Serving the Swannanoa Valley since 1936
Blessing Your Home on the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
What is "Chalking Our Doors?"
Sunday, January 7, 2024, is the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, one of the oldest of all Christian feasts. It is also known as Three Kings’ Day. It commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child.
Marking our doorways with blessed chalk is a centuries-old Epiphany custom and visible way to dedicate our homes and the New Year to God.
The inscription this year is:
20 + C + M + B + 24
“20” and “24” stand for the new year (2024), of course. The plus signs represent the Cross. CMB are the first initials of the traditional names given to the Magi — Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They also abbreviate the Latin Christus mansionem benedicat, or “May Christ bless the house.”
To mark your home, you will need two things: Chalk that has been blessed by a priest and a prayer.
We will have blessed chalk for you at the entrance of the church during the Jan. 6-7, 2024 weekend Masses.
Blessing Your Home
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As you prepare to mark the front door or porch, say the following:
The Three Wise Men, Casper, Melchior and Balthasar, followed the star of God’s Son who became human 2,022 years ago. May Christ bless our home and be with us throughout the New Year. Amen.
Then, as you make the marks, offer the following prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of Your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of Your love. Grant that we may manifest Your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of You. Guide, comfort and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
Note: The chalk you use has been blessed and should be treated as such. If you no longer have a use for your chalk, you may return it to the office, or bury it into the ground.
Catholic Formation School at Nazareth 2025-2026
ENROLLMENT SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 AT 12:15PM IN THE PARISH HALL!
"Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children."
(CCC2223)
We want to help you and your family grow in your faith so that you may
become greater disciples of Jesus Christ. School At Nazareth, or SAN, is designed for families with children of all ages, but is meant to assist the whole parish community in the endeavor to grow our Catholic faith.
- School At Nazareth Catholic Formation is available to registered
parishioners of St. Margaret Mary.
- We will have a table after each of the Sunday Masses where you will
receive an Enrollment Packet.
- If you have questions, please email Tayler at tcdabbraccio@rcdoc.org.
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DOMINGO DE INSCRIPCIÓN, 17 DE AGOSTO A LAS 12:15 PM EN EL SALÓN PARROQUIAL!
"Los padres tienen la primera responsabilidad de la educación de sus hijos." (CCC2223)
Queremos ayudarle a usted y a su familia a crecer en su fe para que
puedan convertirse en mejores discípulos de Jesucristo. La Escuela en Nazaret,
o SAN, está diseñada para familias con niños de todas las edades,
pero está destinada a asistir a toda la comunidad parroquial en el esfuerzo
de hacer crecer nuestra fe católica.
- La Formación Católica de la Escuela en Nazaret está disponible para los feligreses registrados de Santa Margarita María.
- Tendremos una mesa después de cada una de las Misas dominicales donde recibirán un Paquete de Inscripción.
- Si tiene preguntas, por favor envíe un correo electrónico a Tayler a tcdabbraccio@rcdoc.org.
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Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
We welcome adults 18+ who desire to learn more about the Catholic faith, who desire to become Catholic, or who have been away from the church and would like to return. Email Deacon Dan and Linda Hoffert at hofferts@bellsouth.net.
Rito de Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos (RICA)
Damos la bienvenida a adultos mayores de 18 años que deseen aprender más sobre la fe católica, que deseen convertirse en católicos o que hayan estado lejos de la iglesia y deseen regresar. Envíe un correo electrónico al diácono Dan y Linda Hoffert a hofferts@bellsouth.net.
