Prayer Requests

A reader writes:

I enjoy reading your blog and am touched by your sharing of prayer requests and the prayers that you offer for them. Please add this to your list: Fr. Emmanuel Isi, Associate Pastor at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham, AL was savagely beaten while on a pastoral visit this past Wednesday. He underwent a seven hour surgery in the latter part of the week and another surgery is scheduled for Monday. It is said that his injuries are not life-threatening, but he is expected to be quadriplegic.

Father Isi is a friend to the local pro-life movement. He is very kind and compassionate; a wonderful confessor and spiritual director who is and very well-liked, even loved, by all who know him. We feel devastated. This Sunday he was to have celebrated the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and a reception planned in his honor has been cancelled. Please join us in praying for his recovery and for his attackers.

Father, grant Fr. Isi complete healing from his wounds in body, soul, and spirit, grace to face what is to come, and the grace to forgive his attackers. Forgive them their sins and let this be the ocassion of saving mercy in their lives. Grant grace, strength and consolation to all who know and love Fr. Isi. Mother Mary, pray for him. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

A reader writes:

Might sound frivolous Mark but my youngest daughter is deadly serious. Here is what she posted on my Facebook wall:

can you please pray to the catholic saint of finding a good flat for me?
i find out tomorrow if the flat i want will have me live with them….

St. Joseph, you seem like a good patron for somebody looking for housing. Please pray she get the apartment she wants. Father, hear our prayer through your Son Jesus Christ. Mother Mary, pray for her.

A reader writes:

I don’t know if it is appropriate, but someone has been on my mind for the last few days, I did pray for her, although I do not know her at all, and I wonder if it would be possible to put something on your blog: It is a young woman, 21 years old, who was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, with the wrong crowd, as is now a quadriplegic as a result of a gunshot wound. Somehow, I feel for her. (And we cannot really judge her for being in the wrong crowd, apparently, in the first place, she was born into a family that people would consider the wrong crowd…)

Father, hear our prayer for this young woman, that she find complete healing and good friends through your Son Jesus Christ. Grant all who love her grace, peace, strength and consolation through the same Christ our Lord. Mother Mary, pray for her!