13 September 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 24th Sunday of Ordinary Time CYCLE A - prison ministry

Lord Jesus - you are merciful and compassionate. 

Christ Jesus - you hear the cries of the poor and the brokenhearted. 

Lord Jesus - you help us to forgive. 

Priest: In the light of God’s compassion and mercy, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. That we Christians may courageously share Jesus’ message of unconditional love and reach out to those most in need. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our world leaders may be granted wisdom and compassion to hear the cries of the poor, the vulnerable, and the oppressed. We pray for all who live behind bars. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For the sick, the afflicted, and the lonely. That those experiencing physical pain or mental anguish may feel God’s consoling presence and healing power. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That the Lord continue to accompany our children, youth, and college students in their studies and their school activities. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That catechists and teachers working in faith formation may shine the light of God’s truth on their students. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That the Body and Blood of Christ that we receive in the Eucharist help us to be witnesses to the Gospel message in our words and our actions. We pray to the Lord. 

7. That in our works of mercy and charity, we may reach out to the hungry, the homeless, and the brokenhearted. Lord, hear us. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For our deceased loved ones and family members. That they may be welcomed into the eternal peace of God’s kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

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

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

20 September 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A prison ministry

Lord Jesus - you meet us in the midst of our reality. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom to the world. 

Lord Jesus - you challenge us to live a life of discipleship.

Priest: As we seek the Lord while he may be found, as we come before the Lord’s divine presence at Mass today, let us bring him our prayers and petitions:

1. For the holy church of God. May we as the people of God recommit

ourselves to the “fruitful labor” of sharing his love and compassion with our brother in need of hearing this message. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For the leaders of the world. May they remember that the first will be last and last will be first. May they reach out to those most in need. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September. For the care of water. May we pray for the just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

4. For all who labor in society and all who labor in the vineyard of the Lord. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the members of our Catholic faith community of St Michael here at CMCF. May we persevere

in the ways we seek God in all things and come to know God’s presence. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For all those who have died, especially our loved ones and family members. After their lives here on earth, may they find union with God in his eternal kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our own personal prayer intentions. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Gracious God, may we be confident that you are near to all who call upon you in their need. We ask you to hear our prayers in the name of Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN. 

12 September 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for the feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary - prayers of the faithful for Saturday of the 23rd week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are the son of Mary. 

Christ Jesus - you are the son of the living God. 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom. 

Priest: As we honor the name of Mary in a special way today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father: 

1. For all who are discouraged by the burdens of life. That God will renew their hearts.

2. That those individuals and societies who are trapped in conflict may find ways to heal divisions and plant the seeds of peace. 

3. That God’s healing love will strengthen the sick and the afflicted, remove their pain, and restore them to wholeness. 

4. That God will continue to accompany and bless our children, youth, and college students through their activities and studies. 

5. For those who are persecuted for the practice of their religion here in the United States and throughout the world. 

6. For the Carmelite sisters here in Jackson, for Carmelites throughout the world, and for members of the secular Carmelite order here in the Diocese of Jackson. 

7. For Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September. For the care of water. May we pray for the just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

8. That we may unite our prayers with the prayers of Mary and the community of saints today. For those who have asked for our prayers. 

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

12 September 2026 - homily for Saturday of the 23rd week in ordinary time - Luke 6:43-49

In the Gospel today, we hear about how we are to bear good fruit in our lives of faith. Out of our faith, we want to bear fruit through our words and our actions, to share our faith with others in different ways. On our journey of faith, Jesus challenges us to connect our interior life of faith and our actions with the values of his Gospel message. 

Today, we celebrate a feast that dates back to the 16th century, but was then eliminated in the reforms after the Second Vatican Council, and then was restored by Pope John Paul II in 2002: the feast of the most holy name of Mary. In accordance with Jewish custom, Mary's parents named her eight days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary. The celebration of this memorial follows that of her Birthday, which we celebrated on September 5.  This is a counterpoint to the memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus which is celebrated on January 3.  This feast originated in Spain and was approved by the Vatican in 1513.  Pope Innocent XI extended its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to our Lady for the victory on September 12, 1683 by Holy Roman Empire over the Ottomans, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the rest of Western Europe. 

Pope Benedict XVI, in an address at a Cistercian monastery in Austria in 2007, said that he wanted to invite everyone to become a trusting child before Mary, even as the Son of God did. He stated: “Where Mary is, there is the archetype of total self-giving and Christian discipleship. Where Mary is, there is the Pentecostal breath of the Holy Spirit; there is new beginning and authentic renewal.”

The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, means lady or sovereign.  We call Mary our Lady just as we call Jesus our Lord. Pope Francis ended his apostolic exhortation the Gospel of Joy with a Section on Mary, writing: “Mary is always present in the midst of the people.” Mary is indeed always with us. Her prayers and intercession are always with us to bring us closer to her son.  As we honor the most holy name of Mary today, may we feel her presence with us.  

20 September 2026 - prayers of the faithful for the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

Lord Jesus - you meet us in the midst of our reality. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom to the world. 

Lord Jesus - you challenge us to live a life of discipleship.

Priest: As we seek the Lord while he may be found, as we come before his divine presence at Mass today, let us bring him our prayers and petitions:

1. For the holy church of God. May we as the people of God recommit

ourselves to the “fruitful labor” of sharing his love and compassion with a world in need. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For the leaders of the world. May they remember the first will be last and last will be first. May they reach out to those most in need. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September. For the care of water. May we pray for the just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

4. For all who labor in society and all who labor in the vineyard of the Lord. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the members of our parish community of faith. May we persevere in the ways we seek God in all things and come to know God’s presence in our daily lives. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For all those who have died, especially our loved ones and family members. After their lives here on earth, may they find union with God in his eternal kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For our own personal prayer intentions. For those who have asked for our prayers. We pray to the Lord. 

Priest: Gracious God, may we be confident that you are near to all who call upon you in their need. We ask you to hear our prayers in the name of Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN. 

20 September 2026 - Bulletin reflection for the 25th Sunday of ordinary time

Every month, Pope Leo XIV has a prayer intention for the world. I always find it interesting to see what he prayers for and how it intersects with our reality. The month of September he prays for the care of water, praying for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.  With the problems the city of Jackson has had with its water system, with the lack of water that is a reality in a lot of communities here in the United States and throughout the world, this is a very relevant prayer intention for us today. We pray for the city of Jackson and those in communities who are struggling with water issues and other basic needs. May we as a society and as a Church work on those things that are important to us to have a society where our families can grow and flourish. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln. 

22 September 2026 - prayers of the faithful for Tuesday the 25th week in ordinary time

Lord Jesus - you meet us in the midst of our reality. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim God’s kingdom to the world. 

Lord Jesus - you challenge us to live a life of discipleship. 

Priest: May we always seek from God what is good. In our prayers today may, we strive to discern the will of God:

1. For Pope Leo XIV, his fellow bishops, and all our Church leaders. By the witness of their word and example, may they encourage us to take up our crosses every day and to follow Jesus.

2. For our civil and political leaders. May God grant them the gift of wisdom to equip them to serve all people well.

3. For all people who are suffering because of their belief in Christ. May they remain steadfast in their faith. 

4. For the sick and afflicted of our parish and our community.  For all those who have asked for our prayers.
5. For our deceased loved ones and family members. For those who have died recently. May they rejoice in the presence of God’s unconditional love in eternal life with him. 

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

Priest: God of compassion, listen to our petitions on behalf of all those who need of your mercy and healing. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.