22 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 7th week in Ordinary Time - St Rita

Lord Jesus - you encourage us on our journey of faith. 

Christ Jesus - you give us the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Lord Jesus - you increase our faith and hope. 

Priest: With faith and hope, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That God will pour out the Spirit on the Church in a new and abundant way to renew all believers and strengthen us to further the mission of Jesus. 

2. That God will heal the divisions between women and men, poor and rich, and every race, so that we may work together for the good of every person and the fulfillment of God’s plan

3. That all Christians may manifest love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of the Spirit in our lives

4. That the Spirit of God will lead us into a greater understanding of who we are and of what God is asking of us. 

5. For all gathered here at Mass, that we may fully use the gifts of the Spirit to encourage one another on our journeys of faith and build up the Body of Christ. 

6. On the feast of St Rita, we recognize those seemingly impossible prayers that reside in our hearts.  

Priest:  As we return to Ordinary Time this week, we present our prayers thru your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

21 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time

21 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time 

Lord Jesus - you call us to give thanks - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to share the Gospel with others - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope and couarage - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: In the midst of our daily reality, let us be guided by the Holy Spirit as we present our prayers to God: 

1. We beseech our Father that we be blessed with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, so that we may grow in love of God and neighbor.

2. We pray for the Church in the United States and throughout the world, that we will be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit as we seek renewal and the true way forward together.  

3. We ask the Holy Spirit to bestow on us the wisdom and insight to care for the earth and environment and to preserve his gifts of water, land and climate for ourselves and the good of those who come after us.

4. For the sick and shut-in, for those battling addictions or mental illness, for their care givers and our medical professionals.  

5. We pray for our government in the US and throughout the world, that they may be guided by the Holy Spirit when addressing the challenges facing us. 

6. For the response of the souls of the faithful departed.  

7. We remember in silence our own personal intentions and the intentions of those who have asked for our prayers.

Priest: Father, help us to profess, with our words and with our lives, your undivided unity with your Son and with the Holy Spirit.  We make these prayers through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

17 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 7th week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you are ascended into heaven. 

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

Lord Jesus - you hear the cry of the poor and the suffering. 

Priest: As the end of the holy season of Easter draws near, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That we in the Church may continue the mission of our Savior and bring forth the reign of God through our worship, our work, and our relationships.

2. That the Holy Spirit will give us a new spirit of evangelization, guiding us to be witnesses to the saving message of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. For the coming of Christ’s kingdom: that we may strive with great dedication to bring hatred, injustice, and the evils of society under the saving and redeeming love of Christ. 

4. For all who gather here for Mass in our parish, that we may encounter Christ in our Eucharistic assembly, our families, and our communities, and in those who need our assistance. 

5. For the Christian community in the Diocese of Jackson: that through our celebration of the Paschal Mystery and the Easter season, we may be renewed in spirit to live for Christ each day and place our talents and gifts in the service Christ’s kingdom. 

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

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

16 May 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 7th week of Easter - St Simon Stock

Lord Jesus - you call us to discipleship

Christ Jesus - you call us to stand up for our faith. 

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our Redeemer. 

Priest: With Easter joy, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That we in the Church may live as a Eucharistic people each day. May we give and share of ourselves, as Christ continually does for us. 

2. As we celebrate St Simon Stock today, we pray for our Carmelite nuns in the Diocese of Jackson and for our secular Carmelite group. 

3. For missionaries, for the sacrifices they make to spread that Gospel message. For those throughout the world who are persecuted for their faith.  

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

5. For our children and youth, may the Lord continue to bless them and guide them as their semester comes to an end. 

6. For the Gospel of Life, that all Christian may profess the dignity of human life in their words and actions.  

7. For the sick and shut-ins. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  

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

Priest: We present these prayers, heavenly Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

15 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you have ascended into heaven. 

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

Lord Jesus - you hear the cry of the poor and the suffering.

Priest: As the season of Easter soon comes to a close, let us present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That God will grant us wisdom and inspire us in recognizing and using our gifts to enrich the faith community and to proclaim God’s kingdom. 

2. For missionaries and preachers who spread the Gospel message, that God will inspire them to announce God’s saving love and healing presence boldly and dynamically. 

3. For the healing of racism, that all nations and peoples may recognize the value and dignity that God has given to each person and work together to bring forth the kingdom of God in the world. 

4. That God will inspire our governmental leaders with courage and new understanding in the challenging decisions they have to make.  

5. That God will heal victims of violence from their pain, ease their fears, and give them the courage to engage with life fully. 

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

Priest: As we celebrate the coming of the holy spirit in a special in the last week of the Easter season, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

14 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - St Mathias - Tuesday of the 7th week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you call us to a life of discipleship 

Christ Jesus - you are the beloved son of the Father 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God

Priest: As we celebrate the feast of St Mathias today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. That we may continue to proclaim the Gospel message through our words and our actions. 

2. That our Church leaders may continue to lead us in the spirit of the Apostolic church. 

3. That we may bring healing and reconciliation in the brokenness of our world. 

4. For those who are sick in body, mind, and spirit. 

5. For those who have recently come into the Church, that the Lord may continue to bless them on their journey. 

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

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

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

Prayers of the faithful - 12 May 2024 - The Ascension of the Lord

Introduction: Today, we hear Jesus tell us as his disciples to go out into the world to proclaim the Gospel message to every creature. In ascending to heaven, it becomes possible for Christ to be with the Church always and everywhere, rather than in just one place and time. As a Church, we continue our celebration of the risen Christ during the Easter season. 

Lord Jesus, you are the eternal Son of the Father: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, your presence fills the universe: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you guide us home with you into bright glory: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST:  Now, let us present our prayers for our needs and the needs of the world to the God who sent us his son, our Lord Jesus Christ:

1. For God’s holy Church throughout the world, that we might give glory to God just as Jesus Christ has done. We pray to the Lord. 

2.  That the leaders of our country proclaim justice and peace without regards to race, nationality, and religion. We pray to the Lord.

3. That those who celebrated the sacraments of initiation this Easter season may grow in their faith and understanding, we pray to the Lord.

4. For those who are persecuted for their religion, may they receive new life and new opportunities. We pray to the Lord.

5. For those who are graduating from high school, college, or other institutions this spring. We give thanks for their accomplishments and we pray for them as they undertake new challenges. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the sick and shut-ins of our community, for those in the hospital, hospice, and nursing home. We pay to the Lord. 

7. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord. 

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

PRIEST:  God of all, we believe that we shall see the good things that you have in store for us in the land of the living. Hear the sound of our call, have pity on us and answer us, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever.  AMEN. 

Bulletin Reflection - The Ascension - 12 May 2024

This weekend, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. I think of the Ascension most of all in its context in the Easter season as a part of the Paschal mystery, which includes Jesus’ suffering and death, his resurrection, his ascension, and his sending forth the Holy Spirit to us, his disciples. These parts of the Paschal Mystery, as a whole, comprise one reality. In the resurrection, we understand that Jesus still lives as our Savior and our Redeemer. In the Ascension, we better understand Christ’s relationship with the Father: that the living Christ has entered into glory, a glory that he shares with the Father. Today, we also celebrate Mother’s Day, honoring all of our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers, and all those who have been spiritual mothers to us. Blessings to all of you as we near the end of the Easter season. Father Lincoln.

Prayers of the faithful - 6th Sunday of Easter - 5 May 2024

Introduction: Today, we continue our celebration of the Easter season, reflecting on the meaning of Christ’s resurrection and the promises of the Holy Spirit who will accompany us on our journey. Let us pray for the coming of the Holy Spirit every day into our lives as we call to mind our sins: 

Penitential rite: 

Lord Jesus, you open the way to eternal life:  Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you release us from the power of sin and death, Christ have mercy.  

Lord Jesus, you sent us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate and guide: Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of the Faithful

Priest: We now bring our prayers for the needs of the world before our merciful Father, led by the Holy Spirit of truth and justice: 

1. For the holy Church, that we might live in the light of the risen Christ and show the world the Father’s love and compassion, we pray to the Lord.

2. For peace in the world, for an end to violence and destruction, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For governmental leaders, that they may govern with wisdom and justice, we pray to the Lord.

4. For all those newly baptized this Easter season, for those who received the sacraments of confirmation and first holy communion, that they may feel the Holy Spirit with them and share God’s love with others through their words and actions, me pray to the Lord.

5. For all of our children and youth, that God will continue to accompany them on their journey, we pray to the Lord.  

6. For the sick and shut-ins, for good health and healing in their lives, we pray to the Lord. 

7. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, we pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the presence of your risen Son and we humbly ask you to listen our prayers today and to answer them in the name of our risen Lord for ever and ever.  Amen. 

Bulletin Reflection - 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 5 May 2024

Today, on the 6th Sunday of the Easter season, we celebrate the first Sunday of the month of May, the month of our Mother Mary. This weekend at the Sunday morning Mass, we celebrate our graduates who are marking an important milestone in the their lives. We give our graduates a special blessings as they continue their journey through life. The theme of our readings at Mass this weekend is love, an appropriate theme to celebrate in the midst of the Easter season as we celebrate our risen Lord in a special way.  St Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican priest and theologian from the 13th century, stated that “to love God is something greater than to know him.” St Catherine of Siena, a Dominican tertiary and Italian mystic from the 14th century, stated that “everything comes from love, all is ordained for the salvation of man, God does nothing without this goal in mind.” We pray that the Lord continue to guide and lead our high school and college graduates. We pray that all of us feel God’s love for us every day on our journey of faith and that we pass on that love to others. Blessings to all of you.  Father Lincoln.  

22 May 2024 - St Rita - Wednesday of the 7th week in Ordinary Time - James 4:13-17

The saint we celebrate today was born in the 14th century, but she remains a very popular saint today. St Rita of Cascia was born to a peasant family, the only child in the family. She longed to be a nun, but instead, she followed her parents wishes for her to marry. She became a wife and mother at the age of 12. After a violent, abusive relationship with her husband, after the murder of her husband through a feud with another family, and the death of her two sons by dysentery, she was accepted into the Augustinian convent as a religious sister. Rita was well known for being obedient. She was canonized a saint in the year 1900. At her canonization, Pope Leo 13th named her Patroness of Impossible Causes, while in many Catholic countries, Rita came to be known to be as the patroness of abused wives and heartbroken women. Let us unite our prayers with with the prayers of St Rita today, even those prayers that may seem impossible to be answered. 

Today’s Letter of James tackles the subject of arrogance in our lives, of how we often ignore the humility God calls us to by thinking we have control of our lives and of the future. It seems like we take our health for grant when we aren’t having any problems, but then a health crisis can strike us suddenly without any warning or notice.   Then we know that we are not in control of what the future brings. We can certainly learn about humility from saints such as St Rita, who followed the will of God in their lives and who faced life with an attitude of humility and love. 

17 May 2024 – Friday of the 7th week of Easter – Acts 25:13b-21

Today we continue to hear about charges brought against Paul in our reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Specifically, we hear the charges being explained to Herod Agrippa, the head of this region of the Roman empire.  It is explained to Herod that Paul is not accused by the chief priests and the elders of the Jewish people of criminal charges related to laws of the Roman empire, but rather of violating Jewish religious laws, specifically related to Jesus, who Paul claims is alive.

How is Jesus alive in our hearts today?  How are we living out our faith.  I read an article that was critical of graduation speakers who were invited to speak at Catholic universities but who did not live out the values of the Catholic faith in their lives. The article spoke about our need to find our inspiration in the Gospel message and the teachings of our Catholic Church, as opposed to the agenda set forth by our secular society. It is so easy to go against the teachings of our Church when it is not currently politically correct or when it is not the popular trend of the day. Paul was willing to stand up to the authorities that spoke out against him.  Are we willing to take a stand and do the same today?

21 May 2024 - Tuesday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time - James 5:9-12

There was a book written a few years back called The Monks of Tibhirine about a group of Trappist monks who were kidnapped and murdered in Algeria in on May 21, 1998. Those monks in Algeria knew that they were in danger, but they felt called to witness to the community there and to make sacrifices for the faith. At first it was reported that they had been killed by Islamic extremists in that country, but there are conflicting reports that claim that they were murdered by the Algerian army. They were beatified in 2018, along with 12 other Algerian martyrs. 

Our reading from the letter of James today comes near the end of the letter in the form of encouraging words and advice for the faithful.  A lot of the advice James gives can be easily translated to our modern world. James talks about patience and tolerance, advising us that we should not judge and grumble against our brothers and sisters. In the sacrament of reconciliation, I often hear people talk about their struggles with patience, how they can very easily get angry at others.  When we look at the road rage and accounts of violence in the news, we see how prevalent this anger is in our modern world.  It is easy to criticize someone, especially when we are looking in from the sidelines and aren’t putting ourselves in the other person’s shoes. 

When we look at a group of monk who were an appreciated presence in their community but who were murdered in the midst of anger and religious intolerance, we how much patience and tolerance are lacking in our world today.   

16 May 2024 - Simon Stock - homily for Thursday of the 7th week of Easter - Acts 22:30 and 23:6-11

Simon Stock was born in England in 1165 to a well-known Christian family. He was very religious even as a child. As a teenager, he became a hermit, and after living for 8 years in a hollowed out tree.  He felt called to join a community after his years as a hermit and joined the Carmelite order. He finished his studies in Oxford and became the vicar general of the Carmelite order. 

He worked tirelessly to spread the Carmelite Order throughout Europe, founding many communities in university towns. He was responsible for the revision of the Rules of the Carmelite order, leading the community from lives as hermits to those of mendicant brothers. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother.  She appeared to him with the brown scapular, which has become a very popular devotion which has extended beyond the Carmelite order. He died in 1265 at the age of 100 after having served as Superior General of the Carmelites for many years. We honor Simon Stock on his feast day today. 

As we continue to hear about the missionary efforts of the Early Church in our readings from Acts, we hear about Paul’s difficulties as he is ordered to stand before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to give testimony. Rather than trying to help Paul and encourage him, the Jewish authorities are plotting to kill him and destroy him, a reminder of what Jesus went through during his journey to the cross. Paul is cunning and intelligent as he traps the Sadducees and Pharisees, getting them in an argument that he knows that will keep them preoccupied, since these two groups do not agree in the belief in the resurrection. 

15 May 2024 - Wednesday of the 7th week of Easter - St Dymphna - Acts 20:28-38

Who exactly is St Dymphna?  You may have heard the name. When I served at St James church in Tupelo, I had some parishioners who were devoted to St Dymphna, particularly because of her role as patron saint of those suffering from mental and nervous system illnesses. Dymphna lived in 7th century Ireland, born to a devout Christian mother and a pagan father. Her mother died when she was a young teenager. Her dad was suffered mental illness. In his delusion, he desired to marry his daughter. She fled to Europe, to current day Belgium, in the town of Geel, where she founded a hospital to help the poor. Her father found out where she was hiding, killing her in a fit of rage. There is a large church in Geel built in her honor. There have been many healings and miracles attributed to her. Dymphna is a popular saint to this day.  

In our reading from Acts today, we hear about Paul’s ministry in Ephesus, about how he is instructing the priests and Church leaders before he moves on in his missionary travels. Paul tells them to take care of their flock, and to beware of the wolves that will come and try to rip them down. 

It is not easy being in a Christian community, is it?  We are all human, and we all have our strengths and our flaws as well. In community, we have a lot of different personalities, and it is easy to get on one another’s nerves. Paul certainly had has own strengths and weaknesses, and from time to time we hear about the arguments, disputes, and disagreements that he has with the other disciples and with those to whom he ministers. Yet, Paul tries to leave the people of Ephesus a spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and love. He tries to encourage them as he leaves them. 

May we feel encouragement in the stories we hear about the early Church.  May the intercession of the saints lead us and guide us on our journey of faith. 

14 May 2024 - Tuesday of the 7th week of Easter - feast day of St Matthias - Acts 1:15-17, 20-26

Through our reading today from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn that Matthias was chosen to replace Judas as one of the apostles.  He was chosen before the descent of the Holy Spirit, but this choice was not made by the risen Christ, but by the other 11 apostles.  Tradition has it that the apostles were sent to different parts of the world to spread the Good News. For example, James the Greater went to Spain, Thomas went to India, and Matthias was sent to spread the Gospel in Ethiopia where he died as a martyr there. Just as pilgrims believe that James' remains are laid to rest in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, it is believed that the remains of Matthias are located at the Abbey of St Matthias in Trier, Germany, having been brought there by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. Just as the remains of St James were rediscovered by a hermit in the 9th century in Spain, the remains of St Matthias were rediscovered there in the 13th century, at which time the abbey became a popular place of pilgrimage.  

St Matthias faced many unknowns and many challenges as he preached the Gospel throughout the world. We also are faced with challenges as we bring the Gospel to others. May we be inspired to live in the spirit of the Early Church and to energetically witness to our world.

12 May 2024 - The Ascension of the Lord – Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:17-23

It seems so long ago that back on March 31 we celebrated Easter Sunday and the beginning of the Easter season. In our Catholic faith, the Easter season lasts 50 days, all the way to Pentecost, which will be next weekend. With Pentecost Sunday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ being celebrated on the next four Sundays, perhaps our celebration of the Ascension of the Lord today gets lost in the shuffle. 

Our reading from the very beginning of the Acts of the Apostles today shows the disciples gazing up into the heavens, shocked and amazed as they see Jesus ascending. When two messengers appear on the scene, they ask the disciples: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” So what is the Ascension about?  We can start be stating what it isn’t about: The Ascension isn’t defined in a literal sense of Jesus floating up into space on his way up to “heaven”.

Perhaps we could say that the Ascension can be best understood in the way that it is a part of the Paschal Mystery, which is comprised of: (1) Jesus’ suffering and death, (2) his resurrection, 3) his ascension, (4) and his sending of the Holy Spirit. Those parts of the Paschal Mystery comprise one reality. In the resurrection, we understand that Jesus still lives as our Savior and our Redeemer.  In the Ascension, we better understand Christ’s relationship with the Father: that the living Christ has entered into glory, and that he shares that glory with the Father. 

In our 2nd reading, Paul sees the Ascension in terms of God the Father raising Christ from the dead, of seating him at his right hand in the heavens, above every other principality, authority, power, and dominion, above every name that is named, in this age and in all ages to come. Pope Francis sees the Ascension creating a new reality of Christ with us where Christ is with God the Father, where he always intercedes for us. He is no longer in a definite place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now in the lordship of God, present in all space and time. I am always impressed by the words and images that Pope Francis uses. 

I was once in the heart of the rain forest in Ecuador as a missionary, driving along on the passenger side in a truck to pick up some wood for the carpentry school that I managed. We came across a big pile of bamboo and small logs in the middle of the road, so the driver and I got out to move them out of the way. When I got back into the cab of the truck, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye on my bare arm, and out of my exhaustion from the hot tropical climate, I hastily brushed it off my arm without really paying attention. The driver looked at the floorboard of the truck cab, and in great haste, frantically, smashed what I had just brushed off my arm – a huge scorpion. I was both terrified and relieved. I said a prayer of thanks to the Holy Spirit, to all the saints in the heavens, to the Blessed Virgin Mary – to whomever was watching over me and protecting me that day. However, we should not be aware of God’s presence in just those times when we need him most. God is there with us always through the presence of the Holy Spirit. That is the message we hear in the prayer of St Patrick, with which I will close my homily with today:

THE PRAYER OF ST PATRICK - 

Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me, King of my heart.

Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me, never to part.

Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left hand, Christ all around me, shield in the strife.

Christ in my sleeping, Christ in my sitting, Christ in my rising, light of my life.

Christ be in all hearts thinking about me; Christ be on all tongues telling of me; Christ be the vision in eyes that see me; in ears that hear me, Christ ever be. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 28 April 2024 - 5th Sunday of the Easter season - prison ministry

Introduction - As we continue our journey through the Easter season, we hear Jesus tell us how we are connected to him and the Father just like a vine is connected to the vine grower. Let us give thanks for the opportunity to live as the Body of Christ here in our community of St Michael. May God continue to bless us as individuals and as a community and may he continue to grant us his grace that helps us meet our challenges in life. 

Priest - Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to freedom from the slavery of sin: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the truth that reveals the love of the Father: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to the eternal dwelling place: Lord, have mercy. 

Priest: God has made us a chosen people, a royal priesthood who has been set apart. Now, let us pray for those in need.


1. For the Church, as we seek to follow Christ so that we may show the whole world the way to the Father. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our national and world leaders choose the path of peace over violence and conflict. We pray for those communities and countries divided by violence and war. We pray to the Lord.


3. For those whose hearts are troubled, who have lost their way and who are in need of guidance and support, that they might find what they need in our community of faith. We pray to the Lord.


4. For the sick here at CMCF. For our sick family members and friends.  We pray for healing in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For those who have died. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.


6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, we pray to the Lord. 

Priest: God of love and mercy, your son Jesus Christ shows us the way to you. Teach us to follow him more closely, and hear all these our prayers that we make in his name, for he is our Risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen. 

5 May 2024 - homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter - 1 John 4:7-10; John 15:9-17

The theme of today’s readings is God’s love.  We often hear about God’s love in our readings at Mass.  In fact, last Sunday, the second reading from the first letter of John stated that God’s commandment that we are to follow is this: “we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another just as (Jesus) commanded us.” Today’s second reading, also from the same first letter of St John, states that the centre of all living is love. It is not only the center of Christian living, but should be at the center of any kind of life.

There are so many saints that have exemplified God’s love in their lives and in their ministry.  The first saint I thought of in regard’s to God’s love was St Elizabeth of the Trinity, a Carmelite nun who was born in France in 1880.  She was a gifted musician and pianist.  And she was also very rambunctious and strong-willed as a child. Until the time she entered the Carmelite monastery at the age of 21, she worked with troubled youth and performed many charitable works in the city of Dijon. Her fellow nuns noted her great spiritual joy.  At the time of her death at the age of 26 from Addison’s disease, she believed that God had a special mission for her in eternal life, that through her prayers and intercessions, she would help lead souls to a deeper encounter with Christ Jesus.  Here is a quote from Elizabeth the Trinity about God’s love: “In the morning, let us awake in love. All day long let us surrender ourselves to love, by doing the will of God, under his gaze, with him, in him, for him alone…And then, when evening comes, after a dialogue of love that has never stopped in our hearts, let us go to sleep still in love.” I love her idea of us abiding in god’s lives at different points of the day, of being conscious of his love and allowing that love to live within us. 

Another saint I associate with God’s love is St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. I have always been drawn to St Ignatius and the missionary spirit of the Jesuits, and grew even closer to him when I journeyed to his home town of Loyola, Spain to pray his spiritual exercises for an entire month in 2019. Born in 1491, Ignatius spent his  young adult years as a solider.  After being hit by a canon ball that shattered his leg at the Battle of Pamplona at the age of 29, he had a profound religious conversion that ultimately led him to the priesthood. Here is his quote about God’s love: “Love is shown more in deeds than in words.” Ignatius knew that anyone can say a pleasant word. But it’s a person’s deeds that truly show their love of God and the love of their faith, which is evident in his profound spiritual transformation. As Catholics, we must also remember to do more than just speak about the love of our fiath. We must show that love with loving deeds and actions. 

The lives of Elizabeth of the Trinity and Ignatius of Loyola illustrate that our faith is not just a religion or a set of rules that are tacked onto an otherwise secular life. Our Christian faith is a vision of how our human lives can be lived out in fullness. Our faith teaches us how to be a real person. St Irenaeus Lyon stated: “The glory of God is a person fully alive.” Indeed, a person is only fully alive when he is full of love. Because such a person then truly reflects God, who is love. This also reflects something that Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: “Where there is love, there is God.” Notice that Mother Teresa did not say where there are Christians, there is God, or where there is the Church there is God. It is love that should characterize our life of discipleship. Love is a way of life for us. It is an internal attitude that should influence everything we do and say and think.

The love we express out of our faith is to be unconditional. Sometimes people will love us back; sometimes they will not. Sometimes, even though we want to love people, they may reject us. Sometimes, another person cannot return genuine love as they may not be capable of doing so at that moment.  That is all the more reason why we need to reach out to them. People often learn to love by being loved.

As disciples of Christ, the most important thing is not that we are clever or successful or rich or famous. The most important thing is that we are able to pass on the love of God, just as Jesus loves us, just as Jesus is loved by the Father. Our love may empower others to be loving too. To be able to reach out in love and to experience being loved is God’s greatest grace.

Prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 6th week of Easter - 10 May 2024

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us the love of the Father. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to faith.  

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

1. For all the faithful of the Diocese of Jackson: that God will strengthen our spirits, help us form supportive relationships, and guide us in our ministries and outreach to the poor and marginalized. 

2. For all married couples: that husbands and wives may appreciate the gift that they are to one another and help strengthen their partnership of life that they have formed together.   

3. For peace in communities experiencing terrorism, violence, conflict, or war.  They we may work to mend brokenness and practice justice.  

4. For all who are unemployed or looking for a new job, that the Lord will help them find their vocation and a work situation where they will be able to prosper and contribute to society.  

5. For all of our students, that they may feel God’s presence with them during the upcoming summer months. 

6. For our first responders, for the men and women in the military, and for our veterans.  May they feel the love and support of those whom they serve.  

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

Priest: We present our prayers through the risen Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  

Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 6th week of Easter - 9 May 2024

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us the love of the Father. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to a life of discipleship.  

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

1. For all the parishes of the Diocese of Jackson: that God will strengthen the spirits of our parishioners, help them form supportive relationships, and guide them in their ministries and services. 

2. For all couples preparing for marriage: that they may appreciate the gift that they are to one another and form a partnership of life for the good of each other. 

3. For peace: that God will turn minds and hearts from violence, open new ways for dialogue about wounds and grievances, and help all who are burdened with anger to find life and hope.  

4. For all who have experienced abuse: that God will heal them, give them new courage, and renew their vision for a future filled with God’s promises. 

5. For all of our students: that they may feel God’s presence with them during the upcoming months of summer vacation. 

6. For healing for the sick and shut-in, and may the Lord welcome into eternal life the faithful departed. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts. 

Priest: We present our prayers through the risen Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  

10 May 2024 - St Damien - homily for Friday of the 6th week of Easter - Acts 18:9-18

Today, we celebrate the feast day of a saint whose great work and enthusiasm as a priest in the state of Hawaii is remembered more than 135 years after his death. The date of a saint’s entry into enteral life is usually used for his feast day, but in this saint’s case, the date of his feast day which chosen for a different reason. On May 10, 1873, Father Damien De Veuster, a Belgian priest with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, arrived on the island of Molokai in the Hawaiian islands to begin his ministry at the leper colony there. Damien had been born to a very poor family in Belgium. He had left school at the age of 13 to help out at the family farm. With so little formal education, it was thought that he was not suited for the priesthood. Yet, while in the formation period to become a priest, Damian offered to serve as a missionary in Hawaii, taking his brother’s place, since his brother was unable to go because of an illness. Damien volunteered to serve the lepers in Molokai after he served in different mission churches in Hawaii.  He served in Molokai from 1873 until his own death in 1889 at the age of 49, which came about after he himself contracted the disease from the lepers. Even in the midst of his illness, Damien was able to proclaim: “I consider myself the happiest missionary in the world.” Damien could have a combative and stubborn personality, which sometimes caused conflict with his companions and superiors, but his desire to proclaim the Gospel to others, and his love for those who suffer at the margins of society, speak so loudly to many in our world, both in the religious and the humanitarian sense. The joy that Damien felt was a joy that came from his faith.  Even Gandhi proclaimed: “The world can boast of very few heroes who can compare with Father Damien of Molokai.”  Father Damien’s holy life inspired countless priests and many members of the faithful, leading to his canonization in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI. 

In the first reading from Acts today, we hear about St Paul’s missionary activity in Corinth. Time and again in Acts, we hear how those opposed to Paul’s preaching turn him in to the civil authorities.  Yet, the Lord encourages him to persevere in a vision that Paul has.  Paul continues to preach the Gospel message and develops the early church in Corinth.  

Both Damien and Paul served the Lord out of love and fidelity. They both live and died serving the Lord with great joy in their hearts. May their example inspire us on our own journeys of faith.

9 May 2024 - Thursday of the 6th week of Easter - Psalm 98:1-4

Our psalm today declares: "The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power….The Lord has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.  He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.”  The Lord’s saving power was revealed in a new covenant with his Son Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, whom we celebrate in a special way during the Easter season.  May is also the month of Mary.  Many Catholics around the world celebrate a May crowning, in which flowers is present to an image of Mary, celebrating her title of Queen of Heaven and earth.  May has been Mary’s month since the medieval period. In the month of May, the winter season ends and the season of spring starts a new cycle of growth. With these new beginnings, we express our gratitude and devotion to Mary. In a special way, let us ask for Mary’s prayers and intercession during the entire month of May.  

8 May 2024 - Wednesday of the 6th week of Easter – John 16:12-15

We hear Jesus tell us about how he is sending us the Holy Spirit – called the Spirit of truth – to lead us and guide us to all truth.  We hear the word “truth” being bantered about all the time all around us, don’t we?  We hear some say: “I want the truth to come out” or “I am hear to speak the truth.”  Sometimes what we think is the truth can be our own perspective or how we see things, even though we don’t want to admit it.  We live in a world that is so divided these days that it might be difficult discerning what the truth is. It seems like even journalism today is more about advocating for an agenda rather than presenting facts.  I looked up “truth” in the Catechism and it directed me to the eighth commandment, “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” The Catechism states: “Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy.”  Like any virtue, we must have a well formed conscience and we must be cognizant of the formation we are receiving.  On May 19, in a week and a half, we will celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit in the world. The presence of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us to the truth and to the right path is so important in our lives of faith. We must be cognizant of the Spirit’s presence with us.   

7 May 2024 - Tuesday of the 6th week of Easter - Acts:16:22-34

Today, we hear one of the most dramatic scenes from our readings from Acts during the Easter season, as Paul and his companion are brought before the court, flogged, and thrown into jail.  Paul, Silas, and the rest of the prisoners are freed from prison from an earthquake that happened in response to the prayers and hymns that Paul and Silas offered. The guard, who was responsible for the security of the prisoners, prepared to kill himself out of shame for having failed his responsibilities. Yet, Paul tells him not to harm himself, that Paul and the others are not going to escape. This brings about a conversion in the heart of the guard. We don’t hear the end of the story, which concludes with the magistrates setting Paul and Silas free and apologizing for having treated them as Roman citizens in such an unlawful and undignified way. In the midst of our hardships and sufferings, God can still be at work in our lives and there are still blessings to discover.  Out of the harsh circumstances which met Paul, Silas and prison guard, a story of conversion and Christ’s love developed. 

I want to mention a very interesting commemoration on this date. May 7 is also the anniversary of an apparition of the Archangel Raphael who appeared to the priests in the Church of San Lorenzo in the city of Cordova, Spain in the year 1578. The city was experiencing a major epidemic in which many people were dying. On May 7, San Rafael appeared and said, “I swear by Jesus Crucified, I'm Rafael the Angel whom God put as the keeper of the city." After that, people did not die any more because of plague. A major church was erected in the 18th and 19th century to symbolize the city being protected under the Archangel Raphael. May we give thanks for the many ways God blesses us on our journey of faith.  

8 May 2024 - Wednesday of the 6th week of Easter - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you are the vine and we are the branches. 

Christ Jesus - you lead us to new life. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope and encouragement. 

Priest: With the Easter joy of the risen Lord in our hearts, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For all Church leaders, may they learn wisdom and patience from God, leading their people in justice and peace.  

2. For Christians everywhere: that we who have been called to follow Christ may instruments of healing and forgiveness in their families and communities. 

4. For all who suffer for the Gospel: that God will give them patience and guide them in following the example of Jesus who entrusted himself to God’s providence. 

5. For all who are discerning a call to ministry: that they will recognize God’s invitation, open their hearts to God who loves them, and follow Jesus in serving others.  

6. For healing for the sick and the shut-in.  For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.  

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

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

7 May 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 6th week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us the Father’s love.  

Lord Jesus - you bring us redemption and salvation. 

Priest; As we continue our celebration of the Easter season, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church: that we may allow Christ to bring forth abundant life within us and guide us in using our gifts for God’s glory

2. For a heart of mercy: that we may put our intentions and words into action in reaching out to those in need. 

3. For all who minister in the church: that they will faithfully help others find Christ by the witness of their lives, the truth of their words, and the integrity of their actions

4. For Pope Francis and all Church leaders lay and ordained: that they may faithfully imitate Christ in accompanying the people of God on their journey and encouraging them in their lives of faith.  

5. For healing for those who are sick in body, mind, and spirit. For healing for those battling addictions and living with mental health issues. 

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life. For our deceased loved ones and family members.  

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts this evening.  

Priest: As we experience the joy of the Easter season in our lives of faith, we present our prayers this evening through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Prayers of the faithful - feast of St Joseph the Worker - 2024 May 1

Lord Jesus You grew up with Mary and Joseph in Nazareth - Lord have mercy 

Christ Jesus - You give dignity to human work - Christ have mercy

Lord Jesus - You are our Lord and our Savior - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: Lord, you are the source of all holiness. Let us therefore pray to Our Lord God who gave St. Joseph the light and strength he needed to be faithful at all times. 

1. For our Holy Father, Pope Francis, our Bishop Joseph Kopacz, and all priests, that they follow the example of St Joseph and lead us through a responsible and dedicated leadership, we pray to the Lord.

2. For our Christian community, may we respect and love each other, and be dedicated to our families by following the example of Saint Joseph, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For those entrusted with responsibility in various ministries of the church, may they set a modern Christian example for the people they lead, we pray to the Lord.

4. For all laborers and workers, may Saint Joseph the Worker inspire us to work wholeheartedly in this world, seeking always to give God glory and be faithful to the duties assigned to them, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For all humanity, that through the intercession of  Saint Joseph, we may find the opportunity to have secure employment and a fitting standard of living, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts.  We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Father, we praise you for having led Saint Joseph to serve your Son Jesus and his Mother so faithfully; help us to be faithful to our responsibilities and serve you with love. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord for ever and ever. 

Prayers of the faithful - Thursday Of the 4th week of Easter - 2 May 2024

Lord Jesus - you tend your lambs - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you feed your sheep - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you shepherd your flock - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: With faith and hope in the risen Christ, we present our prayer to our God of love and mercy: 

1. For the Church throughout the world. May our faith in God’s love be expressed in our love for one another. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For peace in our world. May all lands that suffer violence and injustice find peace and reconciliation. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For the poor, the homeless, and for those who are unemployed. May our care and concern for those in need be a sign of God’s mercy and compassion. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For the protection and sanctity of human life. May all people be treated with the dignity they deserve. May we respect all human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That the children and youth of our parish may grow in wisdom and grace on their journey of faith.  We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the sick and shut-ins.  For those battling addictions. For those who need healing and reconciliation in their lives. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today.  We pray to the Lord.  

Priest: Heavenly Father, you are present in our midst. We pray that you continue to lead us and guide us as we celebrate the Easter season. We present our prayers through the risen Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

feast of St Philip and St James the Lesser - 3 May 2024 - Prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you call all of us to be your disciples.

Christ Jesus - you draw us beyond our limitations.

Lord Jesus - you call us to be missionary spirit. 

Priest: As we celebrate the apostles Philip and James today on their feast day, let us bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For missionaries and evangelizers, that all of us may proclaim Christ’s Gospel to the world in our words and our actions.

2. For our youth and our children, that the Lord will continue to accompany them and bless them and their families on their journey of faith.

3. For all who are graduating this month from college and from high school, may the Lord bless them in their continued studies and in their future endeavors.

4. For journalists, writers, and broadcasters, may the Lord bless them in their writings and the works they produce.

5. For our first responders, for our medical professionals, for the men and women in the military, for all who keep us safe in society, for their safety and protection.

6. For the sick, the shut-in, for those in the hospitals, hospices, and nursing homes, for healing in body, mind, and spirit.

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

Priest: Generous God, you sent St James the Lesser and St Philip out into the world to bring your Gospel message. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

3 May 2024 - homily for St Philip and St James the Lesser - Friday of the fifth week of the Easter season - John 14:6-14

Today, we celebrate two of the twelve apostles: Philip and James the Lesser.  We know that James is the son of Alphaeus, but we do not know much else about him. He is known as James the Lesser to distinguish him from the other apostle named James, James the Greater, who was the son of Zebedee.  

Philip came from Bethsaida in Galilee, the same town as Peter and Andrew. We hear of Jesus’ interaction with Philip in the story of the feeding of the crowds with the multiplication of the loaves and the fish as told in the Gospel of John. Jesus asks Philip about where they can get bread for the people to eat, which the Gospel notes was asked by Jesus in order to test him. These stories about Philip and the other apostles are told to illustrate how they were able to grow in their faith and collaborate with Jesus in his ministry. 

We see some of Philip’s curiosity in today’s Gospel. Jesus is telling the disciples about his relationship with the Father. In response, Philip wants Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus tells Philip that if one has seen Jesus, he has indeed seen the Father. We might have a similar curiosity about our faith. We may want to see more and want more explanation. A curious mind and the questions we ask will help us in our search for God.

As we celebrate Philip and James the Lesser today, we look back to the Early Church and to the diverse group of the faithful who have been on the journey of faith throughout history. May we always see the saints as our friends who are helping us with their prayers and intercessions along our journey.  

2 May 2024 - St Athanasius - homily for Thursday of the fifth week of Easter - John 15:9-11

In the Gospel today, Jesus commands us to remain in his love just as Jesus has kept his Father’s commandments and has remained in his Father’s love. Jesus’ relationship with God the Father was at the foundation of his teachings and his proclamation of God’s kingdom.  

As such, Jesus’ human and divine identity was the subject of a great deal of discussion and controversy in the Early Church. The Arian heresy arose as a part of this controversy, named after Arius, a teacher and priest who lived in Alexandria, Egypt in the 4th century.  Arius argued that Jesus was a created being with divine attributes rather than a being who was eternally divine. Arius and his beliefs were labeled as heresy at the Council of Nicea in 325. Jesus’ eternal divine nature was professed in the Nicene Creed that came out of that council. I bring up the Arian heresy because the saint we celebrate today, St Athanasius, was instrumental in defeating the Arian heresy. Athanasius was a strong voice in this debate in his role as Bishop of Alexandria, an important leadership position in the Early Church.  This controversy and debate were so heated in the Early Church that Athanasius was exiled five different times for his defense of the doctrine of Christ’s divinity. His writings on the Arian heresy are considered important theological works in the history of the Church, earning Athanasius the title of Doctor of the Church. Among his celebrated writings is the Life of St Anthony, a biography of the famous Desert Father. This biography of Anthony and his teachings are said to have had a great influence on the development of monasticism in the Western Church. We celebrate St Athanasius today and unite our prayer to his. 

1 May 2024 - St Joseph the worker - Wednesday of the fifth week of the Easter season - Matthew 13:54-58

We already celebrate the feast of St Joseph, the spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on March 19 each year. However, to foster a more profound devotion to Saint Joseph amongst the Catholic faithful, and in response to the May 1st celebrations for workers established by Russia and other Communist countries, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast not only emphasizes our relationship with St Joseph, but also the cause of the worker that has been supported by the Catholic Church. The Book of Genesis sees dignity in human work as it is a participation in the creative work of God. Through our work, we human beings can fulfill the command found in Genesis to care for the earth and we can be productive in our labors. St Joseph, a humble carpenter, gives us a great example of the holiness of human labor. Jesus also worked as a carpenter, learning the carpentry trade from Joseph and spending his early adult years working in Joseph’s carpentry shop. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II states that “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.” Pope Pius XII emphasized the dignity of human work exemplified in Joseph when he stated: “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work.” As we celebrate St Joseph the worker today, we pray for that the dignity and respect for all human work be upheld.  

Bulletin Reflection - 5th Sunday of the Easter season - 28 APRIL 2024

We are now at the 5th weekend in the Easter season and at the end of April. Just as the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is an image all of us can relate to, even our children, the parable of vine and vine grower is also an image of our faith that is easy to understand. In a modern world with technology that allows us to function without a lot of face-to-face contact with others, many do not think they need a community of faith in order to be a Christian, that they can do it on their own. However, just as we are connected to God the Son and God the Father in our life of discipleship, we also are intrinsically connected to the community as well. We are called to contribute to the community and to be a part of the community in many different aspects. Perhaps that is something we can reflect upon during the Easter season.

As we wind down our religious education program for the year, I give thanks for all the men and women who have volunteered this year as catechists and teachers to teach and form our children, youth, and adults in the faith. I give thanks to Tammy Threadgill and Christ Halliwell for their leadership in our religious education program. We are very grateful for the contributions they all make to our parish. Blessings to all of you. Father Lincoln. 

Prayers of the faithful - 28 April 2024 - 5th Sunday of the Easter season

Introduction - As we continue our journey through the Easter season, we hear Jesus tell us how we are connected to him and the Father just like a vine is connected to the vine grower. Let us give thanks for the opportunity to live as the Body of Christ here in our parish community. May God continue to bless us as individuals and as a community of faith and may he continue to grant us his grace that helps us meet our challenges in life.

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to freedom from the slavery of sin: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you are the truth that reveals the mercy of the Father: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the way that leads to the eternal dwelling place: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: God has made us a chosen people, a royal priesthood who has been set apart. Now, let us pray for those in need:

1. For the holy Church, as we seek to follow Christ so that we may show the whole world the way to the Father. We pray to the Lord.

2. We pray that our national and world leaders choose the path of peace over the ways of violence and conflict. We pray for those communities and countries divided by violence and war. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all deacons, whose ministry of service dates back to the early days of the Church, for all transitional and permanent deacons in our diocese. And for Hunter Yentzen and Chris Halliwell as they continue their diaconate formation program. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those whose hearts are troubled, who have lost their way and who are in need of guidance and support, that they might find what they need in our community of faith. We pray to the Lord.

5. For the sick and shut-ins of our community. We pray for healing in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.

7. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts, we pray to the Lord. 

Priest: God of love and mercy, your son Jesus Christ shows us the way to you. Teach us to follow him more closely, and hear all these our prayers that we make in his name, for he is our Risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

30 April 2024 - Pope Pius V - homily for Tuesday of the fifth week of Easter - Acts 14:19-28

Today, we hear of Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey.  It is interesting how many of the crowds are so impressed with the miracles and healings that Paul and Barnabas are able to perform in Jesus’ name, that they see them almost as gods themselves. But then those who oppose Paul and Barnabas arrive in town, turning the townspeople against them in acts of violence. One take away I have in hearing about Paul and Barnabas’ missionary work is that they are very diligent in their perseverance and courage in their faith. 

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Pope Pius V who served as pope in the era right after the Protestant Reformation. He was tasked with implementing the teachings of the Council of Trent. In this era, there were a lot of wars and conflicts amongst the various nations, there was the threat of invasion from the Muslims, and there was a lot of corruption that hampered the advancement of the faith. The Council of Trent closed in 1563 after meeting off and on for 18 years.  Pope Pius V assumed his papacy in 1566.  A member of the Dominicans, Pope Pius V founded new seminaries for the proper training of priests. He published a new Roman missal, a new breviary, and a new catechism. He also implemented legislation against abuses in the Church. Beyond that, he stressed service to the sick and the poor and provided food to the hungry. He received opposition to many of these reforms from the governments in places like France, England, and the Roman Empire. 

In hearing these stories about the Early Church and about Pope Pius V, may we take courage on our journey in the obstacles and challenges that we meet. 

30 April 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the fifth week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope. 

Christ Jesus - you bring us your Father’s love.  

Lord Jesus - you are our redeemer and our savior. 

Priest; As we continue our celebration of the Easter season, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church: that we may allow Christ to bring forth abundant life within us and guide us in using our gifts for God’s glory. 

2. That we may put our intentions and words into action in reaching out to those in need, bringing God’s mercy to others. 

3. For all who minister in the church, that they will faithfully help others find Christ by the witness of their lives, by the truth of their words, and by the integrity of their actions

4. For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, both lay and ordained, that they may faithfully imitate Christ in the way they accompany the people of God on their journey of faith. 

5. For healing for those who are sick in body, mind, and spirit. For healing for those battling addictions and living with mental illness. 

6. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.  For our deceased loved ones and family members.  

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts this evening.  

Priest: As we experience the joy of the Easter season in our lives of faith, we present our prayers this evening through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

28 April 2024 – homily for the Fifth Sunday of the Easter Season – Acts 9: 26-31, John 15:1-8

It is hard to believe that we are more than half way through the Easter season now, as today we celebrate the 5th Sunday of Easter.  In three weeks, on May 19, we will commemorate the end of the Easter season with our celebration of Pentecost. The readings we have throughout the Easter season help us reflect upon the presence of the resurrected Lord that is with us and the impact that presence has on our lives. As I thought about our Gospel today, about Jesus being the vine that connects us together as his disciples in the new life we have in him, I thought I would share three objects that spoke to me about today’s Gospel. The first is this branch that comes from Pope Francis’ home country of Argentina.  One of my parishioners from Yazoo City brought me this back from a visit to her daughter when she was working for an oil company in Buenos Aires. It looks like an ordinary branch on the one side, but then you flip it over, you see that it is carved into a crucifix from its natural shape as a branch, that it is Jesus on the cross.  I thought of this branch when I read today's Gospel. The other item is this walking stick.  Back when I was ministering at the state prison in Pearl in 2011, I met a Catholic inmate from the coast who had just been sentenced to a 30 year term and who was in Pearl for processing. I only met him one time before he was shipped out to the prison on the Gulf Coast.  We started a correspondence through letters. Back more than 10 years ago, I wrote to him about about an upcoming pilgrimage I was going to take to Spain on the Camino of St James. Several weeks later, I received a package that his wife had sent. Contained in the package was this walking stick that he had carved from a holly tree on his property. He used the stick to go hiking with his son. He wanted me to have this stick for my hikes and for my pilgrimage. The third item I want to show is a cross that one of my parishioners from Yazoo City made for me from one of the trees on her property.  Lena Mae died some years ago, but I think of her when I see this cross hanging on the wall of my rectory.  On the back it has inscribed that she gave it to me on Thanksgiving day of 2011. Like the way we are connected with Jesus through as a vine is connected to the different branches, I feel connected to these three wooden object in different ways.  The remind me of the lesson of interconnectedness in this parable. 

 Our connectedness with Jesus in his explanation of the vines and the branches speaks to us today, just as does the reading about the evangelization of the Early Church from the Acts of the Apostles. In the stories of the Early Church in the Easter season readings, we hear about the first evangelization that took place after Christ’s death and resurrection. Why was this evangelization so successful? Why did the Church have converts from the different corners of the Roman Empire? Paul and Barnabas and that original group of disciples were on fire with the word of God permeating their lives. They were filled with joy and enthusiasm to share their faith with others. They wanted to proclaim the Good News to all the world, not letting any obstacles or challenges stand in their way. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis see us called to a new evangelization that is in the spirit of Paul and the members of the Early Church, an evangelization that will energize our own faith and to those to whom we bring the Gospel message. Benedict and Francis have made this message of the new evangelization an important part of their preaching to the world. Pope Francis has proclaimed that the spread of the Gospel is not guaranteed by the number of persons, or by the prestige of the institution, or by the quantity of available resources. According to Pope Francis, what counts is that we be permeated by the love of Christ, that we let ourselves be led by the Holy Spirit and that we graft our own lives onto the tree of life, the cross of Jesus. We are called to be a part of the vine and the branches that connect us to Jesus as his disciples. 

One book that has made an impact on me is a book entitled REBUILT. It talks about Nativity parish in suburban Baltimore, about the process this parish went through to reenergize and revitalize its community of faith. The subtitle of the book is Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making Church matter. The authors of this book see the movement of the Kingdom of God as a movement of love. Ultimately, as modern-day Christians, we are to help restore God’s reign of love. We won’t see God's reign, we will miss it, unless we serve one another. Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical DEUS CARITAS EST (God is Love) states: “Only if I serve my neighbor can my eyes to opened to what God does for me and how he loves me.” Pope Benedict mentions that the saints, such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, constantly renewed their capacity to love their neighbor through their encounter with Christ in Eucharist. This Eucharistic encounter took on more realism and depth through the way they served their neighbor. Thus, love of God and love of neighbor are inseparable in our faith.  Serving others out of our faith is more than caring about another’s need. It is about recognizing the image of God in others through our service, about allowing our service to open our eyes to God and to fall more deeply in love with him.

Just as the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd spoke to us in a very real way in last Sunday’s Gospel, the parable of the vine and the branch speaks to us in ways that we can understand. How are we are part of the vine and the branches her in our parishes of Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception? How are we reaching out to others and collaborating in order to build up the Body of Christ? 

26 April 2024 - homily for Friday of the 4th week of EASTER - Our Mother of Good Counsel - Acts 13:26-33

Today and yesterday, we hear readings from the 13th chapter of Acts, in which Paul is in Antioch, addressing the people in the synagogue about Christ’s Good News. For Paul and his companions, their faith in Jesus, Jesus’ proclamation of God’s kingdom, and his death and resurrection, influence their work of Evangelization and their new life in the Gospel message. Every Easter season, as we hear the story of the founding of the Early Church and the way in which they lived out their faith, we are called to be inspired by their zeal and energy. Everyone remembers that the Second Vatican Council called us to modernize the Church and to read the signs of the times of the modern world.  But the Council also called us to harken back to the traditions and teachings of the Early Church, to see our roots and our foundation as a community of believers in what they believed and in what they practiced.

Today, we also celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Good Counsel, a wonderful story about Mary that takes place in Genazzano, Italy, where the Augustine friars had a monastery and where they ministered in the parish church of Our Lady of Good Counsel.  As the Augustinian brothers were renovating the church in 1467, a marble figure of Mary was removed. At that site, there miraculously appeared an image of Mary and the child Jesus. That image took on the title of the parish church, Our Lady of the Good Counsel. According to an old tradition, that same icon was venerated in Albania under the name Our Lady of the Albanians. It is said that this image disappeared from a church as Albania after it was being invaded by infidels. Legend says that it was miraculously relocated by divine intervention to the church in Italy. This church became the site of pilgrimage. Pope John XXIII was a pilgrim to the shrine there on the eve of the Second Vatican Council, and Pope John Paul II visited it before going to Albania to re-establish the hierarchy there following the collapse of communism. Mary is known under the title of Mother of Good Counsel for the good advice she gave, especially at the wedding of Cana. Mary is blessed for not only being the Mother of our Lord, but also for being his first disciple.  May we unite our prayers with Mary’s prayers today.  

 

prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 4th week of Easter - 26 April 2024

Lord Jesus - you are the word of God - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you bring us the love of your Father - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are a light in the world - Lord have mercy.

PRIEST: As we celebrate the joyful Easter season, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For all who follow Christ in their daily lives, that his love may be visible in their words and actions.

2. For those who seek Christ's truth in the reality of life, that the Holy Spirit lead us and guide us each day.

3. For our children and youth, that they always find hope and encouragement on their journey of faith.

4. For all who are suffering or struggling in any way, and for all who need healing of body, mind or spirit: that the love of family, friends, and neighbors may remind them of God’s loving care.

5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life, and for the souls in purgatory.

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

PRIEST: Heavenly Father, we ask that you continue to lead and guide your people during the Easter season. Hear the prayers we make through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. Amen.

25 April 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Feast day of St Mark the Evangelist

Lord Jesus, you were sent to preach the good news: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you were sent to plant in our hearts the spark of eternal life: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you were sent to reconcile us to yourself by the shedding of your blood: Lord, have mercy.  

Prayers of the faithful: 

Priest: Encouraged by our fellowship with St Mark and all the saints, let us make our prayers to the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1. As Jesus called men and women as his disciples to leave their past behind and to follow him, may you look with mercy upon those whom he calls today.

2. Jesus told his disciples not to be afraid and breathed on them his gift of peace. May you look with mercy on the world into which he sent them out, and give us the peace for which we long. 

3. Jesus formed a company of disciples who were both servant leaders and friends. May you look with mercy upon our families and our friends and upon the communities in which we serve. 

4. Jesus sent out disciples to preach and heal the sick. May you look with mercy on all those who yearn to hear his good news of salvation. We pray for those who are sick in mind, body, or spirit. 

5. Jesus promised his followed him that they would share the banquet of God's kingdom. May you look with mercy on those who walked with Christ in this life and now have passed through death. 

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

Priest: Almighty God, grant that your Church may faithfully hold and make known the faith that has come to us through Mark and the other members of the community of saints, that with them, we may inherit the glories of eternal life. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

25 April 2024 – homily for Feast of St Mark, Evangelist – Mark 16:15-20

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St. Mark the evangelist. We believe Mark’s Gospel to be the oldest of the four Gospels in the New Testament. It was probably written sometime around 60 AD, primarily for Gentile converts to the faith in Rome. 

In today’s reading from Mark, we hear the commission that Jesus gives to his apostles. Jesus' last words to these apostles point us to his saving mission and to the call he gives to them to be witnesses to his saving death and resurrection, to proclaim the Good News of salvation to all. 

While some of us are ordained to specific ministries in the Church, with me ordained to the priest and serving as a parish priest and as vicar general, while some of us are sent as missionaries to different parts of the world, all of us as Jesus’ followers share in the task of being heralds of his Good News.  We are not left alone to this task, as we are members of the Body of Christ, the Church. The risen Lord works in us and through us by the power of his Holy Spirit. Through our words and actions, the risen Christ is a real presence in the world today. 

Celebrating the feast day of St. Mark the Evangelist reminds us of how central the apostolic faith of the early Church is to our tradition and to our faith. Not only did the Second Vatican Council modernize and renew our traditions in the context of our culture, but it calls us back to the roots of our faith as expressed by the evangelists, the Early Church Fathers and Mothers, and the apostles. In the spirit of St. Mark and the commission that Jesus gives to all his followers, may we be filled with the joy of the risen Christ. May we long to live a life of praise and thanksgiving for the glory of God.

24 April 2024 - Wednesday of the fourth week of Easter - John 12:44-50

Most of us here at mass this evening have probably had electricity as a part of our lives since we were born. Most of us have had electricity outages from one time or another.  A lot of people in the Jackson area lost power for a period of time in the storms a couple of weeks ago. Many parts of the world have a much less secure and less advanced electricity grid than we do. Where I lived as a missionary in Ecuador and where I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Guinea in Africa, we did not have electricity all of the time.  Electricity has certainly changed the world. When I was on the Camino in Spain this past winter, the sun did not rise until about 8:30 am, so most mornings I was walking in darkness for at least an hour or two. Since many of the areas were down remote paths, there was not a lot of light. One year, on my last day of my walk into the city of Santiago de Compostela, I decided to start out very early in the morning – at 4:45 am – so that I could arrive at the pilgrims’ office that morning to register as a pilgrim and attend the pilgrims’ mass at noon. During those early morning hours, I spent time in a eucalyptus forest and down some very remote paths in total darkness before the sunrise. The quiet dark hours that gave way to a beautiful sunset were very spiritual and prayer-filled. I remember the little LED flashlight I used on the Camino in those early morning hours that gave me enough light to see where I was going. Jesus is the light of our world. His light helps us navigate through the darkness of our world. Jesus is the one who illuminates those values of our faith that we are to live by. May we see Jesus as our light in the midst of those things that could take us off our path of faith.

24 April 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 4th week of Easter

Lord Jesus - you fill us with Easter joy - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you accompany the people of God on their journey of faith - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: Gathered around the altar of the Lord, we bring our supplications on behalf of all who are in need:

1. That we in the Church may find ways to both preach the word and serve our neighbor. 

2. For our elected leaders, that they may serve with wisdom, compassion and humility. 

3. For an end to violence and terrorism in our nation and throughout the world. 

4. For all those who are graduating high school and college, may the Lord give them joy and encouragement as they reach this milestone in life.  

5.  That we will come to see the Lord Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. 

6. For the sick and shut-in, for the faithful departed, and for those prayers we hold in our hearts today. 

Priest: God of all, you sent your only Son to us as a sign of hope and faith. Help us always to keep his way firmly in our sights as we make these prayers to you in his name, Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord forever and ever.

Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 4th week of Easter - 23 April 2024

Lord Jesus - you tend your lambs - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you feed your sheep - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you shepherd your flock - Lord have mercy. 

With faith and hope in the risen Christ, we present our prayer to our God of love and mercy: 

1. For the Church throughout the world. May our faith in God’s love for us be expressed in our love for one another. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For peace in our world. May all lands that suffer violence and injustice work toward peace and reconciliation. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For the poor, the homeless, the afflicted, and the unemployed. May our care and concern for those in need be a sign of God’s love and mercy. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For the protection and sanctity of human life. May all people be treated with the dignity they deserve. May we respect all human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.  We pray to the Lord. 

5. For our youth who received the sacrament of confirmation earlier this month. May they grow in wisdom and grace on their journey of faith. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the sick and shut-ins. For those who need healing and in their lives in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts today. We pray to the Lord.  

Priest: Heavenly Father, you are present in our midst. We pray that you continue to lead us and guide us as we celebrate the Easter season. We present our prayers through the risen Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.