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Greetings from Fr. Dave
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March 7, 2020I announced last weekend at all Masses that, in response to the coronavirus, we are asking all to be mindful of those who wish not to shake hands at sign of peace or hold hands at Our Father. A simple bow and smile is totally appropriate. And, I print again the prayer of St. Francis DeSales that can help keep this in proper perspective:
Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same understanding Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering or will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.
This weekend in my homily, continuing our Lenten series on personal prayer, my topic is “Making a Morning Offering”. The following is a template for how it can be done.Lenten Challenge: This week, try praying the Morning Prayer (printed below) each morning, paying special attention to the italicized lines in parentheses.Morning Prayer
Loving Father, thank you for the gift of this new day. Thank you for the world you have created, the wonders of nature, and the unique person you have made me. Thank you for loving me, just as I am; for calling me by name and knowing me through and through — and for liking me! I thank you for sending Jesus to be our Savior and as I begin this day I once again acknowledge my need for him. I can’t save myself. Apart from Jesus my life has no purpose and no hope of eternal life. Therefore, I surrender myself to you totally: my thoughts, feelings, dreams, willpower, concerns, joys, abilities and weaknesses. And I offer you everything this day will hold.
(Pause and confide your plans and activities of this day to the Lord)
I commit myself to following your ways, to seeking your will and to being a witness of you. Pour forth your Holy Spirit to transform me and deepen your image in me. I especially pray for the grace to overcome the following weaknesses:
(Confide the special areas you’re working on to the Lord:
bad habits, character defects, recurrent sins)
Father, I thank you for the people you’ve placed in my life to help me, love me and nurture me. As I begin this day I pray for each of them, asking your blessing and protection for them.
(Include by name family members, friends,
those you’re committed to praying for)
I ask for help in dealing well with any trials and temptations that arise today. Give me the grace to be loving, sensitive and tolerant and to readily forgive those who anger or hurt me. May I be a source of encouragement and inspiration to all you bring to me today.
(Pray especially about any specific
challenges you know you’ll face today)
My God, most importantly, help me to remain close to you today — to think of you often, to talk with you frequently, and to always trust that you are with me, protecting me, loving me and bringing good out of everything that happens. All of this I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(Close with an Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be)
Our parish Lent retreat happens this Saturday in the church. We’ve invited three high-level athletes to share how their Catholic faith has shaped their successes and their challenges. Click here for more details!On Sunday, March 15 th at 7:00pm, we are hosting a Praise and Worship session with Youth For Christ. These spirited young folks, many from our parish, do an amazing job musically and spiritually. For a super-duper boost in your Lent journey, I encourage you wholeheartedly to come.This weekend, funeral services were held for Jeane Talcott. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.