A Morning Prayer
The following prayer is one that I have shared with you before. It is a combination of the Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours with some additions inspired by the spirituality of Ignatius of Loyola who founded the Jesuits. I find it particularly helpful as I pray with scripture.
God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me.
Thank you for this day Lord.
Give me the desire...
to calm myself (deep breaths) in you,
to trust in the goodness of your presence,
to remain in your love now, today and always.
Give me the grace of discernment and the courage to act on it,
especially the discernment of good and evil.
As I go through my day (or read this scripture passage) may your grace re-illumine something that I have noticed before,
that you want me to notice again NOW.
May your grace magnify something that I have not noticed before,
even something small, that you want me to notice NOW.
May your grace diminish anything that is distracting me from what you want me to notice NOW.
May your grace sharpen my focus and expand my awareness.
May the flow of grace facilitate your will and purpose for me, connecting your word, my life experiences and my heart.
Help me to see what you want me to see,
to hear what you want me to hear and
to feel what you want me to feel,
so that I may return to you what you have given to me as a gift.
Now read a passage of Scripture using the above to guide your reflection.
Conclude with either the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) or the Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68-79) on alternating days.
Amen.
Updated Transition Information
I want to clarify some information regarding my plans for the next few years and our transition to new Pastoral Leadership here at Holy Family as they have changed since my initial plan was articulated. I will be taking a six-month sabbatical beginning July 1, 2027, returning for Christmas 2027 and then will retire on July 1, 2028.
This change in plan will give the Priest Placement Board and the Cardinal additional time to surface candidates who are willing to serve here as Pastor and or Associate Pastor.
A sabbatical is suggested for priests around the time of their transitions to new assignments. I hope the sabbatical time will enable me to discern my future. Although I do not have definite plans yet, I am certain that after retiring I will move to another parish in the Archdiocese and, God willing, help with the sacramental needs of several parishes, including Holy Family, as the group of retired priests here do. I will continue to provide updates on this process.
Some Important Offerings This Week
On Monday, September 28 at 7:00pm, Holy Family will host a presentation by an Afghan refugee who served as an interpreter for the U.S. Army. His family was assisted by our Welcome the Stranger Ministry in relocating after years of petitioning for resettlement. We invite you to attend to better understand the challenges migrants and refugees face as they seek safety and security for their families.
Weaving Our Inheritance: Make Them Hear You – Tuesday, September 29, 7:00pm
A celebration of women in the Church who have been the voices of justice, wisdom, compassion, hope and perseverance. Come and be inspired by the voices of St. Phoebe, Dorothy Day and Sr. Thea Bowman.