Prayer Requests and Praise report

A reader who asked prayer recently writes:

Lynda called this morning with high spirits. She is off all pain medication and feels better than she has in quite some time. On January 5, the doctors will inject dye into the tube in her nose to see how well the surgery repaired her liver. If the results are good, she may go home on the following day.

She is extremely thankful to God for allowing her to survive this ordeal, and also to all of us for going through it with her.

Thanks be to God the Father through Jesus Christ!

Another reader writes:

A dear friend gave birth on Dec. 22 to a little girl who had already been diagnosed with Trisomy 18. As you likely know, these children are often aborted, but this wonderful Catholic family has been an amazing testimony to the power of love and true prolife standards. Gianna Caeli lived two weeks in the loving arms of her family, and she passed away still surrounded by her family this morning. Please pray for little Gianna as she speeds her way to Heaven, and please pray for her family as they grieve but not as those without hope.

Here’s the website so you and your readers can learn more about the precious life of little Gianna.

Holy Innocents, pray for Gianna and her family. Father God and Mother Mary, welcome this newest saint to Heaven through Jesus Christ. Mother Mary, intercede for her grieving family that God will grant them grace, consolation, peace and strength through Jesus Christ.

Another reader writes:

An 89-year-old priest who is a close family friend is going through a difficult time right now. He is part of a religious order and originally from another country, but has been working in the same diocese in the U.S. for over 30 years now. His superior has ordered him to return to his home country, the reason being that the order can’t take care of him if he gets sick here and his health insurance through the diocese lapses. This priest has benefactors willing to take care of his insurance payments but the superior still insists on sending him back. Though he’s 89, this priest has been incredibly active in the parish and with all different types of groups. Serving the people of God has kept him young. Through conversations with other retired priests in his home country, he knows that there is nothing for senior, retired priests to do there. Nobody bothers with them and they aren’t given any opportunities to help others. All this priest wants is to continue his ministry in his current parish for however many years he has left in his life. His heart is breaking at being forced to leave the friends he has made through the years. Please ask your readers to pray that this situation comes to a positive resolution and that this priest finds peace that surpasses all understanding.

Father, hear our prayer that this human being will be exalted above an inhuman bureaucratic system. Grant that he be able to stay and continue doing the work to which you have called him to in your Holy Church. Whatever happens, grant him the grace to do what you call him to do through Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for him and all involved with his life.