Seventeeth Sunday in Ordinary Time

 

Our world is in a most difficult place right now. Wars are raging, fires are out of control, violence abounds, political rivalries are in motion, and the Olympics have begun. It is a time when emotions are strained, and we may feel helpless. Political figures are maligning one another, and social media has blown up with disparaging remarks and comments.  During these times one may ask what can I do? It is a time for deep prayer and self-control when speaking to others.

Our gospel today speaks of the feeding of the 5, 000. It was a situation where Jesus did not turn the people away. Jesus asks what was available to help the people. He doesn’t create out of nothing. Jesus asks us to simply share what we have. We are called to share our time, talent, what we have with one another in faith. Perhaps as we navigate these crazy times we can remember to share what we have with one another in faith.

Prayer for Peace

 

Last evening during a scheduled rally in Pennsylvania, Donald Trump was injured in what has been called an assassination attempt. Today let us hold our world in prayer and pray for peace in these turbulent times.

A Prayer for World Peace

We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right.

May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence, a new world where fear shall no longer lead persons to commit injustice, nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all humans were created.

- Author Unknown

4th of July Weekend

On Thursday we celebrated the 248th Anniversary of independence from Great Britian. It is a day filled with family barbecues, parades, and outstanding firework displays. As we mark the end of the 4th of July long weekend let us continue to pray for our nation.  May we always hold to the ideals set forth by our forefathers and foremothers.  May God continue to bless the USA.

God, source of all freedom,

this day is bright with the memory of those
who declared life and liberty are your gift to every human being.

Help us to continue a good work begun long ago.

Make our vision clear and our will strong:
that only in human solidarity will we find liberty,
and justice only in the honor that belongs to every life on earth.

Turn our hearts toward the family of nations:
to understand the ways of others, to offer friendship,
and to find safety only in the common good of all.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

– from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers

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