Most Gracious Heavenly Father, We thank you for our faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your people. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and... Read more
After morning Mass at Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian Church—a 115 year old country parish—I decided to take a drive along farm lanes, through “God’s country.” The glow of having just received communion felt too fresh to not, in some way, continue the prayer. County roads here run straight and intersections at 90º a mile or two apart. I turned south along Hawley—roads were historically named after the land owner—and was surprised to see a hops farm. I wondered if the... Read more
Heavenly Father, Today, once more, sow your words in the hearts of our Sisters and Nuns. Till patiently the soil of their souls so they may continue to be fruitful and bring to you a rich harvest. Let their nourished souls bring the Holy Spirit to nourish our lives. We ask all this in Jesus name. Amen. Read more
Emmaus Prayer for Priests Lord Jesus, hear our prayer For the spiritual renewal of priests. We praise you for giving their ministry to the Church. In these days renew them with the gifts of your Spirit. You once opened the Scriptures To the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Now renew your ordained ministers With the truth and power of your Word. In the Eucharist you gave the Emmaus disciples Renewed life and hope. Nourish priests with your own Body... Read more
In the past few weeks I spent time outdoors helping a friend by doing light painting. He has offices at a very busy intersection outside of downtown. Out front is a wooden sign, about 8’ x 10’, installed several years ago. Like all things made of painted wood, it needs maintenance. Driving past one day I noticed how shabby the sign appeared and stopped to have a closer look. The situation was dire. Most of the furring strips—that secured the... Read more
Precious Lord, We pray this day for our consecrated women that their sanctity continues to increase and that their communities continue to grow so that they may serve those who are in need. We pray that our Sisters and Nuns continue to see you in the least of humanity, but that they also see you in those of power who fail to see you in themselves. We pray that they help bring you to those who are poor and impoverished... Read more
The blogging about #MyWritingProcess appears to have begun in 2011. At least that’s as far back as the thread for this hash tag goes. It’s a wonderful insight about other writers and how they do what they do. It’s my turn to step into the pool and swim, thanks to Nancy Ward’s invitation. What am I working on? If you are reading this you already know that I write for Patheos. The blog includes prayers, contemplative pieces on nature, and... Read more
Applying mulch is the best time-saving measure a gardener can take. This is true for every type of garden—flower beds, vegetable gardens, hardwoods. When you mulch a garden it is healthier, has less weeds, and the mulch helps hold moisture so the garden is more drought resistant and you spend less time watering. Organic Gardening offers the following advice: There are two cardinal rules for using organic mulches to combat weeds. First, be sure to lay the mulch down on... Read more
O Jesus, Eternal Pontiff, Good Shepherd and Fountain of life, who by the special goodness of your Most Sweet Heart, have given us priests to fulfill in us the designs of sanctification which your grace inspires in our hearts, we ask you: come to their aid with the assistance of your mercy. O Jesus, may they have in their labors a lively faith; in trials an unwavering trust; in their decisions a burning charity. Grant that your Word, the irradiation... Read more
As a gardener I find God openly present in the natural world. Through his creation he offers wisdom to guide us homeward. There are insights from bugs under decomposing bark as meaningful as grace found while stomping through mud. There is a movement to God that can be seen, though he himself is not. Like the fronds of ornamental grasses that sway in late summer, we do not see the breeze that moves them. What we see is the affects... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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