It was on this day in the year 269 that a priest named Valentine was martyred in Rome for audaciously preaching the gospel to the Emperor Claudius, and secretly marrying persecuted Christians. Legend has it that he cut hearts from parchment to remind those he married of God’s love. Another story describes Valentine healing the blindness of his jailer’s daughter, and sending her a note from prison signed simply, ‘Your Valentine’. It is ironic and significant that this great archetype of romantic love was himself both single and celibate.

In the last teaching, we considered the church as a global and historical reality - "One, Holy, Catholic Church." In this teaching, we zoom in to reflect on it as a local mosaic. In this view, the church is seen as a communion of saints. What do these two words mean?

To those of you who have added your "theme" ideas to the form - thank you! Some great ideas are coming in! 

But we're still open to hearing other thoughts. Do you have an idea that could be our theme for the year ahead?  Click the link below to add your thoughts. 

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