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CLICK HERE to read, FOSTERING HOPE FOUNDER from the Gazette, Colorado Springs

Nick Colarelli died yesterday. Nick and his family founded Fostering Hope, an organization to support children in the foster care system. He opened doors to many children in foster care so they could be welcomed into a supportive environment and a stable future. He reached out to faith communities to help support such children. He wanted every child to know security and safety at home and in school. He wanted people of faith to teach children basic skills of cooking or financial responsibility or gardening or whatever skill they wanted to pass on to another generation. Nick’s goal was to invite foster children into a life of adulthood and trust.

Nick was a psychologist. He was a man of deep faith. He spent many years working with clergy in Saint Louis, Missouri and in Colorado. His genuine conversations inspired many people to go the extra mile in service of others. Nick wanted the best for people. He wanted clergy to move beyond their control of parish life and into supporting the human needs of all people. He desired the hungry to be fed and the uneducated to know God. He set flames of hope alive in many hearts, including mine.  

Nick and Margaret raised a family that inspired me while I was their pastor in Colorado. I will never forget going to the gravesite on Margaret’s funeral day. His children and grandchildren all huddled around him as our prayers ended. He was at the center of their concern at that moment. Margaret was the love of Nick’s life and at that moment I watched the family surround him with great compassion. I will never forget their care and love for their father.

My richest memories of Nick were the times we shared lunch. He would call me and ask if I was available the next day to meet at noon. I knew the routine. I never declined. We sat together over Cobb salad and he would lead the conversation. On most occasions, I would take a pen from my shirt pocket and take notes. Nick spoke of his dreams about the Church. He so wanted leadership to be shared. He wanted me to understand the dignity of lay involvement in the Church. He affirmed me when I had done something positive in his eyes. He also told me how to improve my role as pastor. He shared with me his grief when tears came as guest to our table.  

May the angels lead you into paradise;

May the martyrs come to welcome you

And take you to the holy city,

The new and eternal Jerusalem.

Nick, rest in peace.

October 22, 2023

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

For an end of war, hatred, and violence. May the Middle East and Ukraine find hope during these days of unspeakable atrocities. May every nation find hope and comfort in our lifetime.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children’s future. May their eyes not focus on small screens of technology alone, but on the beauty and wonder of our time on earth. May they be inspired to work diligently for justice across the globe.

We pray to the Lord.

For the welfare of the sick and discouraged. May every person find financial and personal support during the ravages of disease and discomfort. May God ease the pain of us who wait for healing.

We pray to the Lord.

For the end of racism, misogyny, and bullying. May we learn to acknowledge and respect all people. May we ease the tensions of false power and corrupt control.  May God mend our bitterness.

We pray to the Lord.

For people suffering mental and emotional illness. May our minds and lives be eased by the healing grace of God’s love. May we find our home in the comfort of those who support us.

We pray to the Lord.

For the healing of our planet. May we ease the burdens of our earth.  May we stand within healthy forests and drink clean water. May we breathe the joy of fresh air and speak out for the benefit of our children’s future.

We pray to the Lord.

For our first-responders, medical technicians, and all medical personnel. May those who care for us in emergencies find the courage and support of God. May hope find home in their lives of service.

We pray to the Lord.

For our elderly who tire of being alone. May the restless nights of our elderly be calmed by God’s tenderness and comfort for their pain. May hope become their food.

We pray to the Lord.

For our family members who have died. May our loved ones find home in God’s promise that all things on earth belong to heaven.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK here to read today’s scriptures

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Fr. David died at Holy Cross on October 1, 2023

CLICK HERE to read my latest article in Monthly Reflection Series from the Congregation of Holy Cross

October 15, 2023

Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Let us pray for Francis, our Pope, for ___, our Bishop. May our international needs for reform and integrity be made known to every leader. May the Holy Spirit break through any resistance for our future.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for sustained hope in days of violence and war. May people of every land and nation find assured peace to raise children and sleep restfully at night. May courage become our bread.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for couples who desire a commitment of love and marriage. May we all support our children and their future children. May we assist our newly married couples in good times and in bad.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for a new awareness of integrity for political leaders. May every nation attend to the needs of people struggling in poverty and hunger. May we all be given opportunities to live in peace under heaven.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people weakened by ill health. May our sick and elderly discover hope amid a new diagnosis and the uncertain moments of treatments and new medications.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to welcome strangers and sojourners through our church doors. May our communities be enhanced by hospitality toward people different from ourselves.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the health and well-being of our earth. May we work for clean water, quality air, and fresh foods for everyone under heaven.   

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who have fallen ill this week. May we reach out to people who most need us when their health fails. May we work to comfort our friends and neighbors.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who have died. May we lift up our hearts in prayer for people who have loved us on earth. May God wipe away every tear from our eyes.

We pray to the Lord.

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October 8, 2023

Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Let us pray for our leaders in faith. May we all seek the fruit of God’s Kingdom. May we set our sights on caring for one another in the name of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people living with crippling anxiety. May we help ease the emotional burdens of our loved ones with patience and tenderness.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for all healthcare workers. May the people who bathe the bodies of our loved ones, those who diagnose disease, those who stay awake in the nighttime, and those who prescribe medications, all find hope and comfort in their dedication.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for people who long to be loved. May the emotional burdens that keep us isolated be released in the loving care of Christ Jesus. May we all find comfort in God’s extraordinary mercy.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for families who need food and housing. May we work diligently for the benefit of our neighbors to find sustaining protection. May God send angels of mercy to safeguard our children.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for the end of war and violence. May our emotional burdens be eased in peace and harmony. May killings end and gunfire be replaced with the fires of love and integrity on our city streets.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray to live the message of God’s Kingdom on earth. May the harmony of heaven be manifest on earth. May justice be born among all peoples and nations.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for miracles when families are threatened by abuse. May our loved ones find emotional support when family members turn on one another with violence. May we learn the signs of abuse to keep our children from harm.

We pray to the Lord.

Let us pray for our loved ones who have died. May grief be eased for those who have taken their last breath. May the dead find home in the shelter of God’s forgiveness and mercy.

We pray to the Lord.