Reflection......

God’s Absolute Love – the Love that Values All 


When one person loves something, that thing has value to that one person.  When many people love the same thing it has value to the society.  But when God loves something, it has eternal value beyond measure!  

So it is with humans.  God loved us even before we loved Him (1 John 4:19).   God showed this love in His son, Christ Jesus (John 3:16) and still pours out His love onto our hearts  (Romans 5:5).  That God loves and values us is absolute truth.  


God knit us together in the womb and shows His love (Psalm 139:13,  Isaiah 44:24) and He understands and knows our souls and loves us completely (Psalm 139:14,  Luke 1:41).  In fact, He knew us and loved us even before we were born!  (Jeremiah 1:5)

With God’s love comes value and worth!  We are all His children!!  Each person, whether born or unborn, young or old, healthy or sick, has that eternal God-given worth!  

Today, take a moment to recognize the immeasurable value and worth of every person you meet.  It is your opportunity to love and cherish all people ….. beginning with the person in the mirror!                            

You formed me with Your hands; You made me...   (Job 10:8)    

Prayer Intentions.....

+ For our Holy Father, Pope Leo; Archbishop McKnight; and all religious that serve us.

+ For the Holy Spirit to move in our lives and parishes.

+ For all newly ordained Deacons and Priests, Taylr Bahr and all young people discerning their called vocation.

+ For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life and continued blessings for married couples.

+ For God’s mercy on the world especially for all those in war torn countries and those persecuted for their faith. 

+ For all farmers, ranchers, their crops and livestock. 

+ For the end of abortion and peace in our world.

+ For all our faithful departed, those that will die this day and all souls in purgatory, especially those with no one to pray for them.

 

+ Lord hear our prayers +  Please pray for the following..... 

Preparing for a New Baby:  Grace Adams, Diana Banta, Shelby Hoffman, Aubrey Patrona, Alexis Spears, Rachel Wilkins 

Preparing for Marriage:  Jack Adams & Emelyn Carpenter 

Military Service:  Master Sgt. John Edwards (Army), Lt. Erich Eifert (Air Force), Pvt. Jayden Fabray (Army), Staff Sgt. Noah Foster (Air Force), Pvt. Owen Sazalsky (Army), 2nd Lt. Tierney Woitas (Air Force) 

Overseas:  Michael Adams (Egypt), Sarah Fesperman (Italy), Dakota Ranallo (Osaka), Dustin & Christina Chapman & family (Germany)  

Special prayers:  For those with no one to pray for them, the Holy Souls in purgatory and those that will die this day      

Sick & Shut In:  Brooklyn Allen, Donna Allen, Mick Allen, Katherine Austin, Sandra Austin, Jennifer Baldwin, Mike Baldwin, Dan Barlow, Carol Barnes, Rachel Barraza, Kavin Bazil, Alden Beyer, Darlene Black, Debbie Black, Dominic Bowen, Toni Bowling, Jeri Boyer, Derrick & Marie Braden, Stewart Braden, Robert Brown, Jim Buffo, Paula Butler, Sean Callewaert, Norma Carrasco, Ric Carson, Linda Castoe, John Caudle, Marcia Caudle, Patricia Cesario, Mark Chester, Ryne Cormode, Peggy Hegg Counts, Courtney Cowan, Robin Crane, Greg Crawford, Jerilynn Curtiss, Mark Davidson, Rhonda Davis, Brent Dean, Ken Decker, John Diaz, Dennis Doebele, Dorothy Duncan, Kim Dunaway, Norman Eccles, Susan Faler, Frank Farrow, Lori Flood, Ronald Foster, Kelli Fraas, Liz Fraas, Mary Fraas, Aubrea Freekrsen, Jett Gast, Crystal Geary, Loren Gilmore, Chris Grow, Dan Gruber, Bob & Cindy Haight, Terri Halfmann, Rita Harper, Kristen Hayes, Darren Heinse, Stella Hernandez, Sallee Hess, Kyle Hinterweger, Gabby Hudson, Karen Hudson, Jimmy Hugunin, Oliver Johnson, Steve Johnson, Kendall Jones, Carter Keehn, Kennedy Keehn, Molly Keehn, Paul Kirk, Marilyn Kirk, Phil Kirk, Lou Ann Korbe, Jean Krause, Craig Latham, Chris Leary, Shawn Lucca, Joyce Lutz, Kelsey Lyon, Luca McIntosh, Jody Mahoney, John Massoth, Jim Mast, Luella Masters, Sam Matthews, Breanna McBride, Willow McGlothlin, Tim McMillan, Mike Meats, Lily Miller, Tessa Miller, David Morgan, Linda Munoz, Heddy Neimeyer, Susan Newbolt, Shirley Nolan, Gina Nowak, Ellen Ohl, Louise Ohl, Kasten Payer, Kathy Payne, Renee Pemberton, Harlee Perry, Charlie Pilkington, Diane Plumberg, Dean Pitt, Bob Powell, Cindy Powell, Michele Ramirez, Anthony Ranallo, Matt Rhea, Luca Riggs, Charlotte Roecker-Parson, Addysen Roney, Greg Ruff, David Russell, Michael Russell, Jourdin Rust, Linda Salava, Vanessa Sazalsky, Scott Scheve, Don Setter, Sam Sharon, Patty Shelly, Sarah Shove, Kelsie Son, Carolyn Smith, Judy Smith, Renee Smith, Becky Stapp, Leo Stice, River Rose Stuart, Harold Swearinger, Keith Van Horn, Junelle Varvel, Haydn Ward, John Waner, Barbara Warner, Caitlyn Wright, Jeremy Young, Tom Young, Rodney Zike, Teressa Zink

Please contact the office if you have any updates or know of anyone to add to the list.

 

 

 

Prayers for Everyday

Prayer to St. Isidore

Dearest Saint Isidore, you know how normal it is to cultivate the land for you were employed as a farm laborer for the greater part of your life.  Although you received God’s help materially through Angels in the field, all farmers and gardeners are aided spiritually to see the wonders God has strewn on this earth.  Encourage all farmers and gardeners in their labors and help them to feed numerous people. Amen

 

Prayer to Your Guardian Angel

Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day, be at my side, to Light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen

 

Traveler’s Prayer

Dear Lord, as I journey through life, open my eyes to see the needs around me. Give me a heart willing to serve your people. Help me to love as you loved. Grant me wisdom in word and action to best respond to the situation presented. I am grateful for my faith and the opportunities to serve you throughout my life. Amen.

 

Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Glory be to the Father, Who by His almighty power and love, created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. Glory be to the Son, Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of heaven. Glory be to the Holy Spirit, Who has sanctified me in the Sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. Glory be to the three adored Persons of the Most Holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

 

 Prayer to Our Lord, Jesus Christ 

O God who works wonders, we marvel in the Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus, your Son. In Christ, you have redeemed us and brought us to life. May our “alleluia” proclaim the Resurrection and profess our willingness to join ourselves to the Paschal Mystery. Grant us, we pray, O Lord, eyes to see you and ears to hear your voice so that we might grow stronger in faith like the disciples on that first Easter. Help us to bear witness to your Son’s Resurrection and Ascension and give us a desire to seek and serve you among the living. May your Holy Spirit fill us with joy, rousing our hearts to proclaim Christ, the victor King who opened the gates of Heaven and sits at your right hand. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. Alleluia!

 

Prayer for Married Couples

Almighty and eternal God, You blessed the union of married couples so that they might reflect the union of Christ with his Church; look with kindness on them. Renew their marriage covenant, increase your love in them, and strengthen their bond of peace so that, with their children, they may always rejoice in the gift of your blessing. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.  

 

Prayer to Know My Vocation

I glorify You, God in all that I do. In mind, body, and spirit I give my best to You. Help me to follow your will no matter the call: sister, brother or priest, I promise my all. If you call me to marriage, I promise to love, and to teach my own children to seek grace from above. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

  

Prayer of St. Louis de Montfort 

O Jesus living in Mary, come and live in Your servants, in the spirit of Your holiness, in the fullness of Your might, in the perfection of Your ways, in the truth of Your virtues, in the communion of Your mysteries. Subdue every hostile power, the devil, the world and the flesh, in the strength of Your Spirit, for the glory of Your Father, Amen.

 

Prayer for Our Children

O Jesus, Lover of Children, bestow Your Most precious graces on those whom You have confided to our care. Increase in them Faith, Hope and Charity. May Your love lead them to solid piety, inspiring them with dread for sin, love of work and an ardent desire of worthily approaching Your Holy Table. Preserve in them innocence and purity of heart; and if they should offend You, grant them the grace of a prompt and sincere repentance. From Your Tabernacle watch over them day and night; protect them in all their ways. Grant that they may acquire the knowledge that they need to embrace the state of life to which You have called them. Grant us a sincere love, constant vigilance and generous devotedness towards them. Grant us all consolation on earth and eternal reward in heaven. Amen.

 

Prayer for Vocations

Heavenly Father, with a deep trust in the love that flows from the heart of your Son, and by the gifts of your Holy Spirit, give to the seminarians, novices and all young people of the Archdiocese the courage to respond generously when you call them to the priest-hood and religious life. Give them strong examples of holy priests and religious. Through the intercession of the saints and by our prayers, help them pattern their lives after Mary, who was not afraid to let it be done to her according to your Word (Lk 1:38).  We ask this through Christ the Lord. Amen

 

Divine Mercy Chaplet 

Recite this prayer on rosary beads.

Begin making the sign of the cross and then recite: Our Father… Hail Mary… Apostles Creed.

On the Our Father beads recite: Eternal Father, I offer You, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

On the Hail Mary beads recite: For the sake of his sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

Conclusion - recite 3 times: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. 

 

The Jesus Prayer 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,  have mercy on me, a sinner.   Amen.

 

Act of Faith   

O my God, I firmly believe in you,  Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe in Jesus Christ   As my Savior and Redeemer,  And in the holy Catholic Church and all  the truths it teaches.   Amen.

 

Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Glory be to the Father,  Who by His almighty power and love created me, making me in the image and likeness of God. 
Glory be to the Son,  Who by His Precious Blood delivered me from hell,  and opened for me the gates of heaven. 
Glory be to the Holy Spirit,  Who has sanctified me in the Sacrament of Baptism, and continues to sanctify me by the graces I receive daily from His bounty. 
Glory be to the three adored Persons  of the Most Holy Trinity, now and forever.  Amen.

 

 

Faith Minute

St. Paul reminds us that, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

As married people, we are called to imitate Jesus by laying down our lives for our spouses or children, a theme that runs through many of our most cherished love stories. We see great nobility in one spouse or parent going above and beyond, possibly even giving their life to save the other or their children, but this is not the normal way we are called to live this out. If we are willing to die for each other literally, we must be willing to die to ourselves in little ways… while our spouse or family member is still a sinner.

Here are some ideas to ‘die to self’:

• Pick up those socks or left out items without comment.

• Answer a bad attitude with lavish affirmation.

• Do one of your spouse’s chores without bringing attention to the fact.

• Seek understanding instead of the “last word.”

Lent offers us many opportunities to connect with Jesus on a more personal level. It you meditate on the Stations of the Cross, you can see how Jesus not only gave his physical life, but also how he lived and gave for those he encountered on his way.

How can you meet Jesus today?

How can you ‘die to self’ and be Jesus to your spouse or family?

Praying with the Saints

Feast Day of St. Joseph – March 19

St. Joseph is a man of great spirit though there is very little about the life of Joseph in Scripture. We know that he was the chaste husband of Mary, the foster father of Jesus, a carpenter and a man of simple wealth. We also know that he came from the royal lineage of King David. We can see from his actions in scripture that Joseph was a compassionate man and obedient to the will of God. He also loved Mary and Jesus and wanted to protect and provide for them. Since Joseph does not appear in Jesus' public life, at his death, or resurrection, many historians believe Joseph had probably died before Jesus entered public ministry. St. Joseph is the patron of the universal Church, fathers, the dying and social justice

 

Pope Pius XI gave us this prayer to Christ our King

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the King of the whole world. All that was made was created for You. Exercise Your sovereign rights over me. I renew my baptismal vows, renouncing Satan with all his works and his false glamour, and I promise to live as a good Christian. In particular, I pledge myself to do all in my power to make the rights of God and of Your Church triumph in the world. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You whatever I do, however feeble, to obtain that all human hearts may admit Your sacred kingship, so that the kingdom of Your peace will be established throughout the whole world. Amen.

 

A Prayer Before Study, Testing or Presentations By St. Thomas Aquinas

Creator of all things, true source of light and wisdom, origin of all being, graciously let a ray of your light penetrate the darkness of my understanding. Take from me the double darkness in which I have been born, an obscurity of sin and ignorance. Give me a keen understanding, a retentive memory, and the ability to grasp things correctly and fundamentally. Grant me the talent of being exact in my explanations and the ability to express myself with thoroughness and charm. Point out the beginning, direct the progress, and help in the completion. I ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 

Praying with St. Ignatius Loyola

Dearest Lord, teach me to be generous: teach me to serve You as You deserve: to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not so seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward save that of knowing I am doing Your will. Amen. 

 

Praying with St. Patrick

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. Amen 

 

Praying with St. Anthony 

St. Anthony, you found quiet time to retreat into private communion with God to replenish your life with new strength. Help me in the midst of my busy life to be prayerful and to seek the Spirit’s guiding presence with my heart. Amen. 

 

Praying with St. James 

O glorious Apostle, St. James, who by reason of thy fervent and generous heart was chosen by Jesus to be a witness of His glory, whose very name is a symbol of warfare and victory: obtain for us strength and consolation in the unending warfare of this life, that, having constantly and generously followed Jesus, we may be victors in heaven. Amen 

 

Peace Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is doubt, faith; 

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light; and 

Where there is sadness, joy. 

Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love. 

For it is in giving that we receive; 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and

It is in dying that we are born to eternal life. 

Amen.