St. Mary's to hold Epiphany retreat

BATH - St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Bath will begin the New Year with a three-day parish retreat l beginning today, Epiphany Sunday, at 5 p.m. in O'Malley Hall with a dish-to pass dinner and service of lessons and carols.

"Star Light! Star Bright! - A Guide for Our Journey" is the retreat theme, and

Father James Vacco, OFM. a Franciscan Friar and member of the Theology Department at St. Bonaventure University in Olean, will serve as retreat master. Fr. Vacco teaches scripture and theology courses at St. Bonaventure and Claire College and also serves as a part-time chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Buffalo. He will preside and preach at weekend Masses, Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.

Sunday evening's Service of Lessons and Carols will feature scripture passages from the Gospels of Luke, Matthew and John interspersed with contemporary carols performed by St. Mary's Choir. The evening will also include a reflection by Fr. Vacco, a candlelight procession and Compline, the Church's Night Prayer.

The retreat will continue on Monday evening at 7 p.m. with Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours - the sacred prayer of the Church. Fr. Vacco's presentation, "Star Bright! Looking for the Light," will focus on the discernment of Christ's call to discipleship. Fr. Vacco will also celebrate Mass at 5:30 p.m. in the Church.

Tuesday evening's presentation: Star Bright! A Guide for our Journey will begin in O'Malley Hall and will conclude with a celebration of the Eucharist.

Recently Bishop Matthew H. Clark invited Catholics from throughout his twelve county Diocese of Rochester to join him in a multi-year journey of spiritual renewal with the goal of deepening our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. While this diocesan initiative officially kicks off during Lent 2008, St. Mary's Epiphany Retreat shares its goal.

The Epiphany Retreat is open to all, regardless of religious parish affiliation.