituality and practice. The kiosk will be available on Saturdays from 3:30 PM until after the 12:00 PM Mass on Sundays. A small donation is requested for these materials as indicated on the kiosk.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction have been suspended on Mondays due to lack of attendance. Many times the Blessed Sacrament has been left unattended.

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 1:18-24) is sometimes referred to as the “Annunciation to Joseph,” as an angel of the Lord speaks to Joseph in his dreams and reveals God’s plan for the birth of the Savior. What if Joseph had not obeyed Gabriel? In a small town like Nazareth where everyone knew everyone else, Mary’s pregnancy prior to moving in with Joseph as his wife would have been scandalous. And imagine what must have been going through Joseph’s mind when he became aware that Mary was with child and knew that he was not the biological father. Under the law he could have had her and her unborn child stoned to death, but any doubts he had were overcome by his love for Mary and he had decided to divorce her quietly so that no harm would come to her. But then came the message of the angel, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife.

Decorating the church for Christmas will take place at 9:00 AM on Monday, December 23rd. Everyone is invited to come and help.

View the 2019 Our Lady of Fatima Christmas Season Mass Schedule.

Have you or someone you know considered becoming a Catholic Priest? Without obligation, you are invited to attend a Discernment Retreat to learn more about a priestly vocation in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. This is a weekend for single Catholic men, from high school seniors to age 50, to explore and learn about a life serving God and His Church as a Priest. The weekend retreat will be held at the Madonna Retreat Center in Albuquerque next to St. Pius X High School. It will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, January 31st , and end at 1:00 PM on Sunday, February 2nd. There is no charge to attend.

Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is known as “Gaudete Sunday” and is marked by a rose colored candle on the Advent wreath. The Latin word gaudete means “rejoice” and is taken from Philippians 4:4 in which Saint Paul declares: “Rejoice in the Lord always! I say it again, rejoice!” The title “Gaudete Sunday” thus refers to the joy that we feel as Advent is half over and Christmas is near. The season of Advent is one of preparation and anticipation. Today, as the celebration of the Birth of the Lord has nearly arrived, we are filled with joy.

We all spend a lot of time getting ready for Christmas. There’s the gifts, the cards, the decorating, the cooking, the visits to Santa, the children’s pageants. Why do we do all this? “Well, everyone else is doing it,” you might say. “We can’t be the only house on the block without Christmas lights.” There’s some truth to that. After all we want to join those who are celebrating the birth of Jesus. The gifts are meant to be an expression of our joy in God’s gift of His Son, for He so loved the world. The cards might seem insignificant, but they are really important. Perhaps there might be someone we drop a card to whose life will brighten when they hear from us. And as far as the children are concerned, we want them to be full of joy on Christmas and we need to spend time reminding them why this is a day of joy. The music specific to the Christmas season is important too. The carols get us in the mood to celebrate as they remind us what we are celebrating.

Posole for sale after each mass the weekend of Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15. There will be a limited amount available. First come, first served.

Today we celebrate the First Sunday of .Advent. The season of Advent is a period of preparation in which we await the celebration of the Birth of the Lord. Waiting is never a passive exercise. It always involves commitment on our part. Would we invite a guest to our home for dinner and then be surprised - and unprepared - when the guest shows up? No. We would clean the house and make preparations for a grand meal. When we say we are waiting for something, we cannot live as if we are waiting for nothing. Our waiting is a dedication and a preparation. Our Advent waiting dedicates us and prepares us for the coming of Christ. Advent is a season in which we should be particularly mindful of our need for repentance and good works as we listen to the long-ago cry of John the Baptist: ''Prepare the way of the Lord!"