26 May 2024 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity - Prayers of the Faithful

Introduction - Baptized in the Holy Spirit, we invoke the Triune God today as we begin the mass with the sign of the cross. As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity today, let us reflect upon our Christian life in the Trinity in our words and our actions each day. 

Penitential Rite

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

Lord Jesus, you bring us salvation through your death and resurrection:

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the source of everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.

PRIEST: The God of the Trinity loves us and saves us.  In the name of the Triune God, let us now present our prayers: 

1. For God’s holy Church throughout the world, that we may strive to share the great good news of the salvation won for us in Christ Jesus, we pray to the Lord.

2. For peace and reconciliation in all the nations of the world, that the kingdom of the God of love and peace may rule throughout the earth, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For all who are living out the sacrament of marriage in their lives and all who are preparing to celebrate that sacrament, that their union of love might reflect the divine love among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, we pray to the Lord.

4. For farmers and gardeners; for good weather as their crops and their gardens for our nourishment and for the betterment of our community, we pray to the Lord.

5. For catechists, teachers, and all who help us grow in our faith, in thanksgiving for all that they do, we pray to the Lord.

6. For the Sick and shut-ins of our community. For healing in their lives and in thanks for their caregivers. We pray to the Lord.  

7. For 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 mercy and compassion, in your love for us, you sent your only Son for our salvation. Graciously hear our prayers in his name, for he is Lord with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. AMEN.  

Bulletin Reflection - The Most Holy Trinity

As I reflect upon the solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity that we celebrate this weekend, I thought of my visits throughout the Diocese to different parishes in my role as vicar general.  I thought of the different things we are involved in here in the Jackson metro area. Our ministry in the Diocese of Jackson should be rooted in our life in the Trinity: in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our faith has its foundations in the Trinity, as we are not just baptized in the name of Jesus, but rather in the name of the Trinity, as mandated by Jesus himself. We participate in the life of the Trinity as disciples of Christ. Gregory of Nyssa (335-395), an Early Church Father who wrote a great deal about the Trinity, stated that “Holy Baptism imparts to us the grace of eternal life because of our faith in the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” We are called to emulate the love of the Trinity in the way we live as disciples of Christ. Reaching to others and evangelizing the community are some of the ways we can live out the love of the Most Holy Trinity in the reality of daily life. Blessings to all of you on this great solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity that we celebrate today in our Church’s liturgical year. Father Lincoln.

Bulletin Reflection - Pentecost - 19 MAY 2024

We have now completed our journey through the Easter season this year as we celebrate Pentecost this weekend. The Holy Spirit has been alive in our Church and in our parish in many unique ways during the Easter season this year. We have had an ordination to the priesthood. We have had the confirmation of the youth here at Holy Savior. We have been engaged in different corporal and spiritual works of mercy. This weekend, we celebrate the Holy Spirit and Pentecost in a special way at our Pentecost luncheon in our food and our fellowship. In one of our readings today for Pentecost from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he states that it is only through the Holy Spirit that we are able to say that Jesus is Lord. The Spirit unites all of us in the Body of Christ, no matter what our background, no matter from where we come. Blessings to all of you this Pentecost weekend. Father Lincoln.

Prayers of the faithful - Pentecost - 19 May 2024

Introduction: As we reach the end of the joyful Easter season, we very appropriately conclude our celebration of the resurrected Christ with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May our prayers today be prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving for the presence of the Holy Spirit and the resurrected Christ in our lives.

Penitential Rite:

Lord Jesus, as you died on the cross as a sign of love: Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus, you ascended into heaven and are seated at the right hand of the Father: Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you send us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to bring us healing and peace: Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

PRIEST: Let us pray today in the presence of the Holy Spirit for our brothers and sisters in our own local community and throughout the world. 

1. For our Church, led by Pope Francis and Bishop Kopacz, as we seek to be a Church that longs to preach the Gospel to the world with justice and conviction. We pray to the Lord.

2. That the peace of the Holy Spirit may dwell in our hearts as we share that peace with others in our words and actions. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all who have celebrated sacraments of initiation this Easter season, for those who went through our RCIA program, and for the youth who received confirmation this spring, that they may grow in their appreciation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that they have received. We pray to the Lord. 

4. For those who are discerning their vocation in life. We pray especially for all who are being called to the priesthood, the diaconate, religious life, or lay ministry in response to the call of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That summer vacation be a time of rest, refreshment, new vitality, and safe travels. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the sick and shut-in of our parish community. For those in the hospital, hospice and nursing home. Let us pray to the Lord.

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

PRIEST: Merciful God, your gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the mission of our savior Jesus Christ here on earth. Give us the courage to accept our mission as disciples of Christ. We make these prayers in the name of your Son, our risen Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

prayers of the faithful - prison ministry - Pentecost - 19 May 2024

Introduction: As we reach the end of the joyful Easter season, we conclude our celebration of the resurrected Christ with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. May we present prayers of gratitude for the presence of the Holy Spirit and the resurrected Christ in our lives.

PRIEST: Penitential rite:  

Lord Jesus, as you died on the cross as a sign of love: Lord have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you ascended into heaven and are seated at the right hand of the Father: Christ, have mercy.


Lord Jesus, you send us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to bring us healing and peace: Lord have mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful:


PRIEST: Let us pray today in the presence of the Holy Spirit for our brothers and sisters in our own local community and throughout the world. 

1. For our Church, led by Pope Francis and Bishop Kopacz, as we seek to be a Church that preaches the Gospel to the world with justice and conviction. We pray to the Lord.


2. That the peace of the Holy Spirit may dwell in our hearts as we share that peace with others. We pray to the Lord.


3. For all who came into the Church at Easter, that they may grow in their appreciation for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that they have received. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That all of us may discern the call that God has for us in life. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For the men who are in vocational and educational programs here at CMCF.  May the Lord bless their studies. We pray to the Lord.


6. For the sick of our community. For those who need healing in body, mind of spirit. Let us pray to the Lord.


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


PRIEST: Merciful God, your gift of the Holy Spirit enables us to continue the mission of our savior Jesus Christ here on earth. Give us the courage to accept our mission as disciples of Christ. We make these prayers in the name of your Son, our risen Lord for ever and ever. AMEN. 

 

19 May 2024 - Homily for Pentecost - Acts 2:1-11 - John 20:19-23

We welcome you all to our celebration of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the end of our joyful season of Easter. We look forward to our meal after our Sunday morning Mass at Holy Savior, celebrating Pentecost with different ethnic foods celebrating our families and our ethnic heritage. We priests wear red vestments on Pentecost, symbolizing the burning fire of God’s love and the tongues of fire that descended on the apostles, as described in the first reading today. In some parts of Italy on Pentecost, there is a tradition of scattering rose leaves from the ceiling of the church to recall this story of the fiery tongues. I was able to see this firsthand last year when I traveled to Rome with my Notre Dame program and attended Mass at the Pantheon with Dr Timothy O’Malley and my other classmates. It was an amazing experience. In some parts of France, there is a tradition to blow trumpets during Mass on Pentecost Sunday, recalling the sound of driving wind, another symbol of the Holy Spirit.  The great wind of the Holy Spirit is also referred to in our reading from Acts of the Apostles today. 

The message of the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles was not something they kept to themselves; the apostles immediately began to speak to the crowds that had assembled in Jerusalem. The crowds were comprised of persons from different places such as North Africa, Asia Minor, Rome, and all over the Mediterranean basin. Those in the crowd were amazed to hear these men speaking to them so that all could understand the message in their own native tongue.  The apostles were commissioned by the Holy Spirit to speak a message that is meant for all, not just for one people or one nation. The 11th chapter of Genesis, reports that out of their arrogance and pride, men tried to build a tower that reached up to heaven. God punished them by having them speak different languages, unintelligible to others. As a result of this arrogance, humanity became deeply divided. What happens today at Pentecost is the opposite of the Tower of Babel, as all are speaking and hearing God’s message with full understanding. Rather than being divided out of arrogance and pride, people are brought together in unity under God.

At Pentecost, Christ brings us a message of peace today, just as he brought a message of peace to the apostles as they huddled in fear in today’s Gospel. We receive the same call that Jesus gives the apostles, saying that as the Father sends him, so he also sends us. We are called is to continue Christ’s mission in the world. 

As I thought about the Holy Spirit at the center of our celebration of Pentecost today, I thought about the questions a lot of us might have. Who exactly is the Holy Spirt. A great wind? A presence within? A mysterious ghost? A personal being? Pope Benedict once stated that the Holy Spirit is perhaps the most neglected person of the Trinity.  Perhaps because we are a bit unsure about the Holy Spirit, we might not know how to welcome him into our lives.  

In an address he gave at St Peter Square in 2012, Pope Benedict XVI asserted that the Holy Spirit is indeed a real presence, stating that all “Christians should avail themselves to the Holy Spirit in prayer, particularly when they cannot find the words or inspiration to pray.” Benedict talked about how “Paul teaches us that in our prayers we must open ourselves to the presence and action of the Holy Spirit, who prays in us with inexpressible groanings, to bring us to adhere to God with our whole heart and with all our being,”  The Holy Spirit can be the strength in our weak prayers, the light of our dimmed prayers, and the focus of our dry prayers. The Spirit can give us inner freedom and can teach us how to face our trials, assuring us that we’re never alone, that the Spirit is always with us. We can call upon the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts and actions. 

Come Holy Spirit; renew the face of the earth.  Help us to live out our faith with courage and conviction, with compassion and love. As we celebrate Pentecost this weekend, we joyfully celebrate the Spirit that is with us and the responsibility that comes with it.  

Mother's Day blessing - 12 May 2024

     God, our creator, we give you thanks for the many gifts you give us, for the gift of life and for the gift of those who love us. As we celebrate Mothers Day, we give thanks for the gift of our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers.

      We give thanks for those mothers and grandmothers who have passed away, for the unique way they’ve revealed your love for us. We ask that you to continue to bless them and keep them in your care, until the time comes for us to join them in your heavenly kingdom.

      We ask your blessing upon the mothers and grandmothers who live far distances from us. May they know how much we love them.

      We pray for birth mothers who have loved their children so much that they've shared the gift of their child with those who could better care for them and their needs, giving them a secure home.

      We pray for adoptive mothers, that they may always know their special role as true mothers and as a revelation of God’s love for all his children.

       We ask your blessing for mothers who have lost children in many different ways, that they may have your continued strength and courage.

       We ask your blessing upon those who would very much like to be mothers, but who have had trouble conceiving a child.

       We also pray for those women who have been spiritual mothers and grandmothers to us in different ways. 

       We now ask your blessing, Lord, upon all our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers. Give them the strength to follow the faithful and loving lives you call them to live. Let them know of the love and gratitude of their family and their parish community. Protect and guide them.  Keep them in your care. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN. 

11 May 2024 - Saturday of the 6th week of Easter - Acts 18:23-28

We continue to hear about Paul’s missionary journeys in our reading from Acts today.  Paul and his companions often encounter resistance, but they also receive affirmations and conversions.  Today, a man name Apollos, shows how much he has learned about Jesus, but he has only received a baptism in repentance for his sins, not being baptized in Jesus. Apollos is helped by other disciples to learn more about the faith. 

I have a couple of observations about how this reading might apply to us.  First, what efforts are we making to learn more about the faith.  Even though I studied for many years in the seminary and have served in ministry for many years, I still have a lot to learn about the faith. I am constantly trying to read, to study, and to learn from my experiences and my ministry as well. What efforts are we making? 

Secondly, like the disciples who reached out to Apollos and helped him learn more, how are we reaching out to our brothers and sisters?  How are we encouraging and teaching others in the ways of the faith. Being a part of the community of disciples means helping contribute to that community as well. 

6 May 2024 - Monday of the 6th week of Easter - - Commissioning Mass for ACTS retreat - Acts 16:11-15

 It is exciting for us to come together today for our commissioning Mass for the Acts retreat that will take place the first weekend in August.  Our Scripture readings today speak to us in the context of our Acts retreat.  During the Easter season, we hear from the book of Acts, about the formation of the Early Church and their evangelization efforts.  We hear today of Paul venturing into Europe, to the city of Philippi in the province of Macedonia.  Philippi had been named after Philip II, the Father of Alexander the Great. I love hearing about the growth and development of the early Church as recounted to us in Acts. We know that Paul and his companions were on fire for the faith. And no matter what opposition or challenges or persecution they face, they were never deterred from their evangelization efforts.  We hear of the people who were touched by the Gospel message.  Lydia was a Gentile who believed in the God of Israel, although she was not a full convert to Jerusalem.  She allowed her heart to be open to the message that Paul and his companions preached.  She in turn provided a joyful hospitality to them. 

Our most recent Popes have challenged us Catholics to be a part of a new evangelization effort rooted in the example we have in those first apostles in the early Church.  I see our ACTS retreat as a reflection of this new evangelization.  We pray that the Holy Spirit guide the message that we are presenting to the ACTS participants.  We pray that like Lydia, their hearts be open to the message of Christ’s Good News.  And we pray that Holy Spirit lead them and guide them as to how they are respond.  I am thankful for all of you being a part of ACTS and for being a part of the evangelization efforts of our Church and a part of the work of the Holy Spirit. And that important thing is that we are open to the Holy Spirit, to the way he is going to work in our lives and in the lives of all at the retreat.  May we trust in the Holy Spirit as we prepare and plan.  

31 May 2024 - homily for the feast of the visitation - Luke 1:39-56

Our redemption and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ is a freely given gift that God offers us.  We accept this invitation that God gives us and we participate and cooperate in his plan of salvation.  Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Visitation, of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth, we honor the unique role that these two women have in God’s plan of redemption for humanity.  

In the visitation scene each woman recognizes the importance of the other’s child in God’s saving plan. Elizabeth honors Mary for her willingness to participate in God’s saving work, as she states: “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” In response to Elizabeth’s gracious greeting, Mary responds with the Magnificat, a hymn of praise to the Lord for the justice of his kingdom and for his saving outreach to humanity.

For us as modern-day disciples of Christ, the encounter between Mary and Elizabeth reminds us that we, too, participate in God’s plan on our journey of faith here on earth. We have all been called to contribute to and participate in God’s kingdom. We have all been called to take joy in God’s interaction in our lives. Like Mary, may we also proclaim the greatness of the Lord in our words and our actions.  

31 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - feast of the visitation - 31 MAY 2024

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

Christ Jesus - you are the son of Mary - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you meet us in the reality of our lives - Lord have mercy.  

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: Let us unite our prayers with the prayers of Mary as we celebrate the feast of the visitation today.  Let us pray for our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world.

1. For our governmental leaders and our Church leaders - that they may be faithful disciples like Mary, our Blessed Mother.  

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

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

4. That all youth, like Mary, may be open to God’s call in their lives, that they may say “yes” to serving others.  

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

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

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

Priest: Gracious God, you called Mary to visit her cousin Elizabeth in her time of need.  Hear the prayers of your children and grant them in the name of your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.

29 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 8th week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the Good News of God’s kingdom. 

Christ Jesus - you are our Savior and Redeemer. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us hope and love. 

Priest: We present our prayers to our heavenly Father with faith and hope as we journey through ordinary time:

1. That the Church, empowered by the Holy Spirit, may faithfully give witness to the Gospel and continue Christ’s mission. 

2. For all who are awaiting the gift of the Holy Spirit in their lives, that their hearts may be open and their spirits receptive to all the gifts of God.

3. That we in the Church may allow the Holy Spirit to work through our words, deeds, and relationships to draw others to the faith.

4. That our hearts may be enlightened and our hope made firm in God who has called us to continue the mission of Jesus in the world. 

5. For healing in our lives in body, mind and spirit. 

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

7. 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. 

30 May 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 8th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to discipleship

Christ Jesus - you call us to be courageous in our faith. 

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and Redeemer. 

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

1. That we in the Church may live as a Eucharistic people, giving and sharing of ourselves, as Christ continually does for us. 

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

3. For our children and youth, that they safe during the summer break and see God in their experiences this summer. 

4. For the Gospel of Life: may all profess the dignity of human life in their words and actions. 

5. That our faithfulness as disciples of Christ mirror the faithfulness Christ has for us.  

6. For the sick and shut-ins. For all who are struggling with mental illness, addictions, and depression. 

7. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life.  For the souls in purgatory. 

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.   

29 May 2024 - Wednesday of the 8th week in Ordinary Time - Paul VI - 1 Peter 1:18-25

Today, we hear from the first letter of Peter. In great wisdom, this reading asserts that our salvation was paid for us not by things of the world such as gold or silver, but rather by the blood of Christ.  We have our new life in Christ not in the perishable things of this world, but in things that are eternal and divine. While we see things in this world that are beautiful and that catch our eye, it is the word of God that endures forever. That is where we are called to put our faith and trust.  

Today, we celebrate one of the great shepherds of our Church from the 20th century, Pope Paul VI. With the death of John XXIII, Paul  become pope in 1963, in the middle of the Second Vatican Council.  His papacy lasted for more than 15 years, until his death in 1978. His papacy has left a lasting legacy in our Church in the modern world.  Being Pope at the height of the Cold War and in the midst of the Vietnam War, he addressed the United Nations in New York City in 1965 with these famous words: "No more war, never again war. Peace, it is peace that must guide the destinies of people and of all mankind.”  To foster common bonds with all persons of good will, he decreed an annual day of prayer for peace to be celebrated on January first of every year.  To this day, each pope issues a prayer message for peace on January 1 in St Peter’s Square. Pope Paul VI is famous for this statement which has become a cornerstone of Catholic Social Teaching: “If you want peace, work for justice.”  To me, this message of peace and justice is what I remember most about Pope Paul VI. It is a message I thought of often in my missionary work in different places, including teaching at Greenville High School in the Mississippi Delta, because I certainly saw that as a work of peace and justice. May we never forget this message of peace and justice that is a part of our Catholic faith. 

30 May 2024 - St Joan of Arc - Thursday of the 8th week of Ordinary Time - 1 Peter 1:10-16

I think of the saint that we celebrate today, Joan of Arc, who died on this day in 1431 at the age of 19. She is remembered for her faith in the Lord, a faith that allowed her to lead the troops from France to victory over the English. Through her courage in leading the French troops she was able to say: "I place trust in God, my creator, in all things; I love him with all my heart.” Joan was burned at the stack as a heretic, the victim of the political circumstance of this period, yet the courage in which she lived out her faith has inspired generations of the faithful.  Although she died way back in the early 15th century and was not canonized until the year 1920, almost five hundred years after her death, she remained a saint in the eyes of believers for centuries even before she was officially named a saint by the Church.  One of my favorite novels, Black Robe by Irish-American author Brian Moore, shows a Jesuit priest praying at the site where Joan of Arc was burned at the stack before he leaves for his mission work in 17th century Canada. Her example of faith still speaks to us throughout the centuries. Joan of Arc was able to take risks of faith based upon the enduring word of God that allowed her to rise above those transitory things of our world.  May we also have the strength and courage to stand by the word of God, to have it inspire us and guide us. The psalm refrain states today: “Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.” The joy in which we approach the Lord is not rooted in earthly pleasures, but is rather to be found in the joy of our faith, in the joy of our faithfulness to God.  I am sure Joan of Arc felt joy in her entry into eternal life with the Lord.  

28 May 2024 - Tuesday of the 8th week in Ordinary Time - Mark 10:28-31

Today, we hear the famous saying: “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.” There was a lovely lady at St Richard who used to drive all of the way from the Carthage area to attend the mass at St Richard in Jackson every Sunday morning at 8:00 am. She would arrive in last row of pews in the church at least half an hour before mass to pray and to prepare. She told me that Father Ben Martinez used to often jokingly quote this Scripture passage to her before mass, telling her that the first would be last, and the last would be first, since she was all the way in the last pew in the church without fail.

When I was look at the readings for the day, I came across the name of a Frenchman who died in this date back in 1950; his name is Marc Sangnier. In 1894, Sangnier founded a movement called “Le Sillon”.  That French title would be translated as “The Path” or “The Furrow” in English. Le Sillon was a religious and political movement that aimed to bring Catholicism into dialogue with the reality of the world around it, to provide a religious alternative to Marxism and the anti-clerical labor movement that were drawing a lot of the youth and young adults away from Catholicism in France and in the rest of Europe. Sangnier was inspired by the groundbreaking social justice encyclical Rerum Novarum issued by Pope Leo XIII in 1891, which called for the Catholic Church to address the major social issues at that time. Sangnier’s movement, which became very popular, appeared to have the approval of many bishops and even Pope Pius X.  However, some traditionalists in the Church began to see the movement as too Republican and too modernist, criticizing the movement for what it saw as an emphasis on the opinions and the ideas of ordinary Christian lay people rather than the Church Magisterium and hierarchical authority. A papal letter condemned the organization in 1910, after which the movement dissolved itself. Sangnier retreated to the sidelines. Although he still promoted the cause of democracy and social justice, his voice never regained the prominence it once had. This is a person and a movement that I had never heard of before. However, our history of faith is full of many men and women who responded to God’s call and who tried their best to serve where God is calling them. Many of the saints and theologians who influenced the development of the faith were condemned or judged harshly in the own day. It is only through the lens of history that we can see the positive influence that they had. How is God sending us out in the world?  How is the Holy Spirit working in our lives?

28 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 8th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to obedience. 

Christ Jesus - you call us to Gospel joy. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to serve our neighbor. 

PRIEST: The Lord's steadfast love endures forever: Let us pray for the needs of all God’s children in the name of Jesus, our Savior and our Redeemer: 

1. That Christians throughout the world come together in a unity of purpose, witness, and fellowship. 

2. May our governmental leaders be good stewards of the gifts of God found in creation and may we work together to share these gifts with others, especially the most need.

3. For those who are called to the consecrated life, may they be faithful witnesses of God’s love.

4. May all feel welcome in our community of faith through our words and our actions. 

5. For all those who celebrated the sacraments of initiation this Easter season. May they feel encouraged on their journey of faith. 

6. For those who suffer in body, mind, and spirit: May all the sick find healing in Jesus’ name. 

7. For all who have died: May Christ lead them through the mystery of death and into the green pastures of eternal life with him.

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

PRIEST: We present these prayers through Jesus our Good Shepherd, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN. 

24 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 7th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you draw us to holiness. 

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

Lord Jesus - you are seated at the right hand of the Father where you intercede for us. 

Priest: We now present our prayer to our heavenly Father in faith and love. 

1. For all who are ill: that the Spirit will heal all who are suffering, restore them to their loved ones, and give strength to all who care for them

2.That God will guide and sustain all who serve in ministry in the Diocese of Jackson, both lay and ordained ministry.

3. For all who are graduating this spring, that God will guide them in using their gifts and talents so that they will enrich the world and spread hope and peace through their efforts. 

4. That God will curtail the violence, protect the innocent, and open dialogue between opposing groups engaged in war, particularly in the Holy Land and in Ukraine. 

5. For the faithful departed, for their entry into eternal life.  We pray especially for the souls in purgatory.  

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

Priest: God of love and mercy, we ask that you continue to lead us and guide your flock.  We make our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our risen Lord forever and ever. 

23 May 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life. 

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

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

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

1. That those who announce Christ’s Good News: may faithfully and joyously announce God’s loving presence and generous forgiveness. 

2. That the Holy Spirit will help our youth and young adults recognize their gifts and talents and stir up within them a desire to use their gifts for God's glory. 

3. That the Holy Spirit will inspire us with a renew sense of mission in confronting the values of society and in building a society of justice and peace. 

4. For all who have been initiated into the new life of Christ this Easter season. that they may continue to listen to God, build up the Church, and grow in love. 

5. For Christian unity, that the Holy Spirit will bring forth forgiveness for past wounds, a new spirit of trust, and opportunities to work and pray together for God’s glory. 

6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. 

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

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

24 May 2024 - Mary of Jesus of Agreda Spain - Friday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time - Psalm 103

Mary of Jesus of Agreda, Spain was born in 1602 of noble parents. She was a devout religious child who entered the convent of the Poor Clares at the age of 17. She was known for her unassuming humility and her kindness of heart. She was so beloved by her fellow sisters, that at the age of twenty-five she was elected abbess of the convent, a post she held until her death except for a period of three years. As the superior of her group of nuns, she was always the first amongst her sisters to engage in lowly work, including sweeping the halls, nursing the sick, and washing the linens. She governed her sisters with great wisdom and love. She was so known for her wisdom that persons of the highest rank, including bishops and the king of Spain, asked her for advice.

One incredibly interesting thing about Mary of Agreda is her work with the native people of Texas and New Mexico, even though she never left her convent in Spain.  Through her sacrifices and prayers, she appeared to them through bilocation more than 500 times between 1621 and 1631.  When the Franciscan missionaries arrived, the people told them that a lady in blue had been appearing to them, instructing them in the faith and telling them to ask the missionaries for baptism. Upon investigation it was learned that this Lady in Blue was Mary of Agreda, who, when she was put under obedience to tell what had happened, said she had no explanation. She could not say how she appeared to them, only to say that when she prayed for the welfare of the native people, she just found herself among them and began to instruct them.  She was named venerable not many years after her death and in recent years, there is renewed interest in her beatification. 

Our psalm today declares the Lord to be kind, merciful, and gracious. The kindness and graciousness of the Lord can be seen in Mary of Jesus of Agreda, in her life of humility, prayer, and service.  

23 May 2024 - homily for Thursday of the 7th week of Ordinary Time - James 5:1-6

Today, in a continuation from the letter of James, we hear James criticize the rich. But, if we delve deeply into the message of today’s reading, we see how according to James, the real sin of the rich is not just that they store wealth for themselves, but that they have become wealthy at the expense of others who were deprived of their most basic needs. Specifically, James mentions the wages that the rich withhold from the workers who harvest the fields of the rich. I was reading an article about an electric car company Tesla. Back in 2016, Elon Musk, the founder of the company, was worth $16 million.  Today, his estimated wealth is over $190 billion. At the same time, his company just laid off 10% of its work force and the  problem of homelessness in California is getting worse and worse each year.  Many working people have a hard time making basic needs.  At the same time, Elan Musk’s wealth has been accumulated with the help of a lot of subsidies from American taxpayers and governmental policies that have favored his company. Pope Francis and many other popes have spoken about the rights of workers and the importance of the dignity of work.  Our reading from James today gives us a lot to think about in the reality of our world.  

Catholic Blessing for high school graduates

Today we celebrate this special moment of time in your lives – your high school graduation. Let us pray:

God of our beginnings, We thank you for the gifts of these graduates; for their enthusiasm, for their wonder and curiosity, for their dreams and their passions.

The presence and contributions of these graduates have blessed us in our parish community here in Immaculate Conception and Holy Savior.  We have become a richer and more diverse community because of them.

As they step forward into the world that awaits them at this moment of their high school graduation, we ask that you comfort their fears with the full knowledge of your divine presence.

Strengthen their resolve to walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ as they live as modern-day disciples in a world that needs their spirit.

Guide their feet as they move through life.  Bless our graduations in the future jobs, their future education, and their future endeavors. 

Protect them from any pitfalls and struggles as the walk as children of the light. 

We ask this blessing upon each of these young people as we celebrate their high school graduation with them and their families, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  AMEN.  

4 May 2024 - Saturday of the 5th week of Easter - Acts 16:1-10

We continue to hear about Paul’s missionary journeys in today’s reading from Acts. Paul had been traveling with Barnabas, but now Barnabas has separated from him and has gone on his own way.  Paul meets Timothy in today’s reading. Timothy will become an important companion to Paul and will have a significant effect on the evangelization efforts. When we attended the regional conference in Biloxi in March for the finance and administration departments of the Diocese, our opening talk was about synergy, about how when a team works together, they can bring the energy of each person and combine that energy to build an energy that is far greater than the individual parts.  That only can come about when we work and collaborate together, when we have a shared mission and vision.  If the members of the ministry team have their own agenda and want to do things their way and will not work as a cohesive team, this will not be accomplished.  We know that in practice, this is not easy.  As we hear of the ministry accomplishments of Paul and his companions, I cannot even imagine the synergy that they brought together. As we celebrate the first Saturday today dedicated to Our Blessed Mother, our Lady of Fatima, may we pray for the grace to work together in spreading the Gospel message to the world.  

4 May 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - First Saturday Devotion to Our Lady of Fatima - Saturday of the 5th week of Easter

Penitential Rite: 

Lord Jesus, you the Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you are the Son of God and Son of Mary: Christ, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you are Word of God: Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:  

PRIEST:  God graciously blesses us with his love and mercy. Let us bring forward our needs to God with confidence as we commemorate our first Saturday Devotion this morning:

1. That those who follow Christ may grow in their faith during the celebration of the Easter season. 

2. That God will grant wisdom to our governmental leaders in the decisions they make and in the challenges they face. 

3. For peace in our communities that are torn apart by violence, terrorism, anger, or conflict.

4. That we may all be peacemakers who work for reconciliation, peace, and justice in our relationships and in our families.  

5. That our Mother Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, may be an example to all of us in her patience, compassion, and love.  

6. For Pope Francis and all Church leaders, for wisdom as they lead and guide the people of God. 

7. For the sick and the shut-in.  For our dearly departed family members and loved ones, that perpetual light may shine on them.

8. For those prayers we hold in our hearts.  

PRIEST: Gracious God, you bless your people with peace and justice. As we commemorate our Mother Mary, Our Lady of Fatima, we ask that you accept our prayers and give us your help, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.