Parishioners were encouraged at the Feast of the Epiphany to take home chalk blessed during the mass and mark on their houses the following sign;
20 + C + M + B + 17.
Every family had been given a pack containing chalk and the following information. Fr. Philip visited St. Joseph’s School after the school mass in church and marked the entrances with the symbol while the children gathered to watch.
Blessing the Home
Using the blessed chalk, mark the lintel of your front door (front porch, step or wall – or on the black paper stuck to the surface if it is white) as follows:
20 + C + M + B + 17
while saying:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar followed the star of God’s Son who became human two thousand and seventeen years ago. May Christ bless our home and remain with us throughout the New Year. Amen
Then all the family say together the following prayer:
Visit, O Lord, our home with the joy of your presence. Bless all who live here, and all who visit us, with the gift of your love. May we show your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in love of you. Guide, comfort and strengthen us in your peace. Amen.