21 June 2026 - Catholic blessing for Father's Day

God our Father, you govern and protect your people and you shepherd them with a father’s love.

You place fathers in our families and in our communities as signs of your love, care, and protection.

We pray for our fathers with us today that they may be faithful to the example shown to us in sacred Scripture:

steadfast in love, 

forgiving and merciful,

sustaining their families, 

and caring for the poor and the oppressed.

We pray for wisdom for our fathers, that they may encourage and guide their children and members of our community.

Guide our fathers and grandfathers with the spirit of your love. May they grow in holiness and draw their family ever closer to you.

We ask this blessing for our fathers and grandfathers and great grandfathers today – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

21 June 2026 - prayer to confront our fears - inspired by the spirituality of St Therese

In our reading from the 10th chapter of Matthew's Gospel on the weekend of 21 June 2026, Jesus states three times that we are not to be afraid. But often, we can be afraid on our journey of faith. Here is a prayer that addresses those fears that was inspired by the spirit of St Therese, the little flower: 

Dear Father: My heart and mind are flooded with fears. Sometimes I am paralyzed,  I feel unable to go on. These fears are overwhelming, they remain with me day and night. Yet I hold onto your truth. You have told us not to fear, for you have overcome the world. So I cling to you, I trust in your promises, that you will never fail me, never forsake me. In moments of such crippling fear, I choose to hold your hand. I know you have experienced the most fearful places, I know that you have risen again. In you all promises meet and new life begins. You are my Savior, I hide in you, protected by your love, and sheltered by your grace. My Father. Amen. 

Prayers of the faithful for the 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time - 5 July 2026

Introduction: With great joy, we celebrate our nation’s independence day this weekend and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As we gather as a community of faith, may we give thanks for the many blessings we have as individuals, as families, and as a nation. We we approach the Lord’s table today with reverence and hope. 

Lord Jesus - you give praise to your heavenly Father. 

Christ Jesus - you reach out to those who are burdened in life. 

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

Priest: Christ invites us to come to him with all that burdens us. In his name, we now offer our prayers with hope and trust: 

1. We pray for Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Kopacz, and all the bishops of our Church. May they be strengthened by the Spirit in proclaiming the Gospel to the world. We pray to the Lord. 

2. We pray for all religious and governmental leaders. At all levels, may they be led to a realistic collaboration to bring peace to the world. We pray to the Lord. 

3. We pray for people struggling with anxiety or stress in their lives, especially those who have suffered abuse of any kind. May we, as members of your church, reach out to all in need to help lighten their burdens. We pray to the Lord. 

4. We pray for the sick and the afflicted of our parish. For all who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 
5. We pray for our country as we celebrate the 4th of July this weekend. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For boldness and courage in our lives of discipleship. That we may be faithful in our witness to the Gospel message and dedicated in our service. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: We praise you, O God, for all the ways in which you care for your people. Receive these prayers on behalf of those who seek healing and release from life’s burdens. We ask this through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

Bulletin Reflection - 5 July 2026 - 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This weekend we celebrate our country’s national holiday and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. As we remember how the US Bishops consecrated our country to the Sacred Heart of Jesus last month in honor of that 25th anniversary, I pray that all of us continue to grow in our devotion to the Sacred Heart and in our love for the Eucharist. May we continue to find ways that we can live out the spirit of the Eucharist each day. I wish all of you a blessed holiday weekend. May we pray together for our country and give thanks for the many blessings we have had as a nation. Father Lincoln. 

3 June 2026 - homily for memorial of St Thomas the Apostle - John 20:24-29

“Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hand and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” The apostle Thomas is remembered primarily by this statement he makes in in John’s Gospel. This statement is symbolic of how many in the world today view Christianity and all religion. Many demand proof and have the need to see. They want something tangible, concrete, and visible.  

No one today can see and experience Christ in the way Thomas did in that locked room. Thomas saw the risen Christ eating, praying, and discussing the events of the past week with his group of disciples.  We cannot literally put our fingers in the wounds in his hands and his side like Thomas did.  Christ seemed to know this when he said: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”  We might not see him in a literal the way that Thomas did, but all who believe see Christ somehow in their lives of faith. They see him for who he is. 

We must see Jesus somehow with our own eyes.  Like Thomas and the other disciples, we also become followers of Christ through our faith. Through witnessing Christ’s presence in our lives, we in turn are called to be witnesses ourselves, just as Thomas did in his life when he became a missionary to Syria, Persia, and India. We pray that God help us in our disbelief. That God will watch over us on our journey of faith. 

3 July 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Friday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God. 

Christ Jesus - you send us out into the world to bring your Gospel message. 

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

Priest: We are grateful for God’s many blessings. Let us lift up our hearts in prayer:

1. That the Spirit of God may inspire and guide every dimension of our lives. 

2. As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this weekend, that our community of faith may be a witness to the common good and the dignity of every human person. 

3. For those who teach, counsel, and care for children and youth. May the Lord lead them and guide them in the sacred responsibility of their work.  

4. For the poor and the most vulnerable of society. 

5. That the great compassion of God will restore to health and give hope to the sick, the suffering, the recovering, and the dying. 

6. That the souls of the faithful who have died find rest and peace in the presence of God forever. 

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

Priest: As we lift our voices to you in prayer, O God, raise our spirits to the joy of your presence; as we lift up our hearts to you in hope, transform our lives into the glorious life of your Son, the risen Christ, in whose name we offer these prayers. Amen.

2 July 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Thursday of the 13th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring healing into our lives. 

Christ Jesus - you forgive the sins of the contrite. 

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

Priest: With humble hearts, we present our prayers to our loving God:

1. May our Church leaders and governmental leaders always lead us in justice and peace. 

2. May adequate food, health care, and shelter be available for all people. We pray to the Lord. 

3. May our daily lives give witness to our faith. 

4. For all who have gone before us in death. May our loved ones feast in the presence of Christ in the eternal glory of heaven.

5. May those who grieve find hope in their faith. 

6. For our deceased family members and loved ones. For their unity in eternal life with God. 

7. For healing for those who are most need of God’s love and care. 

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