A Catholic Priest in Mississippi : October 2023

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Prayers of the faithful - 12 November 2023 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility

Introduction: November is the month of remembrance in our Catholic faith, as we remember in a special all those who have entered eternal life with our Lord. When we were baptized with Christ, we died with Christ, and then rose to new life in him. We are with the Lord in life and in death. Those who died in the Lord are with him in eternal life, while the Lord is with us today in the Eucharist. Let us be comforted knowing that we are always with the Lord, in life and in death.

Lord Jesus - you died and you rose to bring us new life.

Christ Jesus - you are a light shining in the darkness.

Lord Jesus - you are our hope of resurrection.

Priest: As we keep vigil for the coming of the Lord, we now call upon God to hear our prayers and to respond out of his love and mercy:

1. That we in the Church may exercise wisdom in preparing for the Lord’s coming into our hearts and in the end times, we pray to the Lord.

2. For all who are victims of crimes and victims of physical of sexual abuse, that they may find healing, strength, and support in their faith and from our Church, we pray to the Lord.

3. That all of us human beings may exercise our wisdom and compassion in our care for the earth and all of God’s creation, we pray to the Lord.

4. That we in the Catholic community of St Michael the Archangel may reach out to the other men in this facility through our works of charity and mercy, we pray to the Lord.

5. For the dearly departed, for our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory in the process of purification. We pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for the sick and the shut-ins. For healing for all of us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

7. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: Our souls thirst for you, O God. In you mercy, hear us. In your wisdom, guide us. In your generosity, grant our needs. We these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 12 November 2023 - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction: November is the month of remembrance in our Catholic faith. We remember in a special all those who have entered eternal life with our Lord. When we were baptized with Christ, we died with Christ, and then rose to new life in him. We are with the Lord in life and in death. Those who died in the Lord are with him in eternal life, while the Lord is with us today in the Eucharist. Let us be comforted knowing that we are always with the Lord, in life and in death.

Lord Jesus - you died and you rose to bring us new life.

Christ Jesus - you are a light shining in the darkness.

Lord Jesus - you are our hope of resurrection.

Priest: As we keep vigil for the coming of the Lord, we now call upon God to hear our prayers and to respond out of his love and mercy:

1. That we in the Church may exercise wisdom in preparing for the Lord’s coming into our hearts and in the end times, we pray to the Lord.

2. For all who are victims of crimes and victims of physical or sexual abuse, that they may find healing, strength, and support in their faith and from our Church, we pray to the Lord.

3. That all of us may exercise our wisdom and compassion in our care for the earth and for all God’s creation, we pray to the Lord.

4. That our parish community may reach out to the poor, the hungry, the needy, and the lonely through works of charity and mercy, we pray to the Lord.

5. For the dearly departed, for our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life. For the souls in purgatory in the process of purification. We pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for the sick and the shut-ins. For healing for all of us in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

7. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Bulletin reflection - 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - 12 November 2023

As we keep vigil for the coming of the Lord, we are called to always be prepared. That first generation in the early Church felt assured that the end times would surely be coming during their lifetime. However, here we are 2,000 years later and the end times still have not come. Each day, the Lord gives us wonderful opportunities to grow and learn on our journey of faith. The Lord gives us the opportunities to be prepared for that day when Jesus will come again, even though we do not know the day or the hour. Many see things that are happening in the world that portend the coming of Jesus. However, the main thing is not for us to try to predict when that day is going to come, but rather to devote ourselves to being prepared and serving God and our neighbor. Blessings to you in the month of remembrance, when we pray in a special way for the faithful departed, for our deceased loved ones and family members - Father Lincoln.

12 November 2023 - homily for 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Wisdom 6:12-16, Matthew 25:1-13

In two weekends, we will celebrate the end our Church’s liturgical year, entering Advent in our preparation for Christmas, the coming of the baby Jesus into the world. Where has the time gone? How can we be quickly approaching the holiday season and the end of 2023? As we near the end of the liturgical year, we always have readings on the importance of being prepared. In the Early Church, Christians thought that Jesus' second coming would be fast approaching, that they would see his second coming in glory in their lifetime, so being prepared was of utmost importance. When this did not happen, even by the time the Gospels were written, they began to wonder. However, this does not mean that we should put aside these warning of being prepared. We may not see Jesus’ second coming in our own lifetime, but we are called to be prepared for the end of our own days here on earth. We do not know when that will happen, when we take our last breath on earth. Our readings today help us ask ourselves this question: Are we ready? And how can we be ready?

Our Gospel states that the five foolish maidens did not see the need to bring sufficient oil for their lamps, but five wise maidens came prepared. Our reading from the book of Wisdom gives us some good insight into what motivates us to be ready and prepared. So, what exactly is wisdom? We can begin by saying that wisdom and book knowledge are not the same thing. I think of how I spent a lot learning Spanish, including studying Spanish out of books and doing things like conjugating verbs, but that did not replace learning Spanish in real life situations as a missionary. In fact, when I taught Spanish up in Greenville for four years, my challenge with my students was not speaking Spanish, but rather finding a way to adequately explain the grammar and the nuts and bolts of the language to them. Book learning is important, but then we have to find a way to apply what we learn in the real situations that face us in life.

Tradition has it that the Book of Wisdom was written by King Solomon, who was very admired in ancient Israel for his wisdom. However, most biblical scholars today believe that the Book of Wisdom was not written by Solomon, but probably written originally in Greek in the great ancient center of learning in Alexandria, Egypt a couple of centuries before Christ’s birth. Today’s reading tells us that wisdom is received by all who love her, that she is found by all who seek her. The author of the book of Wisdom tells us that if we watch for wisdom at dawn, she will be waiting for us at the gate. Indeed, we human beings yearn for wisdom in the same way we yearn for a connection with the divine in our lives. We are yearning, striving, and aching for such a connection with God and with wisdom. Likewise, wisdom and God are searching for us.

A wise person would not wait for some undefined time in the future to forge a relationship with Jesus. Some who claim to be Christians put other things first in their lives in front of their faith. They take a risk, just like the foolish virgins take a risk in the Gospel. Taking such a risk can have dire consequences, for sure. The truly wise person builds his life on Jesus and his Gospel, on Jesus as the truth and the life, not just for the future, but in the here and now.

So, if we are saying that wisdom goes beyond book knowledge and what we perceive intellectually, we can see wisdom as a resonance, as an understanding of God’s teachings, laws, and values. Wisdom is all about being able to integrate God and his teachings into daily life. While book learning and knowledge are important in our development as human beings and in our spiritual quest, they are not everything. God can reach out to us, wisdom can connect with us, in diverse and eclectic ways: through music, art, poetry, literature, and nature; through prayer, contemplation, and even silence. Meeting Wisdom at the gates means that we are to find ways to gain this understanding, this experience, this integration of God into our spirituality and into our lives. In all of our ministerial situations, we are called to approach our faith in our everyday reality, not just in the abstract. We have tried to start programs like Drinks and Doctrine and our Young at Heart luncheons in order to approach our faith in a practical way and in a situation of fellowship and faith sharing. It is just not about the doctrine and dogma of our faith, but rather the wisdom we have learned along the way on our journey.

Connecting with the divine wisdom, connecting with God, is not always easy and comfortable. In our search of wisdom, we will have great joys and great struggles. All of this is an essential part of our journey. All of this will help us be like the wise maidens, to be prepared and to be ready to meet the Lord when he comes.

10 November 2023 - Friday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time - St Leo the Great - Romans 15:14-21

Leo the Great was Pope in the 5th century when the Barbarians were preparing to invade Rome. He convinced Attila the Hun not to invade Rome, but rather to accept an annual tribute of money instead. He was less fortunate when the Vandals invaded the city, but Pope Leo convinced them not to burn it down. In addition to battling these invading enemies, he also battled the many heresies that were attacking the Church while he was Pope. Leo wrote eloquent defenses against these heresies. For his theology and writing and contributions to our faith, Leo was named Doctor of the Church in 1754. Leo the Great saw our salvation and our journey of faith intrinsically tied to the salvation we have in Christ, as he wrote: “No one, however weak, is denied a share in the victory of the cross. No one is beyond the help of the prayer of Christ.” May we ask for the intercession of Pope Leo the Great today, uniting his prayers with our prayers.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells them of the goodness he sees in them, how he sees them being full of knowledge and being able to instruct one another in the faith. Paul expresses his zeal and enthusiasm in bringing the Gospel to others, to the Gentiles who have not yet been exposed to God’s holy word. Pope Leo and many of our other Popes and Church leaders continued with the same zeal and enthusiasm in leading the people of God. May we give thanks for the wonderful leaders we have had in the Church.

9 November 2023 - Thursday of the 31st week in ordinary time - Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome - Lectionary 671 - Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

Today, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome. There are four major basilicas in Rome: St Peter, St Paul, St Mary Major, and St John Lateran. The Basilica of St Peter seems to get more attention compared to the others. Yet, St John Lateran is the oldest and the highest ranking of the four basilicas in Rome. It is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. St John Lateran is also called the Church of the Holy Savior or the Church of St. John the Baptist. In ancient Rome, this was the church where everyone was baptized. I celebrated Mass in the Baptistry there with the Notre Dame group last spring, which was an amazing experience. It is the oldest church in the West, built during the reign of the Emperor Constantine and consecrated by Pope Sylvester in 324.

Today, Ezekiel gives us the vision of a new temple, from which flows life-giving water. Throughout Israel’s history, the people chose to leave God’s path many times. While in exile, Ezekiel responded to God’s call to become his prophet. He communicates his prophetic vision to the people of Israel, calling them back to God. Ezekiel makes many sacrifices in order to follow this prophetic call. Ezekiel’s vision foresees the glory of the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, when the Jews will be able to go back to Jerusalem after their exile.

As we celebrate the Basilica of St John Lateran today, we can reflect upon the importance of our parishes as places of community and worship. Our buildings and the Body of Christ that lives within them are important symbols, as is the symbol of each believer being a holy temple where the Holy Spirit lives within. As Ezekiel and the other prophets suffered and worked for the building up of God’s kingdom, may we continue to be living stones in God’s kingdom as we celebrate this historic basilica of Rome today, our Mother Church.

8 November 2023 - Wednesday of 31st week in Ordinary Time – Romans 13:8-10

Jesus summed up God’s law in the commandments to love God and love our neighbor. St Paul sums up God’s law in the same manner in today's reading from his letter to the Romans. Living in God’s love will help bring us closer to God’s commandments. Yet, this is not always easy to put into practice. Even for me as a priest, it is not always easy to apply God’s law to some of the situations I face in the parish and in my other ministries. That is what is so interesting for us to learn about the saints, to find out how they applied God’s laws and commandment in the reality of their lives.

Elizabeth of the Trinity is the saint we celebrate today. This quote sums up how she saw God as intimately connected to how we need to live in our everyday reality. She wrote: “We must be mindful of how God is in us in the most intimate way and go about everything with him. Then life is never banal. Even in ordinary tasks, because you do not live for these things, you will go beyond them.”

Like another beloved Carmelite nun, Therese of Lisieux, Elizabeth died young: at the age of 26 in 1906 in Dijon, France. In that era in France, there was great unrest for the Church and for her community of Carmelite nuns.

Earlier in the year she died, the French government turned against the Church. The local Bishop had been removed by Rome. Embracing secularism, the French government was attempting to confiscate Church property and close down the Carmelite monastery. In the midst of all this turmoil and distress, Elizabeth of the Trinity tried to encourage others and pointed out how the transformative power of God was still there amidst the darkness of the world. She wrote: “Everything is a sacrament that gives us God.”

Elizabeth of the Trinity was canonized by Pope Francis in 2016, so rather recently. She is a great saint for our times, in the midst of social unrest, political uncertainty, and growing secularism. Let us unite our prayers with her prayers on her feast day.

7 November 2023 - Tuesday of 31st week in Ordinary Time - Romans 12:5-16AB

St Paul speaks about the many gifts that the Spirit can grant us. These gifts are necessary for us to function as the Body of Christ here on earth. We are all called to bring those gifts to the community for the benefit of all. However, some of these gifts are subtle and sublime and have more to them than meets the eye. I think of St Paul and the apostles who traveled as missionaries to bring the Gospel to different parts of the ancient world. We have been blessed with many great missionaries who have gone out to faraway lands to bring Christ's message. But we all can be missionary in our own way. St Therese of Lisieux was a cloistered Carmelite nun who lived her whole life in the same region of rural France. She physically never went to a faraway land as a missionary, but she was named one of the patron saints of the missions for the depth of charity she had in in her heart and for the prayer support she had for our Church’s missionary activity. The Second Vatican Council reminds us that even though all of the faithful are not called to give their lives as martyrs for the faith, we are all called to that level of holiness and tenacity in living out our faith that will allow us to become a martyr if faced with that circumstance in our lives. Even though certain members of our community are called to consecrate their lives through ordination as priests or deacons or professed religious, we are all called to embrace the values that make chastity, obedience, and poverty aspects of our lives of faith. Each of us is only one member of the body of Christ in our gifts and in our functions. Our Church is rich in its diversity. The love of Christ animates and unifies the Church’s many members. May we appreciate and glory in being part of that one Body.

Prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 31st week in Ordinary Time - 10 November 2023

Lord Jesus, you proclaim the justice of God’s kingdom.

Christ Jesus, you call us to be good stewards of our gifts and treasures.

Lord Jesus, you call us to faith and hope.

With humble hearts, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For all leaders of government on the national, regional, and local levels: that God will inspire them with new ways to promote the welfare of citizens and the common good.

2. For all who are in need; for the poor, the homeless, the widow, the orphan, and those on the margins of society: that God will open our eyes and hearts to their needs.

4. For the shut- in and the homebound: that they may experience God with them and support from our Christian community

5. For all who are recovering from natural disasters: that God will give them courage and guide them to the assistance which they need.

6. For all who are bound by addictions of different kinds, especially to drugs and alcohol: that God will break the bonds that hold them, help them to seek assistance and guide them to people who will support and challenge them to live in a new way.

7. For those seminarians and deacon candidates studying for the Diocese of Jackson.

8. For the sick and shut-in and the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.

9. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.

Our we unite our prayers with community of saints, we prayers these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 9 November 2023 - Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

Lord Jesus - you came to earth as a humble servant - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you are the savior of the world - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you love us with your sacred heart - Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of community of saints as we celebrate the feast of the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome:

1. For our governmental leaders and our Church leaders - that they may be faithful disciples and loyal to the apostolic tradition.

2. That all the nations of the world and their leaders may work for true economic justice and lead the people in unity and solidarity. We pray that we all might work toward an end to war, terrorism, and violence.

3. For the poor, the stranger, and the oppressed: that they may be welcomed by all Christians and our community.

4. That all youth may they be open to God’s call in their lives. We pray for a good beginning of the school year for our youth and children.

5. That all of us may trust in Mary’s intercessions and imitate her faith and her virtues.

6. For the sick and shut-ins, for healing for all of us in body, mind, and spirit.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Gracious God, as we commemorate the dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome today at Mass, we ask that you hear the prayers of your children and grant them in the name of your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 8 November 2023 - Wednesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you speak to us in God's holy word.

Christ Jesus - you will come again in the end times.

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life.

Priest: Let us present our prayers to God, the shepherd who cares for all his flock:

1. For those in leadership roles in the Church, that they may show the kindness and sensitivity of the Good Shepherd.

2. For leaders of governments and nations, that they may work for justice and truth.

3. For those who have passed beyond this world, that they may dwell in the Lord’s house forever.

4. For all those are struggling with addictions, depression, or mental illness, for healing and wholeness for them.

5. For the sick and shut-ins, for those who need healing in their lives in body, mind, or spirit.

6. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, for our medical professional. In thanksgiving for the ways they serve the community.

7. For the people we love — particularly those in need of support at this time, whom we remember in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: Loving God, caring shepherd, you look after your people at every moment of their lives: Hear the prayers we make, in trust and faith, through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen

Prayers of the faithful - 7 November 2023 - Tuesday of the 32nd week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life.

Chest Jesus - you are a sign of hope for those who seek you.

Lord Jesus - your is the way that lead us to salvation.

Priest: As we present our prayers to our heavenly Father, we call to mind our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world:

1. That our faith in the resurrection may console those facing death, give hope to the baptized, and provide a powerful witness to the world, we pray to the Lord.

2. The God will grant strength, wisdom, and compassion to our elected officials as they serve in their positions of governance.

3. For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, and lay leadership in the Church, that more men and women will realize their call from God to dedicate their lives in service to God and his people, we pray to the Lord.

4. That our community of faith may provide consolation and support for those who mourn the loss of a loved one, giving witness to Jesus’ promise of everlasting life, we pray to the Lord.

5. For the unemployed. For those looking for new work. For those searching for their vocation in life. We pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the sick and the shut-in. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. We remember our dearly departed loved ones in a special way during this month of remembrance. We pray to the Lord.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all of our intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of life, we ask you that your hear our prayers. Give us the courage to witness to your Gospel. We present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Monday, October 23, 2023

29 October 2023 - prayers of the faithful - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility

Introduction: Our Gospel today reminds of the the greatest commandment Jesus calls us to follow, to love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us renew our commitment to these commandments, resolving to follow them each day. Let us lift up our voices in praise of God, whose greatest commandment is simply to love.

Lord Jesus - you deliver us from the power of evil.

Christ Jesus - you give us the great commandment of love.

Lord Jesus - you are the enteral sign of your Father’s love and compassion.

Priest: God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us cry out to God today on our own behalf and behalf of our brothers and sisters:

1. That the Church may be a model for the world in the way that we care for those in need, feed the hungry, house the homeless, help the unemployed find work, and assist those living in poverty, we pray to the Lord.

2. For our elected officials, that they may pursue legislation and policies that reduce hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and poverty, we pray to the Lord.

3. For those who have lost loved ones, for the widows and the orphans, that they may find the love and care that they need, we pray to the Lord.

4. For those who work tirelessly for those in need, for those who give their time, energy, and spirit to volunteer in the soup kitchen, the shelters, and the prisons. We pray to the Lord.

5. For our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life, we pray to the Lord.

6. For healing of our illnesses and brokenness in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for those who are struggling with addictions, depression, and mental illness, we pray to the Lord.

7. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of compassion, you hear the cry of the widow, the orphan, and the impoverished. Grant that we may hear their cries as well and share your compassion with them. Hear our prayers that we make through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Prayers of the faithful - 5 November 2023 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility

Introduction: We come today this weekend to praise and thank God and to celebrate the Eucharist as Jesus called us to do. We do all of this in a spirit of humility since all that we are and all that we have comes ultimately from God. We receive the Eucharist as Christ own body and blood, which he offers us so that we may have eternal life. In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that it is proper to humbly ourselves before the Lord, for we are called to serve, not to be served.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior whom we serve.

Christ Jesus - you alone have the words of life.

Lord Jesus - you lead us to healing and wholeness.

Priest: Let us now humbly bring our needs and the needs of the world before the Lord, ready to answer God’s call to serve our neighbor:

1. That our Church leaders, by their example, help us to recognize God’s grace in their lives, we pray to the Lord.

2. That those in positions of power, especially our governmental leaders, use their authority and fulfill their responsibilities with humility, we pray to the Lord.

3. That we all may make the effort to carefully listen to God’s call, regardless of our status in life. May we all be open to that call, serving God and his people with courage and generosity. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who care for the sick and dying, that they persevere in their service and be aware of the holiness of their work, we pray to the Lord.

5. For those who struggle with depressions, mental illness, or addictions, for those who feel adrift or overwhelmed in life, that in God they may find peace, we pray to the Lord.

6. For our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life, we pray to the Lord.

7. For healing of our illnesses and brokenness in body, mind, and spirit, we pray to the Lord.

8. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: Merciful God, with humble hearts, we ask that you bestow your blessings upon us. May we share those blessings with our brothers and sisters. We make our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 5 November 2023 - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction: We come today this weekend to praise and thank God and to celebrate the Eucharist as Jesus calls us to do. We do all of this in a spirit of humility, aware that all that we are and all that we have comes ultimately from God. We receive the Eucharist as Christ own body and blood, which he offers to us so that we may have eternal life. In today’s Gospel, we are reminded that it is proper to humble ourselves before the Lord, for we are called to serve, not to be served.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior whom we serve.

Christ Jesus - you alone have the words of life.

Lord Jesus - you lead us to healing and wholeness.

Priest: Let us now humbly bring our needs and the needs of the world before the Lord, ready to answer God’s call to serve our neighbor:

1. That our Church leaders and all who represent the Church may by their example help others to recognize God’s grace in their lives, we pray to the Lord.

2. That those in positions of power use their authority and fulfill their responsibilities with humility, we pray to the Lord.

3. That we all may make the effort to carefully listen to God’s call, no matter our stage of life. May we all be open to that call, serving God and his people with courage and generosity. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who care for the dying, that they may granted to persevere in their service and be aware of the holiness of their work, we pray to the Lord.

5. For those who struggle with depressions, mental illness, or addictions, for those who feel adrift or overwhelmed, that in God they may find peace, we pray to the Lord.

6. For our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life, we pray to the Lord.

7. For healing of our illnesses and brokenness in body, mind, and spirit, we pray to the Lord.

8. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Bulletin Reflection - 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time - 5 November 2023

It is hard to believe it is already November. The month of November is traditionally a time when the Catholic faithful remember those who have died. The end of November is the end of the Liturgical Year with a new year starting the First Sunday of Advent as we prepare during Advent for the coming of the Lord at Christmas. The Church uses this end of the year period as a time to reflect upon the end of life and the end times and the great hope that our earthly end is transition into a new life in God’s heavenly reality. In the month of remembrance, may we give thanks for those who have gone before us. As we lift up our prayers for our deceased loved ones and family members, may we place our hope in their new life in heaven and our desire to join them there one day. Have a blessed week everyone - Father Lincoln.

5 November 2023 – Homily for Sunday of the 31st week in ordinary time - cycle A – Matthew 23:1-12; Malachi 1:14b; 2:1-2; 8-10

We are in the last weeks of our present liturgical year. We are four weeks away from the beginning of Advent, from the new liturgical year which begins on December 3. Advent is not only a time when we prepare for Christmas and for the birth of Jesus into our world, but it is a season where we look into our hearts in a special way to see those ways we need to turn away from sin and to receive renewal and conversion in our lives. Today’s readings get us thinking about these themes, about how we need to repent and amend our ways, to look at those things that are eroding our faith, that keep us from growing in our relationship with Christ.

The prophet Malachi spoke to the people of Ancient Israel in the 5th century BC, just a generation or two after the Israelites returned from exile. At that time, the people had once again turned their backs on God. Many Israelites had married outside of their faith and had turned to the worship of foreign idols. Malachi is direct in his message, as he identifies the sins of the people and of their priests. Malachi tells them that it’s not enough to go through the motions of religious rituals if they are doing so for their own glory and to make themselves look good in the eyes of others and the eyes of God.

Just as Malachi is direct with the people, Jesus is very bold in addressing the Pharisees and the Scribes in today’s Gospel. Jesus saw them not only leading many of the faithful astray, but also saw them taking the glory that was due God, and in a very sneaky, hypocritical way, turning it into their own glory. In contrast to the scribes and Pharisees that Jesus warns us about, I bet we can all think of those who have been examples of faith for us, who truly have lived and served for the glory of God, who have led us closer to the faith rather than leading us astray. When I was in Ecuador serving as a missionary, I saw so many priests and nuns who had left their home countries in order to serve the poor throughout this vast jungle region of South America. I met one elderly nun from Italy named Sister Gemma; she had been there in the jungle for almost forty years. Even though she had gone through many difficulties and challenges, I was struck by the love, grace, and humility through which she served the Lord as a missionary. She never drew attention to herself, she never announced to others how great she was. She knew that God called her as a missionary, as his servant, so she served him simply and humbly, through patience, perseverance, and hard work. That is so different from the message we see in the Pharisees and scribes, who follow all the laws of the faith, but who do so rigidly and dogmatically. In flaunting the way they take the seats of honor, in drawing attention to themselves and lording their power over others, the scribes and Pharisees really are serving only themselves.

Let us look at a very different example. Our psalmist humbly comes before the Lord this morning, telling him: My heart is not proud, Lord. My eyes are not haughty. I don’t spend my time trying to accomplish great things. I don’t not worry about those things that are too complicated or sublime for me. Instead, the psalmist declares that he has found his peace with the Lord, that his hope is in the Lord both now and forever.

Back in 1953, Sir Emund Hillary of New Zealand and his Cherpa guide Tenzing Norgay of Nepal were the first humans to set foot on the mountain peak of Mt Everest. Since then, many have died trying to scale that mountain, including 17 who have died during the 2023 climbing season, the highest fatalities in one year. Hillary and Norgay reacted very differently to this remarkable achievement. Hillary reacted by planting a flag of conquest on top of the mountain peak. However, Norgay knelt in the snow in order to beg the mountain’s forgiveness for disturbing her peace. It doesn’t take long for us to figure out who was able to glimpse the divine presence at that moment on the mountaintop.

In September 2016, Pope Francis reached outside of our Catholic faith to bring the message of God’s love to the world. He convened religious leaders from all over the world to Assisi, Italy, the hometown of St Francis of Assisi, to stress the importance of all of us working together for world peace, including the way all of the worlds religions should be praying for peace. Pope Francis followed in the footsteps of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in convening these religious leaders in Assisi. On those occasions, leaders from Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism, traditional African religions, and from different Protestant faiths, all pledged to work toward dialogue, justice, peace, and friendship. In a world where many acts of terrorism and violence have been perpetuated in the name of God and in the name of different religions, a world day of prayer for peace tells the world what all these faith traditions truly stand for.

3 November 2023 - St Martin de Porres - Friday of the 30th week in Ordinary Time - Luke 14:1-6

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Martin de Porres, a Dominican brother from Peru from the 16th century. Latin American society in colonial Peru discriminated against Martin, since he ws the illegitimate son of a Spanish nobleman and a freed African slave. The shame Martin’s father felt over this reality motivated him to abandon his family. But, Martin never gave up on his journey of faith. He used his gifts to contribute to the Body of Christ, even though that was not always so easy for him. Martin's compassion for the poor, his love for animals, and his care for the sick of Lima made him a legend in his own time. Even in the midst of a society and a Church that greatly discriminated against him, his compassion and humble nature won over people's hearts and brought many to God. The broom became his symbol, because he would bring a broom with him to clean the living quarters of the sick and the poor when he would visit them. He eventually founded an orphanage and a children's hospital in Lima, Peru to care for the poor, and even a refuge that would care for sick and injured animals. From the alms he collected, he fed over 150 poor people a day. Martin was canonized as a saint by Pope John XXIII in 1962. He has been named as patron saint of the poor and of social justice. He is still known today as the saint of the broom.

As we hear about Martin de Porres today, of his simplicity and humility, we think about how his approach to faith is so unlike the Pharisees in the Gospel today, who in arrogance and pride think they are better than everyone else, who try to trap Jesus and scrutinize his every move. They even criticize Jesus when he tries to heal someone, failing to understand his explanation that he is not violating the spirit of God’s law. Unlike the prideful example the Pharisees give us today, Martin de Porres and the community of saints give us a humble example of faith to follow on our journey.

Saturday, October 21, 2023

prayers of the faithful - feast day of St Martin de Porres - 3 November 2023 - Friday of the 31st week in ordinary time

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God.

Christ Jesus - you call us to carry our crosses.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and Redeemer.

Priest: As we journey together in faith, and as we celebrate St Martin de Porres today and his spirit of social justice, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. We pray for our Church leaders and our governmental leaders as the lead us during these challenging times. For wisdom and courage for them. We pray for our national election which is coming up next week.

2. For those who are persecuted for their faith and gave up their lives for the faith. May the Lord lead, guide, and protect those who are discriminated against, condemned, and attacked for their faith.

3. In honor of St Martin de Porres, we pray that all of us may work for justice in the reality of our lives and to bring about greater understanding and collaboration between people of different cultures and backgrounds.

4. For unity and solitary in our nation and throughout the world.

5. For the sick and shut-ins, for all who need healing in their lives.

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.

7. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today.

Priest: As we unite our prayers with the prayers of St Martin de Porres today, we present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Readings - ALL SOULS DAY - 2 NOVEMBER 2023

There are different readings that are options for All Souls Day. These are the readings we are choosing for Holy Savior this year, as recommended by the US Bishops' website.

Reading I - Wisdom 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction. But they are in peace. For if before men, indeed, they be punished, yet is their hope full of immortality; chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed, because God tried them and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. In the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble; they shall judge nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord shall be their King forever. Those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with him in love: because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect.

Responsorial Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley

I fear no evil; for you are at my side

with your rod and your staff that give me courage.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Reading II Romans 6:3-9

Brothers and sisters: Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection. We know that our old self was crucified with him, so that our sinful body might be done away with, that we might no longer be in slavery to sin. For a dead person has been absolved from sin. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him.

Alleluia - Matthew 25:34

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Come, you who are blessed by my Father; inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel - John 6:37-40

Jesus said to the crowds: “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me. And this is the will of the one who sent me, that I should not lose anything of what he gave me, but that I should raise it on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.”

prayers of the faithful - 2 November 2023 - All Souls Day

Lord Jesus - you are the resurrection and the life.

Christ Jesus - you are the living bread that has come down from heaven.

Lord Jesus - you will raise us up on the last day.

Priest: As we unite our prayers with the prayers of the saints during November, the month of remembrance, we present our prayers to the God of mercy and compassion:

1. For our friends, family members, and members of our faith community who have died, may they rest in peace. We pray to the Lord.

2. For those who have lost their lives through war or violence, that the tragedy of their deaths may motivate people to work for peace and justice. We pray to the Lord.

3. For those who have died through accidents or suicide, that their loss may remind us of the sacredness and fragility of our lives here on earth. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who are overcome by grief, that the power of Christ’s love may lift them up, heal them, and renew their hope. We pray to the Lord.

5. For those departed souls who have no one to pray for them, that they may always have the benefit of the prayers we offer in the Church for the faithful departed. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the repose of the souls in the process of purification in purgatory. We pray to the Lord.

7. For all our relatives and friends who have gone before us in faith, may their spirit and prayers live within us. We pray to the Lord.

8. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.

Priest: God of light, to live in your house is the desire of all your children. Hear our prayers and help us in all our needs. We ask these prayers through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever.

2 November 2023 - Homily for All Souls Day - Wisdom 3:1-9

Today, in our Catholic faith, we commemorate All Souls Day. We pray for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. The Catholic Church has encouraged prayers for the dead since the days the Early Church as a sign of Christian love and charity. A quote attributed to St Augustine states that one of the holiest works and best exercises of piety is to offer sacrifices, alms, and prayers for the dead. By the early Middle Ages, monasteries started to mark an annual day of prayer for their departed members. Almost 1,000 years ago, the influential Benedictine monastery in Cluny, France offered special prayers and sang the Office for the dead on November 2, the day after the feast of All Saints Day, a custom that spread quickly to the universal Roman Catholic Church.

Traditionally, in our Catholic faith, we remember our deceased family members and friends on this day in our prayers. We here at our parishes of Holy Savior in Clinton and Immaculate Conception in Raymond and in many parishes throughout the Diocese remember those members and family members who have passed away this past year in our All Souls Day Mass and throughout the month of November, the month of remembrance. There are those deceased loved ones who have entered union and eternal life in God, but, there are also those who have died but who are not ready for union with God, who are in need of a process of purification. It is helpful for us to think of purgatory as a process rather than a place. We can only speculate as to what that process of purification is like.

We lift up our prayers for the faithful departed today, remembering our deceased family members and loved ones who have entered eternal life. In the hope of our Catholic faith, we acknowledge that our earthly death is not the end. The first reading from Wisdom today reminds us that the souls of the just are in the hands of God, where they at peace, and where no torment can touch them. Those who live a righteous life abide in God’s love in eternal life forever. For us here on earth, our commemoration of All Souls Day reminds us to place our hope and trust in the Lord.

Prayers of the faithful - ALL SAINTS DAY - 1 NOVEMBER 2022

Lord Jesus - you bless the poor in Spirit - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you call us to a path of holiness - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you call us to justice and peace - Lord have mercy.

PRIEST: As we unite our prayers with the prayers and intercessions of the community of saints in our celebration of All Saints Day, we present our prayers to our merciful God:

1. We pray for the Holy Catholic Church, Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and all of our church leaders lay and ordained, for wisdom and clarity of mission as they lead God’s people, we pray to the Lord:

2. For the leaders of the nations, that they would promote justice, holiness, and respect for human life as they work together for the good of all, we pray to the Lord:

3. For our church community here at Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception parishes, that we would model our lives after the holy men and women of God, becoming more like Christ in all ways, we pray to the Lord:

4. In thanksgiving for the saints of God, for the love and mercy they have shown to the world, and for the example of faith they give to us, we pray to the Lord:

5. For those who are sick or suffering in any way, may they be comforted with the love of Christ. For healing for all of us in mind, body, and spirit. We pray to the Lord:

6. For all those who have died, that the light of Christ would shine upon them. In a special way, we pray for the souls in the process of purification in purgatory, we pray to the Lord:

7. For our own personal needs and intentions that we now recall in our hearts, we pray to the Lord:

PRIEST: As we honor the saints today in a special way, we make these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 31 October 2023 - Tuesday of the 30th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to take up our crosses and to follow you.

Christ Jesus - you call us to serve others.

Lord Jesus - you are seated at the right hand of the Father.

Priest: With humble hearts, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For all who have helped to strengthen our faith, for parents, teachers, and those who give witness by the fidelity of their life, that they may continue to be examples of Christian discipleship to all who encounter them.

2. For students, that God will help them learn, stay safe, and find the resources they need to assist them as they continue their studies this semester.

3. For justice and peace: that God will protect all who are experiencing warfare and injustice, particularly the people of Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and Syria, so that they may live safely and care for their families.

4. That the holy spirit will help us to be better listeners, opening our minds and our hearts to what others have to say and to be attentive to God’s word that speaks to our hearts.

5. For healing for us in body, mind and spirit. For the response of the souls of our deceased loved ones and community members, for their entry into eternal life.

6. For respect life month in the month of October, that we may grow in our respect for human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: With joy in our hearts, we present our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

1 November 2023 – homily for All Saints Day – Matthew 5:1-12a

The solemnity of All Saints is an important celebration for us in our Catholic faith. It is a holy day of obligation in our Church’s liturgical calendar, a day when the Church asks us to attend mass together as a community to celebrate this day together. Today, we honor the example, witness, and intercession of the holy men and women who make up the community of saints in heaven. The Catechism teaches that “being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness....They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us...So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.”

The Gospel today presents us the Beatitudes from Matthew’s Gospel. Even though the Beatitudes are a familiar part of Scriptures, perhaps we still have a hard time understanding their teachings. When we reflect upon what our secular society sees as a blessing, we might name things such as riches and material wealth, popularity, power, fame, intelligence, and athletic ability. Those considered blessed by Jesus would not be seen as blessed in the eyes of our world: the poor in spirit, the merciful, the clean of heart, the peacemakers, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and those who mourn. Yet, those whom Jesus names in the Beatitudes are those who truly live out the Gospel message in their lives. For example, the poor in spirit are those who place their reliance on God and on the values of the Gospel, rather than in the fleeting, secular values of the world. Those who are merciful show love, compassion, and forgiveness to their neighbor, even when it is difficult to do so, even when it would be so easier to seek revenge or vengeance. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are those who seek to bring justice and peace into our world, who stand up for the values of our faith even when it means that they will suffer greatly for it. Jesus sees those who live out the values of the Gospel as being truly blessed.

Today, we celebrate the Community of Saints that is a real living part of our faith. We celebrate the members of the Community of Saints who lived out the values of the Gospel and the reality of the Beatitudes in their lives here on earth. There are many famous and beloved saints who have been recognized by our Church. But, we also recognize those members of our Community of Saints who are less famous and who are not officially named as such by the Church. Think of the grandmothers who went to mass each day and devoutly raised their children and grandchildren in the faith. Think of the fathers who worked in the fields and the factories each day to provide for their families, who lived out the values of the Gospel each day and who instilled those values in their family members by their examples. We can all think of deceased loved ones and family members who influenced our faith who are now members of the Community of Saints. In celebrating All Saints Day today, we celebrate the importance of community in our lives of faith. Our personal relationship with God is very important, but our journey in life and our journey in faith take place in the community. In community, we live out our faith and the values of the Gospel. Our faith community helps us, encourages us, educate us, and nurture us. The Community of Saints not only helps us through its witness, but through the prayers and friendship its members provide to us as well.

Today, we give thanks for the Community of Saints in our lives, for the help, prayers, and witness that the saints provide us.

31 October 2023 – homily for Tuesday of the 30th week of ordinary time – Romans 8:18-25

In his letter to the Romans, St Paul writes: “Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” St Paul states that although creation is groaning in pains of growth and labor, we human beings already have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit with us. While we know this as a truth of our faith, that the sufferings of this world are nothing compared to the glory of God, nothing compared to the new life we will have with Christ when we enter eternal life, it can still be difficult for us to bear the burdens and sufferings we have here on earth. St Paul says that it is this hope that will sustain us, that will get us through the sufferings of life. We can lift our sufferings up to the Lord and unite them with all that Christ endured on his way to the cross. We can find meaning and growth in our sufferings.

We all know someone in our community of faith or our family or at work or school who is perhaps going through a sickness or illness, through a lot of pain and suffering, or struggling with a terrible addiction or mental illness. We stand in solidarity with all those who suffer. We unite our prayers together, lifting them up to the Lord. Let us always place our hope in the Lord.

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

29 October 2023 - prayers of the faithful - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you deliver us from the power of evil.

Christ Jesus - you give us the great commandment of love.

Lord Jesus - you are the enteral sign of your Father’s love and compassion.

Priest: God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Let us cry out to God today on our own behalf and behalf of our brothers and sisters:

2. For elected officials, that they may pursue legislation and policies that reduce hunger, homelessness, unemployment, and poverty, we pray to the Lord.

3. For those who have lost loved ones, for those who have been left widowed or orphaned, that they may find the love and care that they need, we pray to the Lord.

4. For those who work tirelessly for those in need, for those who give their time, energy, and spirit to volunteer in the soup kitchen, the shelters, and the prisons. We pray to the Lord.

5. For our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life, we pray to the Lord.

6. For healing of our illnesses and brokenness in body, mind, and spirit, we pray to the Lord.

7. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

29 October 2023 - Bulletin Reflection - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

On this last weekend of October, we get ready to commemorate the month of remembers in November, in which we start the month with All Saints Day on November 1 and All Souls Day on November 2. In a special way this month of November, we pray for all of our family members, parishioners, and loved ones who have entered eternal life.

As Jesus calls us to love God and love our neighbor in our Gospel this weekend, we hear in the reading from the book of Exodus of how God ask us to practice justice and mercy with the stranger, the widow, and the orphan, those who were considered the most vulnerable in society in the ancient world. As Respect Life Month comes to a close, we are called to reflect upon how we treat the most vulnerable in society. Often times, if we do not do an act of mercy, mercy will not be shown to that vulnerable person. We are the hands of the Lord when we reach out to our neighbor in mercy. We need to be cognizant of this in our ministry as a parish and as individuals. Have a blessed week everyone - Father Lincoln.

Sunday, October 15, 2023

26 October 2023 - Thursday of 29th week in Ordinary Time – Psalm 1:1-5, Romans 6:19-23

The psalm refrain proclaims to us today: “Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.” Our psalm brings us a message of hope, as we as disciples of Christ are to place our hope in our faith, in the salvation we have in Christ. Yet, the readings also hold us accountable and responsible as disciples of Christ as well. This hope also demands action on our part. St Paul tells the Romans that before they were slaves to impurity and lawlessness, but now they are to live in righteousness as Christ’s disciples. Sometimes in the reality of life, it can be difficult to have hope. When we have no hope, perhaps we need to look at what we can change in our lives to bring us hope.

I remember hearing at a workshop presented to us priests several years ago that in order to have hope in our lives, we are called to seek out and foster healthy relationships. We do not feel hope on our own or in isolation. The importance of community in our Catholic faith reinforces this concept. Forging healthy relationships is a key part of living out our faith and evangelizing others. Our friends and our healthy relationships can help us have joy in our hearts no matter what struggles and challenges we face. Let us always have hope. Let us always put our trust in our Lord.

27 October 2023 - Friday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time – Luke 12:54-59

Swiss Reformed theologian Karl Barth once stated that preachers of God's word should preach with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other hand. Barth saw an relationship between the word of God and the word of the day, having relevance in the way we live out our faith in the reality of the modern world. God’s word and the reality of our day are intrinsically bound together in such a way that one always interprets the other. The Second Vatican Council put forth in the fourth paragraph of Guadium et Spes that: "At all times the Church carries the responsibility of reading the signs of the times and interpreting them in the light of the Gospel." Today's Gospel from Luke addresses how some in Jesus' day could interpret the weather from the clouds and the appearance of the earth, but they were not able to discern the signs that Jesus put before them in his proclamation of God's kingdom. In our own day, we are very technologically advanced, yet we so often miss the message that God is trying to convey to us. We are called to dialogue with the modern era and to infuse our world with our faith, yet we are also called to be true to the original message of Jesus and the message preached by the early Church fathers. We should never forget this connection.

I want to mention an interesting saint of the day, St Oran of Iona. He arrived on the island of Iona on the western coast of Scotland with St Columba in the year 563, the first men to bring the Christian faith to the people of Scotland. They tried in vain to build a chapel on the island, but everything the built in a day would lay in ruins the next morning. According to legend, Columba had a vision that the land required a sacrifice for the chapel to stand up. Oran offered himself as a sacrifice, to be buried alive so that the building would stand. This was not meant to be a pagan sacrifice, but a sacrifice to their faith and to build up the Church in Scotland. The chapel built over the place of St Oran’s grave still stands, a symbol of the faith of those monks who brought the Christian faith to Scotland. Whether this legend is true or not, it is told to symbolize the many sacrifices that were made by the early Christians in order to pass down the faith to us. The truth contained in this legend about St Oran speaks to us today.

29 October 2023 - Homily for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Exodus 22:20-26

In the Exodus story that we hear this weekend, as the Israelites are escaping the bondage and oppression of their lives in Egypt, as they travel to the promised land, Moses presents God’s law to the people. The laws of conduct that God gives them at Mount Sinai are reiterated again and again by the prophets as the people of Israel repeatedly stray from God and turn their back on him throughout their history.

The widows, the orphans, the poor, the oppressed, the stranger – they were the most vulnerable and the most at risk in the ancient Mediterranean world. Today, in our world and in our own community right here in Clinton, we may think that we can easily identify these members who are most at risk, who are orphans and the strangers of our modern world. Some individuals may feel like they are orphans or strangers in their own community and they are not so readily identifiable. What we see on the outside and on the surface can be so different from the reality that is going on inside a person. We may see someone who appears happy and content, confident and successful in life, but inside they may be struggling just to make it from one day to the next, they may be insecure and lacking in self-worth and confidence.

God tells the people of Israel that if they do wrong against those who are most vulnerable in their society, those they’ve wronged will cry out to God, and God will surely hear their cry. God’s wrath will flare up at the people of Israel, and the Israelites themselves will become widows and orphans. The point of all of this is not to instill fear in our hearts as followers of Christ, to make us afraid of God and be fearful of punishment or retribution. Rather, let us see this message as a call to awareness, to look at how we treat others, especially the least among us in our society. Since it is often so difficult to determine who the least among us are, we are to be watchful in how we treat all of God’s children.

Back on October 4, we celebrated the feast day of St Francis of Assisi. There is a famous story about St Francis and his encounter with a leper. Francis had a fear and abhorrence of lepers. One day, he met a man afflicted with leprosy while riding his horse near Assisi. The sight of the leper filled Francis with horror, but he got off his horse and kissed the leper. The leper put out his hand, hoping to receive something. Out of compassion, Francis gave money to the leper. But when Francis mounted his horse and looked around, he did not see the leper anywhere. It dawned on him that it was Jesus whom he had just kissed. Francis believed that it was God’s still, small voice that told him to stop, reach out, and embrace the leper. Reflecting upon this encounter, Francis wrote in his journal: “When I was in sin, the sight of lepers nauseated me beyond measure; but then God himself led me into their company, and I had pity on them. When I became acquainted with them, what had previously nauseated me became the source of spiritual and physical consolation for me.” What is so wonderful is that Francis’ embrace of the leper was not an isolated occasion. His ministry to lepers became an essential part of his life. He would intentionally go down to the colony of lepers two miles below Assisi. He and other friars continued to minister to the lepers on a regular basis, feeding them and tending to their wounds. This became an ongoing ministry for Francis and the friars.

Many times the message we hear in Sacred Scripture and the stories we hear about the saints gives us pause to think, it gives us a reason to be challenged. This weekend, we also celebrate St Jude, also known as Judas Thaddaeus, He was one of Jesus’ twelve Apostles. Tradition holds that St Jude preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Syria, Mesopotamia and Libya, that he suffered martyrdom about 65 AD in Beirut, together with the apostle Simon the Zealot. The axe that he is often shown holding in statues and icons symbolizes the way in which he was killed. St Jude is known to help out people in desperate situations, which is one of the reasons why so many of the faithful have a great love for St Jude and a devotion to him. We have a statue of St Jude in our daily Mass chapel at Holy Savior. Let us ask for the prayers of St Jude today on his feast day, especially for any seemingly impossible causes we might have.

Prayers of the faithful - 27 October 2023 - Friday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to be people of prayer.

Christ Jesus - you proclaim the justice of God’s kingdom.

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope.

Priest: We now present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For our Church leaders and governmental leaders, that they may exercise wisdom and prudence in their leadership.

2. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, for our military veterans, and for our medical professionals.

3. For those who hunger for food, for those who hunger for meaning in life, for those who hunger for justice and righteousness, that their hunger may be fulfilled.

4. For all who live amidst civil unrest, conflict, or violence, that God will break these these destructive cycles, healing the divisions that exist within the community and protecting the innocent.

5. For all who labor: that God will renew and strengthen all who work to advance the good of society, protect them from harm, and help them to use their gifts and talents fully.

6. For respect life month in the month of October, that we may grow in our respect for human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 26 October 2023 - Thursday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope in our faith.

Christ Jesus - you are the beloved son of the Father.

Lord Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer.

Priest: With humble hearts, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For our Church leaders and our governmental leaders, that God will lead them in guide them in their leadership challenges and in the difficult decisions they have to make.

2. For all who are recovering from hurricanes, wildfires, drought, tornadoes, storms, and other disasters: that God will ease their pain, give them strength, and renew their hope.

3. For all missing children, particularly those caught in human trafficking: that God will free them and reunite them with their families.

4. For an end to violence in families, neighborhoods, and cities: that God will open new ways to resolve differences and protect the life and dignity of each person

5. For all who are sick: that God’s healing love will strengthen them, remove their pain, and restore them to wholeness.

6. For our deceased families members, loved ones, and community members, for their entry into eternal life. For the souls in the process of purification in purgatory.

7. For the prayers we hold in the deep recesses of our hearts

Priest: With faith and hope, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

October 25 2023 – Wednesday of 29th week in Ordinary Time – Romans 6:12-1

We are disciples of Christ. To become his disciples, we die to our old life in the waters of baptism and rise to new life in him. Even though we strive toward perfection as disciples on our journey of faith, that does not me we still don’t struggle with sin and temptation. In his letter to the Romans, St Paul acknowledges the reality of sin, seeing sin as powerful and active in the world of believers. Our Catholic faith openly acknowledges the power that sin can have over us even as we try to live as disciples. We are called to an on-going cycle of conversion and repentance. We are called to confess our sins, to repent, to do penance, and to strive to do better.

I read an article in America Magazine in which Pope Francis was asked: "Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?" He answered: “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.” We are all sinners, this is true, but we have the help of God’s grace, which St Paul sees as the source of our liberty and security. It is hard to believe that we are nearing the end of October, which means that Thanksgiving and Advent are around the corner, as we will start our preparations for the Christmas season. We have the sacrament of reconciliation each Saturday afternoon here at Holy Savior before our Vigil Mass. We also have confessions offered the first Wednesday of the month during our time of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. We will have a Reconciliation Service during the season of Advent in early December as well. We ask the Lord to lead us and guide us in our fight against temptation, against the sins we struggle with in our lives. Without his help, we cannot do anything.

Prayers of the faithful - 25 October 2023 - Wednesday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life through the waters of baptism.

Christ Jesus - you are the life and the resurrection.

Lord Jesus - you forgive the sins of the contrite.

Priest: With respect and humility, we prayer our prayers this morning to our Heavenly Father.

1. For respect life month in the month of October, that Pope Francis and our Church leaders may lead us to a greater respect for human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

2. For Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of October: For the Synod, that the Church may adopt listening and dialogue as a lifestyle at every level, and allow herself to be guided by the Holy Spirit towards the peripheries of the world.

3. For all missionaries, catechists, and teachers of religious education, that they may be encouraged as their form others in the faith.

4. For an end to racism and prejudice: that God will turn hearts and change minds so that all human beings may be respected and their dignity affirmed.

5. For countries and people who are divided by religious belief: that the Spirit of God will bring about new opportunities for understanding and cooperation.

6. For healing for all of us in body, mind and spirit.

7. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.

8. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: As we continue our journey of discipleship through the days of ordinary time, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - 24 October 2023 - Tuesday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer.

Christ Jesus - you are the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Lord Jesus - you are the beloved son of the Father.

Priest: With joyful hearts, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For the grace of sacrificial love: that God will help us to make sacrifices and to endure hardships in caring for our families and to bring the Gospel message to others.

2. For all who are discouraged by the difficulties of life: that the compassionate love of God will renew their hearts and lead them through their struggles.

3. For all recovering from storms, floods, drought, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires, that God will ease their suffering, give them strength, and help them to find the resources that they need to recover.

4. For civility in public discourse, that public figures and elected officials may respect the human dignity of each other and find ways to address the real issues facing our world and nation.

5. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.

6. For the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts.

Priest: Heavenly Father, with faith and hope, we present our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

24 October 2023 - Tuesday of the 29th week in Ordinary Time - Romans 5:12, 15B, 17-19, 20B-21

One of the saints we celebrate this week is St John of Capistrano. You probably are more familiar with him by his Spanish name, as mission San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, California was named after him by the Franciscan missionaries who brought the Catholic faith to the native people of California. John of Capistrano was born in the late 14th century. He was imprisoned during a war with a neighboring town. After his release from a lengthy imprisonment, he entered the Franciscan community in Perugia in Italy. After being ordained to the priesthood, he brought his gifts of preaching to countries all over Europe: Italy, Germany, Bohemia, Austria, Hungary, Poland, and Russia. Through his preaching, John tried to unify the Christians throughout Europe. One interesting fact related to mission San Juan Capistrano in California: it is around this date, October 23, that the swallows leave the mission as they make their way down to Argentina to leave the upcoming winter weather of the northern hemisphere.

Unity, in a sense, is a theme in Paul’s letter to the Roman’s today. Paul notes how through the disobedience of Adam, we were condemned and humanity was thrown into disarray. But, by the obedience of another man, our Lord Jesus Christ, humanity has been unified once again and the many are made righteous. In a modern world that is so badly divided, we are called to work toward unity, even in our little part of the world. It is hard work breaking down the barriers of division and brokenness. But it is work we are called to do.

22 October 2023 - prayers of the faithful - World Mission Sunday - CMCF - Central Mississippi Correctional Facility

Introduction: Today’s Gospel tells us to repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God. We are reminded of our need to integrate our lives as faithful citizens with our lives as disciples of Christ. We are obligated to bring our faith and our values to all our responsibilities in life. As we celebrate World Mission Sunday this weekend, may we recognize our call to be missionary spirit no matter where we are in life.

Lord Jesus - you sustain us with the word of life.

Christ Jesus - you call us to bring your Gospel message to the world.

Lord Jesus - your word is justice for all who hunger and this for righteousness.

Priest: As we are called to realize that everything we have ultimately comes from God, let us now ask for God’s generous blessing in our prayers today:

1. We give thanks for the presence of Bishop Kopacz and our invited guests at our Mass today. May they feel the warm welcome of our faith community. We pray to the Lord.

2. That world leaders may nurture the seeds of peace that are sown by those who work to make our world better, building bridges of understanding and goodwill. We pray for peace in Israel and in Ukraine. We pray to the Lord.

3. We pray for farmers and for all who produce our food, that all regions of the world may have a bountiful harvest, providing sustenance and abundance for all who hunger. We give thanks for all the men who work hard to make our St Michael the Archangel Farmer's market a reality. We pray to the Lord.

4. On World Mission Sunday, we pray for missionaries here and around the world, that like St Paul, they make find in a Christ the strength to persevere in their mission. We pray that we may bring the Good News of our Catholic community to all the men of CMCF. We pray to the Lord.

5. For our deceased family members and loved ones, for their entry into eternal life, we pray to the Lord.

6. For healing of our illnesses and brokenness in body, mind, and spirit. We pray all the men we are suffering from depression, mental illness, or addictions, we pray to the Lord.

7. For all the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, for all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord.

Priest: Generous God, as we look to you as the source of all that is good, we ask that you hear the prayers we make today through your son Jesus Christ, for he is our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.