January 21, 2024

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Let us pray for Francis, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May God console them to serve with wonder and praise. May they reveal to us all the beauty of God’s call and vocation.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the unity of all Christians. May the baptized find common ground upon which to build God’s Kingdom on earth. May the integrity of our life in Christ be made known to all the earth.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for transparency and courage in our political systems. May we unify in our efforts to serve the common good. May harmony become our way of life so to ease bickering and arrogance.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to leave behind all things that keep us from Christ. May we cast sin, heartache, and anxiety into the wind and listen closely to the loving call of Jesus. May we follow him unreservedly.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our brothers and sisters who survive on the streets. May people who live outside find the consolation of our service and the safety of a new shelter. May God provide warmth, love and protection in the nighttime.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for a new vision of service within the Church. May we listen carefully to people who bear the weight of depression, mental anguish and despair. May hope and grace flourish among us.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our elderly confined to hospitals and nursing homes. May God provide healing for people who have lost family connections and satisfying relationships. May love protect them in the lonely nighttime.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who are ill and in desperate need of healing and consolation. May we lift up to God the names of our loved ones who most need mercy and compassion.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our beloved dead. May our loved ones who have died now find true freedom and home in the presence of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE to read today’s scriptures

CLICK here to listen to today’s reflection

January 14, 2024

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Let us pray for integrity for those who lead us in faith. May Francis, our Pope, and ____, our Bishop, shepherd God’s initiative in us all to pray with courage and to serve with lasting hope.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to approach God with open hearts and wide imaginations. May God’s presence fill our dreams with integrity. May we seek God with inner freedom.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for genuine peace in this new year. May nations discover authentic hope for their people. May we all work to provide housing, food, and education for the children of war.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to listen closely for God’s call. May we find in our sleep the vision to serve God and one another. May we discover our vocations of love, kindness and compassion in daylight.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for children who have lost imagination. May we energize our young to understand their path in life. May our youth know the depth of their skills, talents and their desire for a better life.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people discouraged by politics, world events, and family disputes. May we discover in our communities the richness of relationships and the beauty of one another and the world. May fear about our futures be eased.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for an awakening to God’s fidelity in our hearts. May we take time each day to breathe deeply, to listen to God’s voice, and to be free to know God’s presence within our hearts.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for those whose bodies are in pain. May we help ease the inner pain of loneliness and fear for people who are lost in disease and ill health. May God’s healing be known in our day.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the souls of our faithful departed. May our loved ones who have died now find the beauty and love of Christ Jesus. May their rest be sure and glorious.

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 latest article from the Congregation of Holy Cross

Please pray for the sick, the discouraged, the outcast and marginalized on January 6, the Memorial of Saint Andre. For all who desire healing: Saint Andre, pray for us.

January 7, 2024

The Epiphany of the Lord

Let us pray for all who search the night for Christ. May we walk new roads of hope along our journey toward God-with-us. May our hearts ache for communion and mercy along our course.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to plant harmony and reconciliation deeply within the earth. May peacetime grow in our day, in every nation under heaven. May people devastated by war find strength from people who understand compassion and love.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to instill joy in our gift giving. May we show up with joyous hearts as we visit the elderly, the sick, the weary. May our presence instill courage for all who are alone in darkness and fear.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to carry integrity within our hearts for our family and those we love. May we encounter the faces of those we love bearing gifts of compassion and good will.  

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for truthfulness within our Church. May false power be replaced with humble love for all people under heaven. May God’s truth be revealed in our common prayer and tender service toward others.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who seldom see the stars. May prisoners find the light of hope in their confinement. May the ill find compassion even when bedridden. May we follow the Light of Christ to every dark corner of the world.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for young people who search for an honest vocation. May all who seek, find. May all who search for Christ discover God’s grace and mercy. May beauty and awe unfold within our children.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people suffering physical diminishment. May healing be upon the bodies of those who live in pain. May Christ bring gifts of calm and comfort in their nighttime restlessness.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our beloved dead. May all who have searched on earth for love now be found in heaven’s delight. May our dead see Christ face to face.

We pray to the Lord.

January 1, 2023 (Monday)

Mary, Mother of God

Let us pray for the end of overwhelming violence and war in Ukraine, the Middle-East and in other nations. May the devastation of death, destruction and loss end in this new year. May we entrust the fragility of earthly life to the tender care of Mary, the Mother of God.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the mission and integrity of the Church. May all who lead us in prayer and service unite all believers in Christ Jesus. May hope be fashioned within us in our new year.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for all mothers, stepmothers, foster mothers, grandmothers and Godmothers on this day of Mary, the Mother of God. May Mary be a source of joy and hope for every household under heaven.

We pray to the Lord. 

Let us pray that the Incarnation of Christ continue to flourish on earth. May we wake up to the needs of our beloved poor. May God’s love be manifest in people who need the basics of life.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for peace in our new year. May families be healed in Christ’s love for them. May the restlessness of our hearts be restored to hope in Christ Jesus.  

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who suffer addiction. May people who are lost in alcohol, eating disorders, and pornography find healing and consolation. May Christ release them from fear and bring them to a new life of love.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our families in the new year. May our children find their true vocations of love in this world. May we learn to love beyond our grievances in family life.  

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our friends and relatives who are ill. May our loved ones who are experiencing new diagnosis of cancer discover a sufficient course of treatment. May hope be lived in households who care for them.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our beloved dead. May God receive our loved ones into the everlasting home of heaven. May they be comforted in the face of Christ Jesus.

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 latest article from The Priest Magazine, January 2024

The Priest Magazine is published by Our Sunday Visitor, Fort Wayne, IN

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

December 31, 2023

Let us pray for Francis, our Pope, and ____, our Bishop. May all leaders serve the love of God and the dignity of all people on earth. May we dedicate our lives to serve all human life.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the family of the Church. May we, born of water and the Holy Spirit, be united in the mission of justice and peace, of integrity and hope. May every worshipping community unite for the betterment of the Church and world.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for peace among families in need of reconciliation. May we listen attentively to those whom we have hurt by our words and actions. May love be a healing balm to all families.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for foster families, divorced families, our families of origin and those whom we trust to be our families. May we all find love and courage in this Christmas season. May love heal our loneliness. May we see the face of God in all whom we love.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the courage to serve people who are different from ourselves. May we welcome families at our borders and encourage families who seek employment and a better life. May hope be found in the wonder of our children.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for families across the world in these times of war and violence. May the utter destruction of war be replaced with hope in the challenges of loss and grief. May we recognize the beauty of all life and humanity.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for children who have been abused. May we bring dignity and courage to our young and may adult children be healed of past violence. May we trust in the loving presence of the Holy Spirit to mend our aching hearts.

We pray to the Lord.

For our elderly who live behind the closed blinds of their rooms. May we not forget those who have loved us in our families and who now need us in their ill-health and aging process.

We pray to the Lord.

For family members who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. May our beloved dead find eternal happiness and light in the face of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.