Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders
of our nation won liberty for themselves and for us,
and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn:
Grant, we ask You, that all people of this land
may have the grace to fight and maintain our liberties
in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with You
July 4, 2020
July 3, 2020
O Glorious St. Thomas,
your grief for Jesus was such that it would not
let you believe he had risen unless you
actually saw him and touched his wounds.
But your love for Jesus was equally great
and it led you to give up your life for him.
Pray for us that we may grieve for our sins
which were the cause of Christ's sufferings.
July 2, 2020
Because I am obnoxious, forgive me Lord.
Because I am dishonest, forgive me Lord.
Because I am egotistical, forgive me Lord.
Because I am undisciplined, forgive me Lord.
Because I am weak, forgive me Lord.
Because I am arrogant, forgive me Lord.
Because I am self-centered, forgive me Lord,
Because I am insincere, forgive me Lord.
July 1, 2020
Hope Center co-worker
July 1, 2020
One of my passions is in the area of ecological justice, so I decided to initiate a recycling program in the parish in Raiwaqa, Fiji, where I am assigned and launch it during the Season of Creation to share my passion with others. The program was designed to help the women of that parish. At first, it did not garner much interest among the ladies, but after promoting and advertising it during the Sunday Masses, it gradually caught their attention and they signed up to join.
July 1, 2020
It took a long time for me to discern my full-time ministry until I finally found myself working with mentally and developmentally challenged individuals at Ai Jia (House of Love) Development Center in Taiwan.
July 1, 2020
O God, Who wills not the death of a sinner
but rather that he be converted and live,
grant we ask you, through the intercession
of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin,
Saint Joseph, her spouse,
Blessed Junipero Serra, and all the saints,
an increase of laborers for your Church,
fellow laborers with Christ to spend
and consume themselves for souls
June 30, 2020
Gracious God. Hear this our prayer in these disturbing times.
We ask you to hear the sounds of those who are
gasping for each breath in hospitals, nursing homes
and old age facilities, and those suffering alone
on the streets of our cities and towns.
Reach out with your healing power
to those who are grieving the loss of loved ones.
June 29, 2020
Seventy years ago, if a person wanted to become a Catholic they attended “convert classes.” A priest usually gave weekly talks on the important Catholic dogmas and the Sacraments of the Church. Then the “converts” would be baptized, perhaps on a Sunday or perhaps not. The baptism would usually be celebrated separately from Mass.
June 29, 2020
O God, whose right hand raised up blessed Peter,
when he walked upon the water and began to sink,
and thrice delivered his fellow-Apostle Paul
from the depths of the sea, when he suffered
shipwreck: graciously hear us and grant,
by the merits of them both, that we also may attain
unto everlasting glory: Who lives and reigns world without end.
The Columbans are a society of missionaries, including priests and lay people, who minister to people of various cultures as a way of witnessing to the universal love of God.