Song of The Week (12/28 - 1/3) - "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by: Phillips Craig & Dean

CLICK THE LINK to download "Do You Hear What I Hear?" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hope-for-all-the-world/id715225441

"Do You Hear What I Hear?" Lyrics:

Said the night wind to the little lamb

Do you see what I see

Way up in the sky little lamb

Do you see what I see

A star a star

Dancing in the night

With a tail as big as a kite

With a tail as big as a kite

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear

Ringing through the night shepherd boy

Do you hear what I hear

A song a song high above the trees

With a voice as big as the sea

With a voice as big as the sea

Said the Shepherd boy to the mighty king

Do you know what I know

In you palace walls mighty king

Do you know what I know

A child a child

Shivers in the cold

Let us bring Him silver and gold

Let us bring Him silver and gold

Said the king to the people everywhere

listen to what I say

Pray for peace people everywhere

Listen to what I say

The child the child

Shivers in the cold

Let us bring him silver and gold

Let us bring Him silver and gold

The child the child 

Sleeping in the night

He will bring us goodness and light

He will bring us goodness and light

Do you hear what I hear...

Do you hear what I hear...

Reflection: 

In the joy of the Christmas season, this song encourages us to ask, "Do you hear what I hear"; do you see what I see?" What we hear is God's voice guiding us to the light of the Christ Child; what we see is God's Word enfleshed for us. Christmas reminds us that Love is made visible. Let us open and embrace the Gift of God!

John 1:14 - "And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory"

Matthew 1:25 - "For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins"



Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (12/21 - 12/27) - "Mary Did You Know?" by Michael English

CLICK THE LINK to download "Mary Did You Know?" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/michael-english/id74001214

"Mary Did You Know?" Lyrics:

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you've delivered

Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm a storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you've kissed your little baby

Then you've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

The dead will live a-gain

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will one day rule the nations?

Did you know

That your baby boy is Heaven's perfect Lamb

And the sleeping child you're holding

Is the great, I am

Mary

Reflection:

What I love most about this time of year is contemplating Jesus as an infant.  Throughout the year, I only think of Christ as a teacher and preacher, and of course what he did for us in his suffering, death, and resurrection.  But during this time of year, we are called to focus on Christ’s birth.  To think of Christ as an infant, being nursed and cared for by Mary and Joseph just as any infant is, is truly amazing.  To think that our God came down from heaven and took on our human nature is a mystery in and of itself; that Jesus Christ the immortal one, came down to redeem the mortal ones.  What an awesome God we have!  And it all started in a stable.  Not in some grand castle surrounded by servants, which would have been justifiable, but in a lowly stable surrounded by farm animals and some shepherds.  How humble is our God!  When we consider all this, we can then also wonder the same questions that are asked in this song: “Mary did you know that…” Because, honestly, who would’ve guessed that this baby would grow up to do all those things listed in this song?  During this Christmas season, let us all rejoice in the love and humility that our God has.  He loves us so much that he came down from heaven to be one of us, to live among us, and to ultimately die for us, so that one day we can live with him in heaven.  May all of you have a very blessed and joyous Christmas season and may our Infant Savior bless us all.

Philippians 2:5-8 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.”

“The only-begotten Son of God, wanting to make us sharers in his divinity, assumed our nature, so that he, made man, might make men gods.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song Of The Week (12/14 - 12/21) - "O come O come Emmanuel" by: Shane & Shane

CLICK THE LINK to download "O come O come Emmanuel" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/glory-in-highest-christmas/id522507080

"O come O come Emmanuel" Lyrics:

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o'er the grave

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer. 

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Reflection: 

“O come, O come, Emmanuel” is a very ancient hymn that was probably first sung in the twelfth century.  The lyrics of the song are a plea for God to come and save us from our sins.  “And ransom captive Israel that mourns in lonely exile here.”  Due to our sins, all of us are held in a type of captivity because sin cripples us and binds us.  It truly is like an exile because we are exiling ourselves from God.  Sins stop us from loving God and we end up loving only ourselves.  However, God has promised he will save us.  So as Israel did for centuries, waiting for a savior, we too wait in joyful expectation that Christ will come again.  Christmas is less than two weeks away, so rejoice!  The savior is near and will set us free.

Isaiah 35:10 – “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning flee away.”

1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (12/7-12/13) - "One Thing Remains" by: Jesus Culture

 

 

CLICK THE LINK to download "One Thing Remains" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/one-thing-remains-live/id415036948?i=415037143

 

 

"One Thing Remains" Lyrics:

 

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remains

Your love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me

On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love
My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

 

 

 

Reflection:

This season of Advent is one of waiting, watching and praying. We do so in the exuberant joy of Christ's love for us. When we take away all of the Christmas trees, gifts, wrappings, parties, food, drink and other festivities associated with Christmas, it all comes down to the Truth sung so beautifully by the group Jesus Culture: one thing remains, God's love for us never fails. Yes, as this song states, "In death, in life, I’m confident and covered by the power of Your great love. My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can separate my heart from Your great love..." The more we embrace the Truth of God's love for us, the more we become who God has created us to be.


1 John 4:19 - "We love because he first loved us."

1 Corinthians 16:14 - "Your every act should be done with love."

 

 

Rev. Gary Janak

 

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Song of The Week (11/23 - 11/29) - "Redeemed" by: Big Daddy Weave

CLICK THE LINK to download "Redeemed" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-come-to-life/id515814055

"Redeemed" Lyrics:

Seems like all I could see was the struggle
Haunted by ghosts that lived in my past
Bound up in shackles of all my failures
Wondering how long is this gonna last
Then You look at this prisoner and say to me "son
Stop fighting a fight it's already been won"

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be
I am redeemed, I'm redeemed

All my life I have been called unworthy
Named by the voice of my shame and regret
But when I hear You whisper, "Child lift up your head"
I remember, oh God, You're not done with me yet

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, now I'm not who I used to be

Because I don't have to be the old man inside of me
'Cause his day is long dead and gone
Because I've got a new name, a new life, I'm not the same
And a hope that will carry me home

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, 'cause I'm not who I used to be

I am redeemed, You set me free
So I'll shake off these heavy chains
Wipe away every stain, yeah, I'm not who I used to be
Oh, God, I'm not who I used to be
Jesus, I'm not who I used to be
'Cause I am redeemed
Thank God, redeemed

Reflection:

There’s an old saying in the Church that goes like this: “When the devil reminds you of

your past, remind him of his future.” Whenever we dwell on past sins, past mistakes 

we’ve made, it truly is the devil that’s trying to hold us hostage and keep us from living 

in the freedom that Christ promises us. God knows we are sinners and we are prone to 

fall, but that’s why we have the sacraments, especially the sacrament of the Eucharist 

and the sacrament of reconciliation. These sacraments are given to us as a gift from 

Christ to help us on the path to holiness and being free from past sins. Whenever we 

fall into sin, and everyone does because we are human and no one is immune to sin, 

we need to make an act of contrition and return to God. Jesus died for all our sins. We 

have been forgiven. We cannot allow the bondage of sin from keeping us from living in 

the freedom that Christ has offered us. As the song says, “I am redeemed, you set me 

free. So I’ll shake off these heavy chains.”

Psalm 86:5 – “Lord, you are good and forgiving, most merciful to all who call on you.”

1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great 

mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from 

the dead.”

Romans 6:22-23 – “But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves 

of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification and its end is eternal life. For 

the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (11/16 - 11/22) - "Until The Whole World Hears" by:Casting Crowns

CLICK THE LINK to download "Until The Whole World Hears" on iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/until-the-whole-world-hears/id336680396

"Until The Whole World Hears" Lyrics:

Lord, I want to feel your heart

And see the world through your eyes

I want to be your hands and feet

I want to live a life that leads

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out

Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound

Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out

And as the day draws near

We'll sing until the whole world hears

Lord, let your sleeping giant rise

Catch the demons by surprise

Holy nation sanctified

Let this be our battle cry

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

Let us shine the light of Jesus in the darkest night

Ready yourselves, ready yourselves

May the powers of darkness tremble as our praises rise

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out

Lifting up your name for all to hear the sound

Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out

And as the day draws near

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

I want to be your hands and feet

I want live a life that leads

To see you set the captive free

Until the whole world hears

And I pray that they will see

More of you and less of me

Lord, I want my life to be

The song You sing

Until the whole world hears, Lord, we are calling out

Lifting your name up for all to hear the sound

Like voices in the wilderness, we're crying out

And as the day draws near

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

We'll sing until the whole world hears

Reflection:

Faith is about perseverance.  As Christians, we are called to live each day with the determination that we will never stop preaching, never stop believing, never stop proclaiming Christ as our Savior.  As His followers, we will not stop, despite whatever we must confront, until Christ comes again at the end of time.  How can this be accomplished when often times we feel so weak in faith?  As this song reminds us, if we begin to see the world through the eyes of Christ and choose to be His hands and feet here on earth, we can "live a life that leads."  When the world begins to see less of us and more of Christ, then we will persevere on our journey of faith, begin to lead others to Christ and never stop, "until the whole world hears."

John 3:30 -"He must increase, I must decrease" 

Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up" 

Colossians 1:9-12 - "Therefore, from the day we heard this, we do not cease praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, so as to be fully pleasing, in every good work bearing fruit and growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with every power, in accord with his glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in light^" 



Rev. Gary Janak
Pastor

Our Lady of victory Parish

Song of The Week (11/9 - 11/15) - "There Is A Way" by: NewWorldSon

CLICK THE LINK to download "There Is A Way" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/there-is-a-way/id475884241?i=475884245

"There Is A Way" Lyrics:

You say love is just a word, just four letters in a row
Just a thing that people say or they never tell you so
And you use every excuse to let nobody in
Now this cloud you bring around has become your only friend

And everybody saying that it's going to go away but it don't go
And everybody's telling you one day it's going to change
But you don't know if it's really going to end

But there is a way, there is a spark
There is a hope that you can hold on to
There is a lifeline come to the rescue
Just like a hand that's waiting for you
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way

But if love became a man if the word had flesh and bone
Would you recognize His face if He came to bring you home?
You think you're all alone, gotta do it on your own riding solo
Is there someone you can call when you stumble and fall?
'Cause you don't know if you'll be getting up again

There is a way, there is a spark
There is a hope that you can hold on to
There is a lifeline come to the rescue
Just like a hand that's waiting for you
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone
There is a way, the truth and the life, and the way

Don't you think your life's worth saving?
Don't you know that love's amazing?
Don't you want to lay your troubles down?
Lay them down

If I thought love was just a word, I might feel the same way too
But there's so much more than that and it's waiting here for you

There is a way, there is a spark
There is a hope that you can hold on to
There is a lifeline come to the rescue
Just like a hand that's waiting for you
And if you believe in this I promise that you won't be alone

There is a way, there is a way, there is a way
(Truth and the life and the way)
Come on, there is a way
(Truth and the life and the way)
There is a way, there is a way
(Truth and the life and the way)

There is a way
(Truth and the life and the way)
Ooh, there is a way back home
(Truth and the life and the way)

Reflection:

During the Baptism of Jesus and at his Transfiguration, which we can read about in all four gospels, a voice from heaven says, “This is my beloved Son.”  This simple phrase is very significant because what God says to Jesus at his baptism, God also says to all of us.  “You are my beloved son/daughter.”  God loves you.  I would bet that we all know God loves us, but perhaps because we’ve heard it all our lives, it’s easy to forget how wonderful that is.  This song is about love and a reminder of God’s love for us.  When we are having a bad day, week, or even month, there is one thing we can always relay on and that’s God’s love.  Life has its ups and downs.  It’s especially during the “downs” that we can forget or even doubt God’s love.  When those times come, remember “there is a way, there is a spark, there is a hope that you can hold on to.  There is a lifeline come to the rescue.  Just like a hand that’s waiting for you and if you believe in this, I promise that you won’t be alone,” because God loves you.

John 14:18 – “I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.”

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ.”

Deacon Scott Hill

Our Lady of Victory Parish

Song of The Week (11/2 - 11/8) - "I Will Rise" by: Chris Tomlin

CLICK THE LINK to download "I Will Rise" on iTunes:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hello-love-with-bonus-track/id716328267

"I Will Rise" Lyrics:

There's a peace I've come to know 

Though my heart and flesh may fail 

There's an anchor for my soul 

I can say "It is well" 

Jesus has overcome 

And the grave is overwhelmed 

The victory is won 

He is risen from the dead 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise 

There's a day that's drawing near 

When this darkness breaks to light 

And the shadows disappear 

And my faith shall be my eyes 

Jesus has overcome 

And the grave is overwhelmed 

The victory is won 

He is risen from the dead 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise 

And I hear the voice of many angels sing, 

"Worthy is the Lamb" 

And I hear the cry of every longing heart, 

"Worthy is the Lamb" 

And I will rise when He calls my name 

No more sorrow, no more pain 

I will rise on eagles' wings 

Before my God fall on my knees 

And rise 

I will rise

Reflection:

"There's an anchor for my soul," sings Chris Tomlin in his hymn, I Will Rise. An anchor is used to secure a vessel to the sea bottom. It provides stabilization. Christ is that anchor for us. As we so often sway in the wind, it is Christ who is our anchor; he seeks to protect and stabilize us. The Risen Lord comes to lead us to what matters; that which is above and beyond us. In overcoming the darkness of the grave, the Light of Christ, in his resurrection, has opened the gate of eternal life for us. Let us turn to Christ, our Anchor, who promises us that as he has risen, so we can rise with Him.


Colossians 3:1-4: "If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory."


Hebrews 6: 19-20: "This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek."

Rev. Gary Janak

Pastor

Our Lady of Victory Parish