Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time and the last day of June. It is hard to phathom that the year is half over. In today's Gospel we hear the familiar story of Jairus' daughter who was ill and Jesus went to be with them. On the way Jesus encountered the woman with the hemmorage who touched Jesus' cloak and was healed. The woman approached Jesus and told Him the truth and she was cured of her affliction.  Jesus continued on and when he reached the house of the official He went inside and took the child's hand and told her to rise. She was healed because of their faith. 

When someone dies we often turn to God and then to our loved ones and those who give us support. We go to those who give us comfort and support. We all have a go to list -- the people we go to first when we need support. For me I generally turn to God first and then to my sister who is always there for me. She has always been my greatest supporter and I know that she is always there for me. Although physically she is about two hours away I always say that she would be here in an hour or less if I needed her. She always takes my call even if it is to say, "everything okay, I will call you right back." And that she does she always calls right back. 

As we reflect on our readings today let us remember that it is our faith that brings us to wholeness and happiness. Faith, the belief in what we hope for and the assurance about what we do not see. Or from Hebrews 11:1 "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Let us live today in faith.

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today we celebrate the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary TIme in the midst of a heat wave. Temperatures are soring and storms are raging in different parts of our country. Everyone is asking when will it end.

In our Gospel today we hear the familiar story of the disciples in a boat with Jesus. Jesus is asleep in the stern when a squall comes upon them. The disciples wake Jesus and ask "do you not care that we are perishing?" At that point Jesus wakes up and commands the sea to be quiet. The disciples are amazed and are in awe of Jesus.

St. Teresa of Avila was going on a journey and prayed for a safe and successful journey. She encountered many calamaties along the way. Teresa asked Jesus why it was so difficult and Jesus' response was, "Teresa don't you know this is how I treat my friends." Her response was "No wonder you have so few of them."

Life is difficult and we face many challenges along the way. It is our faith that pulls us through the difficult moments. We are called to take time to be present with Jesus in all things not just the good or the not so good.  The call is ongoing. We are invited to come to Jesus at all times not just in the difficult ones or when we need something. "Come as you are, that's how I want you," is Jesus' invitation to us.  We do not have to have everything in perfect order. Jesus just want us to come and be at peace with Him.

Father's Day Prayer

 

As we celebrate Father’s Day today we pray:

God our father, we give you thanks and praise for fathers young and old.

We pray for young fathers, newly embracing their vocation; may they find courage and perseverance to balance work, family and faith in joy and sacrifice.

We pray for our own fathers around the world whose children are lost or suffering; may they know that the god of compassion walks with them in their sorrow.

We pray for men who are not fathers but still mentor and guide us with fatherly love and advice.

We remember fathers, grandfather, and great grandfathers who are no longer with us but who live forever in our memory and nourish us with their love. Amen

Source: The Catholic Telegraph

Jubilee

Today we celebrated some 425 years of religious profession shared among seven of our sisters. We had six present with us and one who had died earlier this year.  Their ministries include: all forms of education, missionary work in Indonesia, Thailand, community leadership and much more.  Each one has shared her gifts and talents with God's people and she has lived faithfully to her commitment as an Ursuline Sisters.  We honor and celebrate:

70 Years

Mildred Haipt

Carole Marie Keaney

Marie-Celine Miranda

Dolores Yanshak (RIP)

60 Years

Mary Alice Duggan

Eileen Finnerty

25 Years

Jean Maire Humphries

Trinity Sunday of Laudato Si Week

 

Today we mark the last day of Laudato Si Week. For the last week our Ursuline JPIC team have provided daily reflections on Laudato Si. May we always care for all creation.

Trinity Sunday of Laudato Si' Week

 

"Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you. Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is." LS, A Christian Prayer in Union with Creation   “It is communion that makes things ‘be’; nothing exists without it, not even God.” John Zizioulas

Reflection and Commitment Sunday

 

Today we reach the last day of Laudato Si' Week, but we don't want the activities carried out during these days to be forgotten. Today is rather a time to reflect on the changes we have made and to commit ourselves to sustaining them. For we know that personal changes in our lifestyle become cultural changes. Let's continue to build a more sustainable future together! For more details, visit: laudatosiweek.org

 

Laudato SI Week May 19 - 26, 2024

 

Laudato Si Week (May 19-26, 2024) Let's Celebrate Seeds of Hope

 

The 2023 Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum amplified the urgent call of Laudato Si’ to ecological conversion, to a “pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home.” The theme of Laudato Si’ Week 2024, Seeds of Hope, calls to mind the words of Meister Eckhart, "What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action." We invite you to a daily period of contemplative prayer during Laudato Si’ Week 2024, to a daily planting of the seeds of hope in the soil of contemplation. If you can, pray outside. Begin your prayer by becoming aware of your place in the communion of Creation. Press your feet into the ground. Become conscious of your breathing. Feel the sun or breeze on your skin. Listen for the voices of other creatures. When you feel centered, read the day’s quotes from Laudato Si’ or Laudate Deum and from the other authors. How do they relate to each other? Pick a word or phrase that calls to you. Let that word draw you into silence. Let the seed of hope sink into the soil of contemplation. What are you called to reap in the harvest of action? (These reflections for Laudato Si Week are courtesy of Office of Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation, Sisters of Charity of New York Office of Peace, Justice and Ecological Integrity, Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth) Pentecost Sunday, May 19   “Hence, “the creatures of this world no longer appear to us under merely natural guise because the risen One is mysteriously holding them to himself and directing them towards fullness as their end. The very flowers of the field and the birds which his human eyes contemplated and admired are now imbued with his radiant presence”. If “the universe unfolds in God, who fills it completely… there is a mystical meaning to be found in a leaf, in a mountain trail, in a dewdrop, in a poor person’s face”. The world sings of an infinite Love: how can we fail to care for it?” LD 65 “God is God as Spirit-Sophia, the mobile, pure, people-loving Spirit who pervades every wretched corner, wailing at the waste, releasing power that enables fresh starts. Her energy quickens the earth to life, her beauty shines in the stars, her strength breaks forth in every fragment of shalom and renewal…. From generation to generation, she enters into holy souls, and not so holy ones, to make them friends of God and prophets, thereby making human beings allies of God’s redeeming purpose. What we can say is this: Sophia-God dwells in the world at its center and at its edges, an active vitality crying out in labor, birthing the new creation. Fire, wind, water, and the color purple are her signs.”  Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ

Mother's Day Prayer

 

A Prayer in Gratitude for Our Mothers

Good and Gentle God,
we pray in gratitude for our mothers and for all the women of theory who have joined with you in the wonder of bringing forth new life. You who became human through a woman, grant to all mothers the courage they need to face the uncertain future that life with children always brings.
Give them the strength to live and to be loved in return, not perfectly, but humanly.
Give them the faithful support of husband, family and friends as they care for the physical and spiritual growth of their children.
Give them joy and delight in their children to sustain them through the trials of motherhood. Most of all, give them the wisdom to turn to you for help when they need it most. Amen.

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