Prayers of the Faithful (intercessions) October 16, 2011

29^th Sunday Ordinary Time (Year A)

·       That the leaders of the church, in the spirit of Paul, preach the gospel not merely in words but in the mighty power of the Holy Spirit,

 ………………..Let us pray to the one who alone is Lord.

·       That as the Lord guided Cyrus for the sake of Israel, God will guide our country, its leaders, and its citizens, that justice and peace will be signs of our trust in God,

 ………………..Let us pray to the one who alone is Lord.

·       That like the apostles, all the people in the church may live their faith, and labor in love for the poor, the homeless, the imprisoned, the persecuted, and the sick, and that by God’s power the suffering of all may be relieved,   

 ………………..Let us pray to the one who alone is Lord.

·       That all in our community may know what is God’s, and what is Caesar’s, and may have the courage so to live,

 ………………..Let us pray to the one who alone is Lord.

·       That all who have recently died, especially the innocently aborted, that they quickly find themselves in the loving and eternal grasp of God’s arms. 

………………..Let us pray to the one who alone is Lord.

For Men Only !

The Famous PCT (Pacific Crest Trail)

Please Pray For Our Friends In San Lucas - Guatemala

As many of you know, tragedy has struck Guatemala once again with rains, mud slides, a sink hole the size of a city block in the middle of the city that has wounded many, killed some, and has affected 1000's.

This is the town that we have visited year after year with our children, we have many friends that live there and I ask that you please pray for them.

Beaten Down.... Yet Strengthened!

Do you even have those days, 

or even those weeks when you feel that people and situations are just pounding you down?

That the devil is pursuing you relentlessly, no matter what you do, he continues to attack you.

That even some of your friends, or acquaintances, begin to act in evil ways against you. 

It sure can take its toll on you, and can even begin to instill doubt at times.

We had a good friend of ours tell us the other day that when one is acting in such a way that Goodness, Truth, and Love is being produced, that it is just then that the devil will fight his strongest against you. He is the cunningest of them all and will use any means to stop the good fruit from being produced.

This friend of ours also reminded us of our public acceptance during ordination of our commitment to not only serve Christ's people, but to lay down our lives and carry His cross. When one lives a good life, a comfortable life, a joyful life, it is easy to forget the commitment to suffering that one has made, especially when the harm comes on so suddenly.

Then I remember the Psalm (36):

Sin directs the heart of the wicked; their eyes are closed to the fear of God.

For they live with the delusion: their guilt will not be known and hated.

Empty and false are the words of their mouth; they have ceased to be wise and do good.

In their beds they hatch plots; they set out on a wicked way; they do not reject evil.

LORD, your love reaches to heaven; your fidelity, to the clouds.

Your justice is like the highest mountains; your judgments, like the mighty deep; all living creatures you sustain, LORD.

How precious is your love, O God! We take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

We feast on the rich food of your house; from your delightful stream you give us drink.

For with you is the fountain of life, and in your light we see light.

Continue your kindness toward your friends, your just defense of the honest heart.

Do not let the foot of the proud overtake me, nor the hand of the wicked disturb me.

There make the evildoers fall; thrust them down, never to rise.   .

I can be rezealant, can trust and have faith, and can even endure suffering for my God, knowing that it can be connected to His suffering, but to see those that I love suffer and be persecuted for our beliefs, for our faith, brings sorrow to my heart. . And why, just because some of those around us have allowed evil to dwell within them.... .

And then I remember that the forces of evil are much greater than just a particular face, or a particular person, it is a force that endlessly and tirelessly attempts to invade others and works its manipulative powers for the destruction of all that is good in life.... I know that Sometimes (evil) or unholiness attempts to work in me, in those around me, but if we are protected by the Sacraments, a clean heart, a virtuous life, united in prayer and relationship with God, then it has no alternative but to seek out others who are vulnerable, have rejected the grace through personal sin and pride, to be the catalyst for perpetuating evil. .

This is the unending war that will go on until the end of time. yet we are Strengthened by the understanding that in our weakness we are actually more powerful in this fight. Yes we fall at times, but that just feeds our humility, allows us the relinquish some our own desires when we see our faults and  consequences of self-centered living, yet it allows us to grow in closer union with God's desires, God's ways, and to persevere for His Kingdom. .

We will continue to fight the Good fight, not in attempts to be divisive, nor to create scandal. Our attempts will be to unite, to spread the GOOD news, salvation, repentance, love, forgiveness, and understanding. .

Yet it should never be neglected or misunderstood, that the forces of evil at at work all around us and attempting to bring discord, disunity, anger, resentment, jealousy, greed and pride amongst us all....

Confirmation, Grotto Blessing and Dinner with the Bishop.

We drove up to beautiful Mount Shasta.

and arrived at Saint Anthony's Parish.

It is a small mountain church, about 400 families.

Immediately I recognized the beautiful altar stained glass that has become a trademark of Father Canny. 

We have a similar one in our parish, thanks to Father Canny.

Then the bishop arrived and Mass began.

(Yes that is me, with my good friends Deacon Rich and Father Canny, along with Bishop Soto.)

Opening Prayer

Here are the children receiving their confirmation.

 Oops!   

I began by reading the Bishops part of the prayer, quick fix and all went well.

Father Tim (The Bishop's Assistant) making sure all went smooth.

A reminder of what this is all about and who is present in the tabernacle.

 Receiving the gifts.

Beginning the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

There is something so very special about serving a Bishop at Mass.

You could feel Christ's presence.

The honor of serving Christ's Precious Blood.

Our Bishop.

Then we gathered at the New Grotto for the dedication and blessing.

There was a great crown that attended the ceremony.

The Blessing.

There were even a group of bikers that came. 

At first they looked a little intimidating, but then realizing that they were Catholic, everything changed.

The Bishops visiting with one of the Bikers.

Father Canny and Bishop Soto joining the club! 

Watch out "Hell's Angels"!

Giving Father Canny a few pointers.

Actually, Father Canny was their Pastor 18 years ago and they came many miles for the dedication of yet another grotto. Every Parish that Father has been assigned to he has establish a grotto in respect and honor to Mother Mary.

Sacraments on wheels.

The Grotto.

Not large in size, but beautiful and an oasis for prayer.

Our Lady

Inside the cove, a wonderful painting on the ceiling.

A closer look

A view from behind the grotto, a lovely place.

Give it a month or two and there will be blooming flowers everywhere.

Father Canny said that out of the 400 parish families, at least 260 helped with the project. That says a lot!

And then Liz and I were invited to have dinner with the Bishop and a few local priests.

We had great food and were spoiled by the Host (Father Canny) and enjoyed the conversation.

After being on a diet for many months, the rich food was even more delicious.

It was a perfect day!

Bible Reading Marathon in Redding California (National Day Of Prayer)

In honor of the National Day of Prayer scheduled for May 6th

the Christians of Redding California are doing something very special.

They are gathering

At City Hall

Begining on Monday May 3rd

and reading scripture around the clock, 24 hours a day. 

(Deacon Pat reading from the book of Jeremiah.)

Under the guidance of people like John Evanoff, the bible will be read from cover to cover. 

The whole bible will be read with its conclusion on May 7th.

Each person is assigned 15 minutes of proclaiming the words from the Holy Bible.

Here is Timmy Baugh sharing the inspired words of scripture.

I can't help but think that this public act of faith can only bring joy to our heavenly Father.