Sunday September 10, 2023

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Francis, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May we find joy in our gatherings of worship, and hope in our service to the marginalized.

We pray to the Lord.

For courage to mend our relationships. May we seek Christ’s healing to find solace among people whom we have hurt and those who have hurt us.

We pray to the Lord.

For gatherings of two or three. May we rely on the Holy Spirit in our prayer to courageously trust the miracles of God. May love gather us and send us into the world.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children in the new school year. May our youth not be bullied for their differences. May each child find their unique talent and have the courage to express their gift.

We pray to the Lord.

For courage to reconcile family disparities. May we step back from technology and privilege and help mend family members who feel estranged and lonely. May fear not find home in family life.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who lean on walkers and canes. May they find the support of healthcare workers and family members. May their pain be eased through our encouragement.

We pray to the Lord.

For healing in generational disparities. May our youth find courage to listen to the wisdom of grandparents. May our elderly not discourage the gifts of the young. May love find home in all generations of believers.

We pray to the Lord.

For healing among those who grieve. May the Holy Spirit guide our losses into consolation and courage. May grief give way to gratefulness.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead. May our loved ones who encouraged us on earth now be freed of pain and sorrow in the face of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

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September 3, 2023

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Francis, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May our leaders teach us to pray in the abundant mercy of God. May they yield their earthly power to  God’s fidelity toward every human soul.

We pray to the Lord.

For a deeper desire for prayer. May we surrender to the gift of God’s desire for us. May love abound and faithfulness be our way of life.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who labor for others. May our work bring hope for people on earth. May all who labor in daylight and throughout the nighttime find satisfaction and financial security.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who cannot manage their burdens. May the cross free those who carry body pain, emotional turmoil or financial misfortunes. May Christ reveal freedom to all people.

We pray to the Lord.

For all who help relieve the burdens of the earth. May scientists, explorers, farmers and theologians all work together to teach climate awareness. May we all become aware of our role to lift up the cause of the earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children in the new school year. May our next generation be open and inquisitive to the beauty and wonder of life. May our emerging talents open new doors for the future.

We pray to the Lord.

For those who wish their lives had turned out differently. May the cross of regret not hinder our lives or our present relationships. May love be found in the here and now.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who live in emotional chaos. May our loved who suffer dementia or memory loss find hope and comfort. May God relax them with each breath they take while on earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead not forgotten among us. May God receive the souls of those who have taught us how to love on earth.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE to read my latest article in The Priest Magazine, September 2023

The Priest Magazine is published in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

CLICK here to read today’s scriptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection

Sunday August 27, 2023

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Francis, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May our leaders use wisely the keys of faith, mercy, and forgiveness handed down to us from Christ Jesus. May we unlock the doors of the Kingdom here on earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For all religious and political leaders. May our leaders unlock the gifts of people and restore justice when harm is manifest. May we seek to lead others with purpose and delight.

We pray to the Lord.

For our people who have been ravaged by storms, fires, floods, and droughts. May we cooperate with those who have lost every possession under heaven. May hope be found on earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For our people who live with disability and body pain. May those who question their value or worth be brought to full realization of their gifts and talents. May their anguish be healed.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who suffer depression and emotional turmoil. May God reveal joy and peace to those whose lives are fragile. May darkness ease into the light of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For those who hold keys on behalf of our children. May we open new possibilities of education and insight. May we open for our youth the beauty of art, mystery and exploration.

We pray to the Lord.

For all prisoners and those who live behind bars and fear. May we unlock hope for people wrongly imprisoned. May we not warehouse people who suffer mental illness. May the keys of mercy unlock our future.

We pray to the Lord.

For our people who hold keys in positions that do not open joy for them. May we seek to earn a living with purpose in our world. May families find balance in work and responsibility, in play and deserved joy.

We pray to the Lord.

For our loved ones who now rest in the promise of eternal life. May our beloved now see the face of Christ Jesus for all eternity.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE to read today’s scriptures

CLICK HERE to listen to today’s reflection

CLICK HERE to read my article on the website of the Congregation of Holy Cross

Sunday August 20, 2023

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For our religious leaders in every nation. May we seek the healing gift of Christ Jesus. May we listen attentively to the needs of those who wait for justice.

We pray to the Lord.

For the people of Maui. May those devasted by fires, loss, and grief be held in the love of Christ Jesus. May we help rebuild people’s lives and work to sustain our beautiful and fruitful land.

We pray to the Lord.

For people waiting to be healed. May people who ache for adequate healthcare and affordable medications find justice in our care for every human being.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who begin a new school year. May our youth find their true passions, their gifts and their talents for the common good of our world. May their imaginations be ignited and their hearts be broken open.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who wait for the healing touch of Christ Jesus. May people suffering from mental illness and physical disease find hope and courage to manage their lives.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who long to capture the love and attention of Christ Jesus. May people who cannot bear their suffering find new hope in the miracle of the Lord’s presence. May we find more than scraps to feed us at this Eucharistic Table.

We pray to the Lord.

For vocations to serve within the Church. May our young find ways to support the Church’s life of prayer and service among God’s beloved poor.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who grieve the loss of a loved one. May we steady our lives in the assurance of God’s healing presence.

We pray to the Lord.

For our loved ones who have died. May our beloved find joy and peace around the banquet of the Kingdom for all eternity.

We pray to the Lord.