February 11 - Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time

Reading 1, Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Responsorial Psalm, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 11
Gospel, Mark 1:40-45
Reading 2, First Corinthians 10:31--11:1

At a conference at a seminary near NYC in the 1970s I met Yolanda, a 79 year old Mexican woman who had been bringing communion to lepers 50 miles away each week for fifty years; she planned to continue that trek for as long as she could! Who do you know who goes out of their way to minister to people others ostracize?

Some who heal today’s “lepers” advocate for immigrants, refugees and migrants. A friend drives migrant workers to their deportation hearings and prays with them. Fr. Jesus Flores spoke to our Immigration Reform group both at Our Lady of Guadalupe and here. He and Sr. Lucy are great advocates as they have known the migrants very well for many years. St Gregory’s, Marion parishioners have formed community with migrants in Our Lady of Guadalupe church.

Last Saturday, a 15 year old Brighton High School girl hosted From Strangers to Neighbors at the Islamic Center on Westfall Road. People from Bosnia, Ethiopia, Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Kamaroon presented gifts they’ve brought to the U.S. They told inspiring stories while sharing luscious food, hand-made jewelry, crafts, wood carvings and fabrics from their homelands. They appreciate their refuge here; the adults work and have paid taxes here for 20 years.

Consider signing the petition you will find in our church foyer this weekend. If you take a petition others to sign please return it next weekend.