January 12, 2025

The Baptism of the Lord

For the unity of all Christians. May we recognize the dignity of our common baptism and be awakened in faith by the Holy Spirit.

We pray to the Lord.

For all leaders in faith. May all who hold positions of leadership be invigorated by the flowing waters of baptism and the gifts of passion and the Holy Spirit.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who wait for full initiation into the Church at Easter. May we all deepen our commitments in faith and love. May we voice with full hearts the joy of our salvation and our unity to serve others.

We pray to the Lord.

For courage to act and serve from our baptism. May we tell the bold truth of our faith and not be discouraged by those who silence the mission of Jesus Christ.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who desire faith and love. May our next generation grow in dedication to Jesus Christ and learn to serve the dignity of all human beings.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who bear the mystery of suffering. May we not despair as we face bodily anguish and loneliness. May Christ ease our hardships and protect us from despair.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who struggle in daily life. May we reach out to protect others who live in depression and angst. May hope be found in our commitments on earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who sit in the darkness of violence and bleakness. May peace become real in every nation, household and human heart.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who face surgery. May the Holy Spirit soothe our pain and heal every disease and illness.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead. May our loved ones rest in the assurance of the Kingdom of God. May we support one another in our grief.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE to read my article from US Catholic Magazine, 2010, republished in 2022.

CLICK HERE to read full newsletter on Brother Columba, O’Neill, CSC, January 2025

CLICK here to read today’s scriptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection

January 5, 2025

The Epiphany of the Lord

For leaders and their quest for integrity and faith. May the journey of all spiritual leaders reveal to us the miracles of God-with-us.

We pray to the Lord.

For the humble widow and the powerless child. May our beloved poor be offered the gifts of faith, hope and love. May all who struggle on earth know the inspiring goodness of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For adults who care for children. May sleepless nights and tiresome days reveal hope to every parent. May the future bring sufficient resources and abundant kindness.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who journey toward faith and hope. May our lives know true peace as we raise our hearts to heavenly love. May our paths cross with Christ Jesus and may we lay down our burdens in his sight.

We pray to the Lord.

For people confined to pain and isolation. May our bodies be given remedy and our spirits soar with hope. May our suffering be eased in our relationship with divine love.

We pray to the Lord.

For people searching for hope in dark nights of addiction. May faith ease our cravings so to numb pain and our regrets of the past. May hope be born in sobriety when the sun rises in morning.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who pursue meaning and vocation. May prayer lead us safely to the person of Christ Jesus. May we find in our yearning the desire of our hearts.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who grieve in the nighttime. May healing begin from our journey toward faith in the passion, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. May hope be born in our lives of loss.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who have died. May our loved ones now find peace after the long journey on earth. May we rejoice in God’s saving love.

We pray to the Lord.

Click here to read today’s scriptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection

January 1, 2025

Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God

For Francis, our Pope and ___, our Bishop. May the Holy Spirit invoke joy and hope in our earthly leaders. May our church reflect the promise of peace for all humanity.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who live in waring nations. May this day of peace offer consolation and change in all who lead other people. May hope be born in the chaos of earthly life.

We pray to the Lord.

For all mothers and people who nurture goodness. May we rely on the grace of God to help protect the orphan, the young and those struggling to grow up and to grow wise.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who wish to break out of an old way of life in this new year. May we shed routines, habits and ruts that do not provide goodness for ourselves and other people. May this new year provide joy in our lives upon the earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For all children who experience abusive words and actions among adults. May our next generation be offered new environments of satisfaction, joy and openness. May God give the young the courage to grow up in love.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who are confined to bitterness and self-hatred. May our Eucharist open the hearts of the lost and may we all find courage to live in the love of the Holy Spirit.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who face lonely nights and lost days. May our elderly know peace and the young find meaning. May our lives reflect the joy and hope of the Holy Spirit.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who grieve loved ones in this new year. May our common grief grow into love and concern for our neighbor. May we not fear our losses but learn from every aspect of human love and life.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead. May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. May our beloved rest in peace.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK here to read today’s scriptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection

December 29, 2024

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

For all leaders in our Church. For Francis, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop, and ___, our Pastor. May our family of God on earth be in harmony with gospel joy and compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who keep our church communities functioning. May our maintenance workers, administrators, catechists, teachers and musicians, work in peace for the good of our worshipping assemblies. May our work be good and holy.

We pray to the Lord.

For all families in our faith community. May we support parents in their marriages and our youth in their search for meaning and discernment of their gifts. May forgiveness find a home at our common tables.

We pray to the Lord.

For a lasting and rich forgiveness among members of our families. May we be attentive to those we love. May we offer our ears to listen and our hearts to provide compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

For the unity of all Christians. May we befriend our Christian relatives and work for the benefit of our common home on earth, for justice and peace among our nations.

We pray to the Lord.

For migrant families in every nation. May we welcome the searching and those who long for stability, education and physical and emotional safety.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who imagine and create. May we rely on those who dream for a better life in our Church and world. For scientists, artists and creatives. For our next generation of talents who will show us the beauty and relevance of life, technology and good living.

We pray to the Lord.

For our families who survive poverty, food insecurity, and lack of hope. May we reach out to every human family under heaven to help people thrive. May compassion be made known for all people.

We pray to the Lord.

For family members recently diagnosed with illness or disease. May we ease the burdens of those who face physical pain during this Christmas season.

We pray to the Lord.

For members of our families who have died. May our loved ones find eternal rest and peace in the face of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE to read tonight’s sciptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection