6 August 2024 - The transfiguration of the Lord - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - your dominion is everlasting - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you receive honor and glory from your Father - Lord have mercy. 

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

Priest: In the transfiguration, we receive a vision of Christ’s future glory.  As we present our prayers today, let us envision a transfigured world were every person is loved and can reach his potential according to God’s will: 

1. For our Church, that our love of God and love of neighbor may help transform the world.  We pray to the Lord. 

2. For the hungry, especially in those parts of the world where growing food is difficult. May we transform our world so that the harvest will be bountiful and that all will have sufficient food to eat. We pray to the Lord. 

3. That our hearts may be transfigured to welcome and value the stranger and the visitor.  We pray to the Lord. 

4. For our faith community, that we may be a home for those who wish to transform our lives, finding meaning in faith, hope, and love, we pray to the Lord. 

5. That weapons of war may be beaten into plowshares so that violence may be transformed into bountifulness, we pray to the Lord. 

6. In thanksgiving for our first responders, our veterans, the men and women currently serving in the military, and our medical professionals.  May the Lord watch over them and keep them safe.  We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the repose of the souls of our deceased friends, family members, and community members. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit.  For those suffering from mental illness and from addictions.  We pray to the Lord.  

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, help us to listen to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may transform our lives to more closely conform our lives and our hearts to him. Grant this and all our prayers through your transfigured Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

6 August 2024 - homily for the feast of the Transfiguration - Mark 9:2-10

A transfiguration is literally a change in form or appearance. As we celebrate the Transfiguration today, we hear about Jesus’ change of appearance on his journey up the mountaintop with three of his apostles, how his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.  We have the literal definition of that word transfiguration, but, looking at the heart of our celebration today, we might wonder why the transfiguration occurred and what purpose it served. The transfiguration served to strengthen the faith of some of Jesus’ apostles shortly before his passion and crucifixion. Sometimes we can go on a big spiritual experience, like those going to the Eucharistic congress in Indianapolis recently.  And perhaps compared to a mountaintop experience like this, going to mass at our parish every Sunday is commonplace and mundane and not as exciting. However, Jesus and those apostles knew that they were not meant to remain on the mountaintop for eternity, even though the joy and ecstasy of that experience gave them the feeling that they never wanted to come down. Yet, they had to come down from the mountaintop to confront the reality of their lives and for Jesus to continue his journey to the cross and resurrection, to fulfill his destiny. I love going to the pilgrimage of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. The joy I feel in my heart when I go there is like nothing else.  However, it is special because it is not an everyday occurrence. Sometimes it is tough getting through our days.  Sometimes our days seem boring or like drudgery. Those mountaintop experiences can energize us and renew us and help us keep going on our journey. They can provide inspiration for us. Let us learn that lesson from Christ’s transfiguration. 

3 August 2024 - Saturday of the 17th week in Ordinary time - Mark 14:1-12

When the people of Ancient Israel were trying to figure Jesus out, they speculated as to whether he was return of our of the prophets or the second coming of John the Baptist. Herod was intrigued by the message that John the Baptist proclaimed, but fearful of him at the same time. Although he had an inclination to save John the Baptist’s life, trapped by the web of circumstances and his desire to hold onto the power of his reign, Herod had John the Baptist put to death. 

In our world today, a lot of different voices and a lot of different prophets call out to us. Our busy schedules and our busy lives can draw us in different directions.  Sometimes away from the faith. At our retreat this weekend, God’s holy word and the sacraments and devotions of the Church speak to us in a special way. The Holy Spirit is leading us and guiding us to the message that God has for us this weekend. 

This weekend is a special experience for us.  But the real work will come after we leave this weekend, to discern where God is calling us as we return to our daily lives where a lot of other voices are calling out to us. May this ACTS retreat experience be more than a meaningful weekend for us. May it be an experience that transforms our lives. 

3 August 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Saturday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You came to set us free, Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - You endured died on the cross for our salvation, Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - You are seated at the right hand of the Father, Lord have mercy. 

Priest: In the midst of our weakness and our brokenness, we come before God as we trust that our prayers will be heard. 

1. For the prophets and martyrs of our modern world, that they may persevere on the path to Jesus, we pray to the Lord. 

2. For nations and communities who are divided in conflict, war, or violence, that their divisions may be healed and that peace may be achieved, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For those we have been affected by natural disasters such as fires, drought, heatwave, or storms, that they find strength in the midst of their losses and that they find the help they need to recover, we pray to the Lord. 

4. For all who gather at the Eucharistic table of the Lord at Mass today, that they may find hope and encouragement in the Eucharist and in God’s holy word, we pray to the Lord. 

5. For the sick and the shut-in, that they may feel God’s healing presence in their lives, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For all on retreat this weekend, that they feel the Holy Spirit working in their lives, we pray to the Lord. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts, both spoken and unspoken, we pray to the Lord. 

Priest:  God, source of power and might, we will perish without your mercy.  We ask that you hear our heartfelt prayers that we make in the name of your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

2 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, your glory shines in creation. 

Christ Jesus - you are the living bread. 

Lord Jesus - You are the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega.  

Priest: Our Lord is our provider.  He natures us and blesses us.  Let us now raise our voices to him in prayer.  

1. For our Church leaders, that they may lead all their people in proclaiming the Gospel message throughout the world.  

2. For our nation, that we may all work together to solve the problems and challenges that confront us.  

3. For our families and students as they get ready for the new school year.  

4. For the respect of human life in the world, especially the most vulnerable and the forgotten. 

5. For all of us at the ACTS retreat this weekend, that we may open our heart to the working of the Holy Spirit through this experience. 

6. For all who are finishing up their summer vacation, for safe travels, and for a renewal of our spirit.  

7. For those who are sick, for those who are in need of healing in body, mind, and spirit. For those dealing with depression, mental health issues, anxiety, or addictions. 

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

Priest: God of abundant grace, you know our needs before we know them ourselves.  We ask that you look with favor on the prayers we present through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

2 August 2024 - Friday of the 17th week in ordinary time - Matthew 13:54-58

We hear about how Jesus is unable to work miracles in his hometown because of the people’s lack of faith.  They know Jesus well: to them, he is the son of Mary and Joseph; he and his father are humble carpenters.  They have seen Jesus growing up as a child and a youth in their own town. Who does he think he is? What does he have to teach us and preach in our synagogue? 

We can be the same way in our own lives, can’t we?  We can see things in a certain way.  We can cling to our own perspective, to what is common and familiar. We can be closed off to the reality that is right before our eyes.  I remember that when I was a missionary, I would have someone visit me, and their perspectives would bring me great insights and hope.  I had to be willing to listen to what they had to say in order to learn from seeing things from their point of view, to seeing things differently. Often we want to cling to the common and the familiar, not willing to open our hearts to new perspectives.

This retreat weekend is a great opportunity for us. It can open up a lot of doors for us. It can give us a new perspective. All of us at the retreat this weekend need to open up our hearts to the experiences and conversations and prayers and talks and devotions and sacraments and the holy Word of God that we are going to be a part of this retreat. And it might not be until many weeks later when something strikes us, when the Holy Spirit enlightens us to what we have experienced and the message God has for us. I am really glad all of you are here this weekend. 

1 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You are the word of God. 

Christ Jesus - You call us to a life of discipleship. 

Lord Jesus - You proclaim God’s kingdom. 

With humble hearts, we now bring our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For our church leaders, may they help us bear witness to the Gospel in our lives. 

2. For all the ACTS team members who will be serving at the retreat this week.  For all the retreatants who will be attending.  We pray for the Lord to be at work in their lives this week and for the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us. 

3. For all the children and youth who will be returning back to school. For their parents and teachers. 

4. For the Eucharistic revival in our country, that all of us may grow in our love and appreciation of the Eucharist.  

5. For all who have died: that the Lord welcome them into the kingdom of light and peace. 

6. For all missionaries who spread the Gospel message throughout the world: that we may collaborate with them and may all of us be missionary in spirit. 

7. For the prayers we hold in our hearts. 

As we ask you to encourage us on our journey of faith, we present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

1 August 2024 - Alphonsus Ligouri - Thursday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 13:47-53

As I was looking at the calendar of saints these past few days, our liturgical calendar is filled with a lot of great luminaries of our Church. Sunday, July 30, is the feast day of St Peter Chrystologus, a great preacher, the Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, and Doctor of the Church from the 4th century.  Yesterday, was the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola from the 16th century from the Basque Country in Spain and the founder of the Jesuits. Today, we honor St Alphonsus Liguori from the 18th century. Liguori studied law at the young age of 16.  After a successful law career, he became a priest at the age of 27. He started his priesthood working with the poor and marginalized youth in Naples, Italy.  Soon afterwards, he founded the congregation of the Redemptorists, which specializes in preaching and teaching in poor cities and neighborhoods. From his experiences in ministering the poor, he developed a moral theology that had great influence in the Church.  Liguori was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX in 1871.

Our Gospel today speaks about the judgment that will take place with God.  I came across a quote of St Alphonsus Liguori that relevant to this judgment: “God never rejects a humble and repentant heart.”  Yes, when we have done wrong, we need to go to God for help in humility and in faith. We always have the chance to repent on our journey here on earth. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Alphonsus Ligouri today. 

 

31 July 2024 - prayers of the faithful - feast of St Ignatius of Loyola - Wednesday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to works of mercy. 

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

Lord Jesus - you bring us faith and hope. 

Prayers of the faithful: 

As we celebrate the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father:

1. For all the holy men and women who serve the body of Christ in the Church. 

2. That the nations of the world will work for justice and peace. 

3. That all who suffer and struggle through life may see their crosses united with the cross of Christ. 

4. For those who are sick or injured, for their care giver and for their medical professionals, for healing in their lives.  

5. That in our celebration of Mass today, we feel ourselves surrounded by St Ignatius and for the other members of the community of faith. 

6. For all of our students, teachers, and families, for blessings for them at the beginning of the school year. 

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

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

30 July 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 17th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you are our everlasting treasure.


Christ Jesus, you are the Lamb of God. 

Lord Jesus, you call us to be good stewards of creation.  

Prayers of the faithful:
Priest: Let us seek the Lord in all things. We now pray for our needs, the needs of our brothers and sisters, and the needs of the Church: 

1. That we the Church may treat all human beings with dignity and respect in our word and our actions. 

2. That we as a nation may protect the freedom to practice religion. 

3. For an end to terrorism, war, and violence. For healing and reconciliation in our families, our communities, and our nation.  

4. For a united spirit in our parishes, in our Diocese, and in our communities. 

5. For healing for the sick and the afflicted in body, mind and spirit, for those who are suffering from addictions, depression, and mental illness. 

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

Priest: God of holiness, you lovingly renew our minds and our spirits. We seek your mercy as we offer our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

31 July 2024 - Wednesday of the 17th week of Ordinary Time - feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola - Psalm 59

St Ignatius, the saint we celebrate today, had turned his back on God for many years of his life, even though he was raised as a Catholic. Ignatius was born in late 15th century in 1491, the year before Columbus sailed for America. Ignatius had an older brother who sailed with Columbus on that famous voyage in 1492. Ignatius was the youngest of 11 children from a family in the Basque country in northern Spain. His mom died when he was young, so he was raised by members of his extended family. He was trained to be a member of the royal court and to be a solider, but while fighting at the siege of the battle of Pamplona in 1621, he suffered a broken leg that had to be re-broken after it was not set properly. He was carried him more than a hundred miles back from the battlefield to his family’s ancestral home in Loyola. Ignatius was confined to his bed for a long period of time during his recuperation from his injuries, where he learned about saints such as Dominic and Francis of Assisi and where he read stories about Christ and his proclamation of God’s kingdom. This brought about a profound conversion of faith in Ignatius. After spending time as a hermit in a cave and time wandering as a pilgrim, where he was able to reflect and ponder, Ignatius enrolled in the university of Paris at the age of 30 to become a priest, a very advanced age to be in formation for the priesthood. He studied Latin in classes with young boys in order to get ready for his study of theology. Even though Ignatius had turned his back on God for most of his early life, he had opened his life to God through his time of conversion. From the humble beginnings of his conversion, to the way he wrote his spiritual exercises while trying to discern God’s will for him in his life, Ignatius of Loyola went on to found the religious order of the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits -  an order of priests that still has great influence in Catholicism today. 

Our psalm states today: God is my refuge on the day of distress. Ignatius took refuge in God in the reality of his life.  He tried to see God in all things: it the joys and the accomplishments, in the struggles and the strife.  St Ignatius of Loyola, pray for us. 

30 July 2024 - Tuesday of the 17th week of Ordinary Time - St Peter Chrysologus - Psalm 79 - Jeremiah 14:17-22

Our saint of the day is also a Doctor of the Church – St Peter Chrysologus. His name may seem a little odd to us, but the word “Chrysologus” means “golden-tongued” or “golden-worded.”. He was given that name due to the brief and eloquent homilies he used to give.  Chrysologus was the bishop in Ravena, Italy from the year 433 until his death in 450. He was made a Doctor of the Church in 1729. He was known for giving concise advice and concise explanations of Bible passages that resonated with the faithful. In one quote, he asserted that there are three things that we need to practice in our lives of faith that will help our faith remain constant and that will help our virtue and our values to endure. Those three things are prayer, fasting, and mercy. These are also the three holy practices that we are called to in the season of Lent in preparation for Easter each year.

In our psalm today, the psalmist asks God to deliver us for the glory of his name. We, God’s people, are to give thanks to God and to praise him from generation to generation. In the prophet Jeremiah, today, the people look out at the destruction of their nation, bring them to tears, but they recognize their wickedness and sinfulness, the reason for this destruction. If we give glory and praise to God’s name, perhaps we will recognize the consequences that our actions bring. Perhaps it will help us to look at our actions and our lives of faith and the calling God is giving us. 

Pope Francis - Prayer intention for the month of July 2024

For the pastoral care of the sick:

We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick confer to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

Prayers of the faithful - 28 July 2024 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction:  As we hear the Gospel of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish today, we gather for our Eucharistic meal today, as we are invited to receive the bread of eternal life. May the miracle we witness today bring us a deeper understanding and belief in the saving gift the Lord offers to each one of us. 

Penitential Rite: Priest: 

Lord Jesus - You look with compassion upon your people - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you are the great prophet who has arisen in our midst - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you feed your people with the finest wheat - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: Let us now give voice to our needs and the needs of the world as we place our trust in the Lord. 

1. That we in the Church may place our trust in God that what we are able to offer may be enough to fill the needs of many. We pray to the Lord. 

2. That hunger may be eliminated in every nation and in every household. That those who lack adequate drinking water may have their needs filled. We pray for those working to solve the drinking water problem in Jackson.  We pray to the Lord. 

3. For those who assist in food pantries and soup kitchens. In gratitude for their work.  We pray to the Lord. 

4. For recovery and safety from all those who have been affected by natural disasters.  We pray to the Lord. 

5. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: Generous God, may we continue to trust in your love and benevolence and our ability to bring your generosity to those in need. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

28 July 2024 - Bulletin Reflection - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

As we have been celebrating the Eucharistic renewal in our country these last couple of years and as I have been working on my project as a part of the Eucharistic renewal with the University of Notre Dame as forming the inmates as Eucharistic missionaries in the prison environment as a part of our Catholic prison ministry, I have come to appreciate different aspects of the Eucharist. This week, the Gospel tells us of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. Next week, in the Gospel, Jesus will explain to us that he is the bread of life. The Eucharist goes way beyond our reception of the host at Mass. It goes beyond our prayers in Eucharistic adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. May we see the connection to the Eucharist in the meals and fellowship we share together. Those moments are truly Eucharistic encounters. Have a blessed week everyone - Father Lincoln. 

28 July 2024 – 17th Sunday in ordinary time - Cycle B - homily on the Bread of Life Discourse – John 6:1-15

      In our Gospel readings these past two weeks, we’ve heard how Jesus and his disciples are trying to get away for some rest, but the crowds keep following them. Wherever they go, Jesus and his disciples have captured the imagination and attention of the crowd. The people hunger for many things. Jesus realizes that it is more than a physical hunger, that feeding their physical appetite will not only satisfy one level of hunger, but it will be a sign that he will be able to feed their other types of hunger as well. With the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, Jesus and the disciples feed the hungry crowds. The crowds take as much food as they want until they are satisfied, with a lot of food left over.  Through this miracle, the crowds recognize Jesus as God’s true prophet who has come into their midst.

      We come to Jesus for different reasons in our lives. We sometimes come to Jesus in a self-centered way, just thinking of ourselves. Nevertheless, Christ’s Good News has the power to transform us and change us. His Body and Blood of Christ feeds us each time we gather around the Lord’s table, having the power to transform us in order for us to humbly serve others, in order to witness to Christ’s values and his ministry, and in order to be leaven in a world that badly needs the Gospel message.

      The crowd in today’s Gospel was drawn to Jesus because they saw him as a great teacher. The people hungered to hear his proclamation of God’s kingdom. They followed him into the wilderness perhaps because they knew that their souls were lost in the wilderness as well. The crowds hungered for the words Jesus spoke. Yet, they wanted something more. They felt that there was something missing. But, while they were following Jesus, their earthly reality pressed upon them as well. They had a physical hunger for food that needed to be satisfied as well.  They hungered for God, but they hungered for the things of this earth as well.

       There is a tension in our lives between the temporal and the divine, between the things of the earth and the things of God. We as Christians are to reach out in the reality of the here and now of our earthly existence, but our eyes are to be fixed on the eternal life to come. Our liturgy is the source and summit of our lives as Catholics, but living out the Eucharist in our daily lives is essential as well. We reach out in works of charity and mercy. A big effort goes out from our parish to those in need, to reaching out to people in our community and throughout the world. Our daily bread reaches out to feed our spiritual hunger. Our daily bread reaches out to feed our earthly needs and our physical hunger. In our faith, the bread from heaven and the word of God feed us, nourish us, and transform us into true disciples of Christ just as they fed and nourished Christ’s first followers. May we follow in their footsteps.

Prayers of the faithful - 28 July 2024 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - prison ministry

Penitential Rite: 

Priest: 
Lord Jesus - You look with compassion upon your people - Lord have mercy.


Christ Jesus - you are the great prophet who has arisen in our midst - Christ have mercy.


Lord Jesus - you feed your people with the finest wheat - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: Let us now give voice to our needs and the needs of the world as we place our trust in the Lord:

1. That we in the Church may place our trust in God that what we are able to offer may be enough to fill the needs of many. May the Lord help the men of our St Michael community reach out to the other men at CMCF. We pray to the Lord.


2. That hunger may be eliminated in every nation and in every household. That those who lack adequate drinking water may have their needs filled. We pray for those working to solve the drinking water problem in the city of Jackson. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For those who assist in food pantries and soup kitchens. In gratitude for their work in helping others. We pray to the Lord.


4. For recovery and safety from all those who have been affected by natural disasters and by the hot summer weather. We pray to the Lord. 

5. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: Generous God, may we continue to trust in your love and benevolence and our ability to bring your generosity to those in need. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

26 July 2024 - Prayers of the Faithful - Friday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You died and rose again to save us from sin.  

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


Lord Jesus - in you, we find the path to holiness. 

Prayers of the faithful 

Priest: With humble hearts, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father this morning: 

1. That we in the Church may imitate God’s generosity and mercy as we proclaim the Gospel message to the world, let us pray to the Lord: 

2. For our governmental leaders, that they keep in mind the common good in the decisions they make and the laws they pass, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For our farmers and our farm laborers. For all work to provide food for us. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That all who gather around the eucharistic table of the Lord, may we grow in our love for the Eucharist and live out the spirit of the Eucharistic renewal each day. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That all of us may deepen our prayer lives and our relationship with Christ. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That we will work toward bringing peace and healing to our families and our communities. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: Father of mercy, you are quick to forgive. Help us to desire the good and to guide us to seek the truth. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

26 July 2024 - homily for Friday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time - memorial of St Anne and St Joachim - Matthew 13:18-23

So many of us in Mississippi have gardens. I see the great care and pride people here take in tending their gardens and growing wonderful fruits, vegetables, and flowers. We know that if we grow our plants on rocky soil or without the proper amount of water and nutrients, then they won’t develop properly and won’t produce their flowers or their vegetables or fruits. 

God needs to proper ground to sow his Word.  God’s holy word needs to be nourished and cared for once it is planted in someone’s life. Today we celebrate the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary – St Anne and St Joachim. Their names are not in the Bible, but the memory of their names has been passed down through the Church’s Tradition. Tradition states that after years of being childless, Anne and Joachim received a visit from an angel who told them that Anne would conceive a child as a gift from God in answer to their prayers. Anne promised to dedicate this child to God in a special way. No matter what the details of this story are, we can imagine the care and the love in which Anne and Joachim nurtured their daughter Mary in the faith. They provided fertile soil for Mary to become the Mother of our Lord – the Theotokos. We can imagine how her parents’ teachings led Mary to respond to God’s request with faith and trust: "Let it be done to me as you will." We can imagine how Mary used what she learned from her parents to bring up her own son Jesus in the faith. 

We give thanks to the faith that has been passed down to us. We give thanks for the fertile soil that has nurtured our own faith. May we continue to provide fertile soil for God’s Word in our lives.  

25 July 2025 - Homily for the feast of St James - Matthew 20:20-28

As all of you know, I have traveled a lot in recent weeks, including mission appeals in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, a wedding in upstate New York near Albany, and a trip to the University of Notre Dame in Indiana to give my final presentation in the liturgical leadership program. In August, I will travel to serve as the priest at the ACTS retreat in Alexandria, Louisiana, and then will have two more mission appeals in Los Angeles. I approach those trips as types of pilgrimage, since being a pilgrim is a big part of my identity. On five different occasions, I have hiked the pilgrimage trail of St James in northern Spain that ends at the cathedral of St James in the city of Santiago de Compostela, most recently in 2017. Pilgrims have been traveling on foot to this holy city since the 9th century where the remains of St James the Greater are found. The word “Compostela” is derived from the Latin words for “field of stars,” as legend has it that the milky way guides the pilgrims on the pilgrimage route of St James.  

I first hiked the pilgrimage route of St James in Spain in 2003 when I was discerning my vocation to the priesthood. The pilgrimage of St James is a holy experience that is near and dear to my heart.  James, the son of Zebedee and one of Jesus’ original apostles, went to Spain as a missionary after Christ’s death and resurrection and then returned to the holy land where he was martyred according to the Acts of the Apostles, the first of the apostles to die a martyr’s death. Spain later flourished as a very devout Catholic country, building upon the seeds of the faith the James brought. In celebration of St James on his feast day, here is a prayer that is carried in the hearts of pilgrims as they walk to his holy city: 

O God, you brought your servant Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, protecting him in his wanderings. You guided the Hebrew people across the desert.  We ask that you watch over us as we walk in the love of your name to the holy city Santiago de Compostela.

Be for us our companion on the Camino:

Our guide at the crossroads,

Our breath in our weariness,

Our protection in danger,

Our hostel on the Camino,

Our shade in the heat,

Our light in the darkness,

Our consolation in our discouragements,

And our strength in our intentions.

With your guidance, O Lord, we pray that we arrive safely and sound at the end of the pilgrimage road, enriched with grace and virtue as we return safely to our homes filled with joy. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

 

Prayers of the faithful - feast of St James the Greater - Thursday - 25 July 2024

Lord Jesus, you came to this world and preach the Good News of the Gospel. 

Christ Jesus, you destroyed death and restored life to your people. 

Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. You have compassion for your people. 

Priest: As we celebrate the feast day of St James the Apostle, we present our prayers to our Heavenly Father: 

1. For the Church and her leaders, may they always preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ with integrity and hope.  

2. For our governmental leaders, may they work toward justice, healing, and reconciliation.

3. For all missionaries, peace makers, first responders, and the men and women in the military. May they feel our gratitude and prayers for their service.

4. That all of us may proclaim the Gospel of life in our words and our actions, respecting human life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death.

5. For healing for all who are sick in mind, body, and spirit. For patience and understanding for their family members and care givers.

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

7. On the feast day of St James, we pray in a special way for the people of Spain and for all pilgrims. 

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

Priest: O God of love and compassion, you grant rest to the weary and you fill the needs of those who come to you. Hear these our prayers and grant that one day we may rest eternally with you, through Jesus Christ our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - 24 July 2023 - Wednesday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time

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

Christ Jesus - you call all Christians to unity. 

Lord Jesus - you call us to works of mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest -  As disciples of Christ on our journey of faith, we present our prayers and concerns to our loving and merciful Father: 

1. For our Holy Father Pope Francis, for our Bishops and for all Church leaders, that they lead the people in proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel. We pray to the Lord.

2. For our political and governmental leaders, that they will help us guard the dignity of all human life, especially the unborn and the most vulnerable.  We pray to the Lord.

3. For all who are suffering from the hot summer weather. We pray to the Lord.

4. That we the local Church may be a place of welcome and spiritual  renewal. We pray to the Lord.

5. For all who keep us safe in society: for first responders, for the men and women in the military, and for our medical professionals. In gratitude for the sacrifices they make. We pray to the Lord.

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

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

Priest - As we ask you to send us the presence of the Holy Spirit to help heal our world, we present our prayers through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

24 July 2024 - homily for Wednesday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time - St Sharbel - Psalm 71

We celebrate the feast day of a Lebanese priest today named St Sharbel Makhluf.  He was born in a small village in Lebanon in 1828 to a very humble family. His father was a mule driver who died when Sharbel was 3 years old, so Sharbel was raised by an uncle. He entered the Monastery of St Maron-Annaya in Lebanon and was ordained a priest.  For the last 23 years of his life, he lived as a hermit in the desert where he practiced a life of strict fasting and devoted himself to the Blessed Sacrament.  People sought him out for his prayers and guidance due to his reputation for holiness. The life of a hermit is austere and difficult’ it might be difficult for the average person to see God’s love and mercy in such austerity and discipline.  Yet, God calls us all in different ways, and when we follow that call and choose that life that is meant for us, it is liberating and life-giving.  Finding where God’s love and mercy exist in our lives is one of the main challenges we have as followers of Christ. 

Our psalm states today: “I will sing of your salvation….Be my rock of refuge, a stronghold to give me safety, for you are my rock and my fortress.” We can see St Sharbel living out the truth of that psalm passage in the reality of his life. 

23 July 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 16th week of Ordinary Time

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

Christ Jesus - you are our savior and our redeemer. 

Lord Jesus - you proclaim the kingdom of God. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: The Lord hears the cry of the poor.  Let us turn him with our needs, the needs of the Church, and the needs of the world: 

1. That our Church leaders, including Bishop Joseph Kopacz and Pope Francis, bear witness to our love of neighbor.  We pray to the Lord. 

2. That our governmental leaders may work toward peace and toward an end to war, terrorism and violence.  We pray to the Lord. 

3. That individuals and communities may treat the earth with dignity and respect, prudently using its resources. We pray to the Lord.

4. That all people may have access to affordable housing, health care, and education.  We pray to the Lord.  

5. That all of us may grow in our love and our understanding of the Eucharist, living out the spirit of the Eucharist each day. We pray to the Lord. 

6. That the members of our Church community may welcome the stranger, shelter the homeless, and foster a community of forgiveness and love.  We pray to the Lord.

7. That the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts be heard by our loving Father.  We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Saving God, your mercy heals our wounds.  Hear and answer the prayers we offer through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

23 July 2024 - St Bridget of Sweden - homily for Tuesday of the 16th week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 71

The saint we celebrate today, Bridget of Sweden, was named one of the Patron Saints of Europe in 1999 by Pope John Paul II, along with Edith Stein (a Carmelite nun who died in a concentration camp in World War II), St Benedict of Nursia, St Cyril and St Methodius, and St Catherine of Siena – a very esteemed and select group of saints who span many years of history and many different countries of Europe.  I thought of Bridget’s journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain that she made with her husband way back in the early 14th century as we celebrate the feast of St James in two days. Bridget didn’t get on a jet plane in her native country of Sweden to fly to Pamplona to start her journey – it was a arduous journey from Sweden all the way to Spain.  After her husband’s death, she founded a group of nuns and monks that still has a presence today in our world.  In fact, the only group of Bridgittine monks that exists today is in Oregon here in the United States. 

I love this verse from the 71st psalm which we hear today: “For you are my hope, O Lord; my trust, O God, from my youth. On you I depend from birth; from my mother’s womb you are my strength.” I think of St Bridget and the saints whose lives of faith as adults are the fruit of their lives as children and youth. May we unite our prayers today with the prayers of St Bridget of Sweden and with the entire community of saints. 

Prayers of the Faithful - 21 July 2024 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time - prison ministry

Penitential Rite: 

Priest:
Lord Jesus - you preached the Good News of the Gospel in the reality of the world - Lord have mercy.


Christ Jesus - you destroyed death and restored life - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you are our Good Shepherd - Lord have mercy. 

Priest: In confidence, let us call out to Jesus for our needs and the needs of all people near and far: 

1. That Pope Francis and all our bishops and pastors may shepherd their flock with the same love and care Jesus showed to the crowds. We pray to the Lord.


2. May our legislators and policy makers work to advance the common good in order to ensure the dignity of all people. We pray to the Lord. 

3. Like Jesus, may we break down the barriers of conflict and division. We pray to the Lord.


4. For an end to terrorism, war, and violence in the world. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That all who are burdened be renewed in the Spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit.We pray for the men here at CMCF who are struggling with addictions, mental heath issues, or depression. We pray to the Lord. 

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


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

Priest: Heavenly Father, you comfort us when we are hurt. You console us when we grieve. And you give us hope when we despair. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Prayers of the Faithful - 21 July 2024 - 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Introduction: Jesus invites his disciples to a place of rest after their return from their missionary travels. But then Jesus sees the crowds reaching out to him and he begins to teach them. May it comfort us to know that Jesus always has time for us.

Penitential Rite: Priest:

Lord Jesus - you preached the Good News of the Gospel to the reality of the world - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you destroyed death and restored life - Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus - you are our Good Shepherd - Lord have mercy.

Priest: In confidence, let us call out to Jesus for our needs and the needs of all people near and far:

1. That Pope Francis and all our bishops and pastors may shepherd their flock with the same love and care Jesus showed to the crowds. We pray to the Lord.

2. May our legislators and policy makers may work to advance the common good in order to ensure the dignity of all people. We pray to the Lord.

3. Like Jesus, may we break down the barriers of conflict and division. We pray to the Lord.

4. For an end to terrorism, war, and violence in the world. We pray to the Lord.

5. That all who are burdened be renewed in the Spirit. We pray to the Lord. 6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. For 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: Heavenly Father, you comfort us when we are hurt. You console us when we grieve. And you give us hope when we despair. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Bulletin Reflection - 21 July 2024 - 16th week in Ordinary Time - Holy Savior Catholic Church - Clinton Mississippi

It is hard to believe that it is now nearing the end of July. Many of our students are already getting ready to go back to the school. Summer can be a busy time for many of us, as busy as the rest of the year. In the midst of the disciples’ busy schedule in the Gospel today, Jesus tries to bring them to a place of rest. However, the crowds keep pressing on Jesus, wanting more attention from him and wanting to learn from him. In life, sometimes the hardest thing is to find balance, to find time for our prayer life and for rest in the midst of our work and our activities. May the Lord help us find balance in our lives and may we work toward that balance. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln.

21 July 2024 - homily for 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Cycle B - Mark 6:30-34

Last Sunday, our Gospel reading was from the 6th chapter of Mark, about how Jesus sent his disciples to bring his Good News to the world, giving them authority to anoint the sick with oil and to cast out demons. We can imagine that this was a very intense, tiring experience for the disciples. In today’s Gospel, the disciples have returned from their journey, giving Jesus a report about what happened. We can imagine how they felt. After any of us has gone on an adventure or a long trip, we have a lot of stories to share with our family and friends. Jesus must have sensed that the disciples were worn out and that they needed to get away to a faraway place in order to rest and renew, so he takes them to a deserted place. But peace and quiet are elusive.The crowds rush ahead of them to meet them there. Jesus and his disciples attract a great deal of attention, yet they need a break in order to continue with their work.

I think all of us have felt burned out at one time or another, so it is important for us to have times of renewal and retreat in our lives. We priests are required to spend at least a week each year on retreat or with spiritual exercise in order to renew our bodies and our spirits. For me, going hiking and going on pilgrimage are what energize my soul. Late in August, I am hoping to spend some time of retreat visiting some of the California missions when I am back in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for two mission appeals. 

What strikes me about both today’s and last week’s Gospels is how Jesus and his disciples work as a team. Jesus is their leader, that is for sure, but they work together in ministry and in proclaiming God’s kingdom. Many people in our society today think that they don’t need a church or organized religion in their lives, that a one-on-one relationship with God is enough. But that is not the message we receive from Holy Scripture in general, and it is not the message that we have received from the Gospels these past two weeks. I have mentioned that I want to use the theme of the Eucharistic renewal in our country here in our parishes of Holy Savior and Immaculate Conception for this school year. Our US Bishops and our Diocese are emphasizing that theme as well. There are a lot of resources out there regarding that theme and there is a lot upon which can reflect. United together as individuals and as a parish, it is important that we not only reflect upon this theme, but that we put it into action. 

In a lot of ways, we Christians in modern America are at a crossroads in the way we live out our faith. I remember as a child how Christianity was given a lot of respect in our country, how priests, nuns, and ministers were some of the most revered people in society. Today, organized religion is under attack in so many ways. Some of us wonder if we are going to enjoy the religious liberty to even practice our faith according to the laws and morality of the Church if these same attitudes continue to prevail in our society. 

Jesus and his disciples lived out their faith with great zeal and boldness. We too are to be on fire for the faith. And we should do so in creative ways. Having grown up Protestant, I can say that in comparison to many of our Protestant brothers and sisters, we Catholic can be timid and even ashamed of sharing our faith with others. I look to the saints as people who lived out their faith in creative ways. When I was up at University of Notre Dame recently, one of my professors, Dr Tim O’Malley, state that if the Eucharistic renewal and our evangelization efforts are going to be successful, they will need to start organically in the parishes and on the local level. He mentioned how St Francis of Assisi was not assigned by his Diocese or by the Vatican to minister to the lepers in his town or to start a new religious order. St Francis felt God’s call to do this. He felt the need to do this in the reality of his local community. On Thursday of this week, July 25, we celebrate the feast of St James. James sowed the seeds of the Christian faith in Spain as a missionary. And even though he did not see a lot of success in his own day, those seeds of faith later bore so much fruit is Spain, in the rich Catholic faith and the many saints who were born there. And the pilgrimage to St James on the Camino in Spain, which began 1,200 year ago, still attracts countless pilgrims each year and is growing in popularity. Like the saints I just mentioned, we also can be bold in living out our faith and proclaiming the kingdom of God in different ways.  We all need to discern the way God is calling us to do so.  

19 July 2024 - Friday of the 15th week in ordinary time - Martyrs of Compiègne - Friday of the 15th week of Ordinary Time - ISAIAH 38:10 - 12 and 16

Our psalm today is not actually from the psalms, but from the prophet Isaiah. The refrain calls out: “You saved my life O Lord; I shall not die.”  We view life differently as disciples of Christ, don’t we?  Our eternal life is more important than the length of our life here on earth.

This is relevant to the group of saints whose feast day is celebrated on July 17: 16 Carmelite nuns who were put to death by the French government.  Most people in our modern world don’t even know about them.  The government that took control during the French revolution ordered the Carmelite monastery in the town of Compiegne, France closed in 1790. Yet, in 1794, 16 nuns were arrested on charges of living in a religious community, still refusing to leave the monastery. This was against the law in post-revolutionary France. The nuns were sentenced to death in Paris, and were killed on the guillotine while they sang the Salve Regina.  They refused to bow to a government that condemned their Christian way of life.  

Today, our popular media often encourages people to abandon organized religion. Our government often tries to define what religion is and what it isn’t. We have seen religious statues and churches defaced and destroyed in protests. Perhaps this group of nuns speak to us in a special way this year.  In fact, near the beginning of the pandemic lockdown, I watched an opera production form the Metropolitan Opera of New York - Dialogues of the Carmelites by French composer Francois Poulenc, based on the story of these Carmelites nuns. Composed in 1954, it is considered one of the most popular of modern operas written in the 20th century. 

In hearing the story of the Carmelite nuns who were martyred in France and of Isaiah stating that the Lord saved his life, I think of these French Carmelite nuns who were willing to die for the values of their faith. These brave courageous ladies speak to us in the reality of our day. 

17 July 2024 - homily for Wednesday of the 15th week of Ordinary Time - Matthew 11:25-27

The Gospel we hear today is part of the Gospel that is proclaimed when we have the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. We are going to hear the final part of that reading from the anointing of the sick at daily Mass tomorrow.  We heard it proclaimed at our Sunday Mass a couple of weeks ago. There is a tension in the Gospel in what the wise and the learned have learned versus what is contained in the hearts of the children. This is a real tension in our lives of faith as well: responding out of our minds, our knowledge and our intellect versus responding out of our compassion, joy, and enthusiasm that we have in our hearts. There is a time for both, and we must temper the balance between these two sides of our faith. As you all know, I love learning new thing and love reading. Reading and learning are important on our journey of faith. Our experiences, our action of love and charity, and our prayers are important today. A lot of the ancient philosophers spoke about how balance is so important in our lives.  That is important in our lives of faith as well. 

18 July 2024 - Homily for Thursday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time - St Camillus - Matthew 11:28-30

The saint we celebrate today – St Camillus – is well-known for the order of the Ministers of the Sick that he founded, which is now known as the Order of St. Camillus.  The ministry of this religious community of men, both brothers and priests, is to care for the sick and the dying, the marginalized and the poor. St Camillus is also the patron saint of nurses.  As a child, as a teenager, and a youth, St Camillus seemed destined for trouble. He got into fights all the time, he developed a bad gambling habit, and he skipped school a lot. However, God gave him opportunities to serve. While serving in the military as a soldier, Camillus developed a leg infection that caused him much pain and suffering. Indebted and nowhere to go, he worked at a hospital in Rome where he served the sick. He was ordained a priest, and decided to found a religious order that would serve those in Rome who suffered from the plague and other epidemics. He died in 1614 and was canonized by Pope Benedict XIV in 1746. Camillus’ motto for his order was this: “We want to assist the sick with the same love that a mother has for her only sick child.”

In the midst of his weaknesses and brokenness, Camillus found a way to bring rest to so many of the sick he encountered. In the Gospel today, Jesus states, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” This echoes the healing power of Christ that St Camillus tried to bring to the sick. We also can bring healing to our little corner of the world as well. 

16 July 2024 - Our Lady of Mount Carmel - Tuesday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus spoke to the people of his day, particularly to the people of the Israelite villages where he spent a lot of time proclaiming God’s kingdom and performing miracles. However, many in those villages did not heed this message. Jesus provides those villages a warning. This message, nevertheless, is relevant for us today.  How often do we ignore our faith or make excuses for not participating in our parish as much as we should?  Are the teachings of Christ reflected in the words and actions of non-Christians more than they are reflected in us?

Today’s feast day celebrates a special devotion and apparition of Mary as we commemorate the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  We think of our beloved Carmelite sisters here in Jackson, for which Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a special feast day. In the Old Testament, Mount Carmel was a place of refuge. In the Christian era, Hermits lived on Mount Carmel in northern Israel beginning in the 12th century, dedicating a chapel there to Mary. They soon celebrated a special mass and office of readings dedicated to Mary. Since the 15th century, popular devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has centered on the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, also known as the Brown Scapular. Traditionally, Mary is said to have given the Scapular to an English Carmelite monk named Saint Simon Stock in the 12th century.

The feast day was officially recognized by the Church in 1726 under the title of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  This group of hermits at Mount Carmel evolved into the religious order of the Carmelites, the religious group that has given our Church the great saints & mystics Teresa of Avila, Therese of Lisieux, and John of the Cross, all three doctors of the Church. 

In the different ways Mary appears to the faithful, she always points us to her son in a very special way.  May the intercessions of Our Lady of Mount Carmel lead us to her son, Jesus Christ. May we find meaning and significance in our burdens as we unite them to the sufferings of Jesus.  

19 July 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 15th week in Ordinary time

Lord Jesus - You call us to be missionary in spirit. 

Christ Jesus - You bring us hope. 

Lord Jesus - You bring us your Good News. 

PRIEST: With hope and faith, let us bring our prayers to our heavenly Father this morning: 

1. For Pope Francis, Bishop Kopacz, and all our Bishops and church leaders, that God will help them lead the Church to greater service, love and unity. 

2. For families who are traveling, the Lord keep them safe.  And may the Lord continue to bless the children and youth in their summer activities. 

3. For all who are called to bear prophetic witness to the faithful, that their witness to the truth may touch hearts and be an opportunity for deeper conversion for all God’s people. 

4. That the Holy Spirit may guide our governmental leaders in addressing issues of violence, injustice, and poverty. 

5. For healing of families and communities. For those who are struggling with mental health issues, depression, or addiction. That God bring healing into their lives and restore them to wholeness. 

6. For our families members, loved ones, and community members who have died, for their entry into eternal life. 

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

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

18 July 2024 - Thursday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, you are our lasting treasure. 

Christ Jesus, you call us to share our resources with the poor. 

Lord Jesus, you lead us to eternal gladness. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: Let us seek what matters to God with generous hearts.  We now pray for our needs, the needs of our brothers and sisters, and the needs of the Church:

1. For the Church, that we may be a model of generosity, freely giving of our abundance to those in need, we pray to the Lord. 

2. For the leaders of the nations, that we may be inspired to share their nation’s resources with those who suffer, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For an end to terrorism, war, and violence. For healing and reconciliation in our families, our communities, and our nation, we pray to the Lord. 

4. That all of us may seek wisdom, guidance, and understanding in God’s holy word, we pray to the Lord.  

5. For healing for the sick and the afflicted in body, mind and spirit, for those who are suffering from addictions and mental illness, we pray to the Lord. 

6. For our students, families, and teachers.  May the Lord bless their studies and all their school activities in the upcoming school year, we pray to the Lord.  

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

Priest: God of holiness, you lovingly renew our minds and our spirits.  We offer our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

Prayers of the faithful - 17 July 2024 - Wednesday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You died and rose again to save us from sin 

Christ Jesus - you teach us how to pray

Lord Jesus - in you, we find the path to holiness

Prayers of the faithful - 

Priest: Jesus assures us that if we ask, we will receive. As children of God, we now bring our needs before our Father in heaven:

1. That we in the Church may imitate God’s generosity as we assist those in need, materially and spiritually, we pray to the Lord: 

2. For our governmental leaders, that they may work toward the day when no one will be without daily bread, we pray to the Lord. 

3. For those who have been affected by natural disaster, by drought, and through the heatwave in our country, that their suffering may be relieved, we pray to the Lord. 

4. That all who gather around the eucharistic table of the Lord may remember those not present, especially the sick and the homebound, we pray to the Lord.  

5. That our Church may deepen its persistence in prayer and its witness of the Gospel message, we pray to the Lord. 

6. That the nations of the world may seek peace, defend life, and practice mercy, we pray to the Lord.  

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

Priest: Father of mercy, help us to desire the good and to guide us to seek the truth. We ask this through our Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

 

16 July 2024 - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you bring us salvation. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim justice. 

Lord Jesus - you call your Church to be prophetic in the modern world. 

Priest: The Lord’s mercy and love never ends. We now present our prayers to God with confidence and hope: 

1. For our Church leaders, that they may sincerely and fully live the Gospel message that they preach. 

2. That we may all grow in our understanding of God’s mercy, recognizing the welcome extended to those who are repentant and contrite. 

3. For those on the margins of society, for men and women who are exploited, that justice and hope may prevail in our land. 

4. For those who endure sickness in body, mind or spirit, that the support of the Christian community and their family and friends remind them of God’s healing care. 

5. For all the faithful departed, that they may be raised to life through Jesus’ resurrection. We pray for the souls in purgatory. 

6. For our children and youth, that God may watch over them in their summer activities and travels. 

7. For our Carmelite sisters here in the Diocese of Jackson and for our secular Carmelite group, for their novena this week for our Lady of Mount Carmel. We give thanks for all their benefactors and for the parishes in the Jackson area who help them, including our Knights and many parishioners from Holy Savior. 

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

Priest: God of endless goodness, your love and compassion have no end.  We ask that you hear the prayers that your people make in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

14 July 2024 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Prayers of the faithful - prison ministry

Penitential rite - Priest -
Lord Jesus - you bring us words of truth - Lord have mercy.
Christ Jesus - you forgive our transgressions - Christ have mercy.
Lord Jesus - you bring healing to our weary world - Lord have mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful:
Priest: Se receive many spiritual blessings from Christ. Let us now call upon the Lord to make known our prayers today: 

1. That we in the Church may follow in the disciples’ footsteps as we make our own journeys in life:  as we seek repentance, as we bring healing to the sick, and as we offer forgiveness. We pray to the Lord.


2. May we all work for justice and peace in our world. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For all missionaries, for their safety and well-being as the proclaim the Gospel message throughout the world. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That all victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse may know safety and security and receive the healing they need. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That through the celebration of the Eucharistic revival, we may grow in the love of Christ present in the Eucharist. We pray to the Lord.


6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit for all them men and women here at CMCF and for all our loved ones. For those with mental health issues, depression, and addictions. We pray to the Lord.


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


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

Priest: Heavenly Father, let us see your kindness and provide us with all we need. We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Bulletin Reflection - 14 July 2024 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Father McGing is in Ireland now.  And this week marked the end of several weeks of travels for me, doing two mission appeals, traveling to New York State for a wedding, and making my presentation at Notre Dame for my project as a part of the Eucharistic renewal.  Back in June, I traveled to a large parish located in downtown Los Angeles for a mission appeal, St Vincent DePaul. I was so exhausted at the end of the day, celebrating five Masses with them and hearing confessions in between the Masses.  Of those five Masses, four of them were in Spanish. It is interesting how in our own corner of the world, we each have our own unique reality.  We are called to be missionaries of Christ Good News, wherever we are in the world. We don’t have to go out on a missionary journey like Christ’s disciples in today’s Gospel. We can bring his message to those around us in different ways. Have a blessed week everyone. Father Lincoln. 

14 July 2024 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Prayers of the faithful

Introduction: As we gather for Mass today, we are reminded that we are Christ’s disciples. In today’s Gospel, Christ’s disciples are sent on a missionary journey for the first time, calling the people to repentance and curing the sick. As Jesus was with them in spirit, he is with all of us in spirit on our own journey of faith. May we continue to preach the Gospel message as we continue on our own journey of faith. 

Penitential rite - Priest - 

Lord Jesus - you bring us words of truth - Lord have mercy. 

Christ Jesus - you forgive our transgressions - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you bring comfort and healing to our weary world - Lord have mercy. 

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: As we receive many spiritual blessings from Christ, we call upon the Lord to make known our prayers today: 

1. That we in the Church may follow in the disciples’ footsteps as we make our own journeys in the world: seeking repentance, bringing healing to the sick, and offering forgiveness. We pray to the Lord. 

2. May we all work for justice and peace in our world. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For all missionaries, for the safety and well-being as the proclaim the Gospel message throughout the world. We pray to the Lord. 

4. That all victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse may know safety and security and receive the healing they need. We pray to the Lord. 

5. That through the celebration of the Eucharistic revival, we may grow in the love of Christ present in the Eucharist. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For healing for the sick in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord. 

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

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, let us see your kindness and provide us with all we need.  We present our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN. 

14 July 2024 - homily for the 15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Cycle B - Amos 6:7-13 - Mark 6:7-13

   For the last several weeks in our Sunday Masses, we have been hearing Jesus teach us about faith.  We heard about how, if we can start out of with an amount of faith as small as a mustard seed, that faith can grow and flourish like that small seed that is able to grow into a huge plant. We heard about the disciples being encouraged on their journey of faith when they were in the midst of a terrible storm, when Jesus demonstrated his power and calmed the storm. We also heard about the faith of the woman suffering from hemorrhages, who believed that she would be cured of her affliction if only she could touch Jesus’ cloak.  

     Our faith is not meant to be guarded and kept to ourselves, which is why after hearing these Gospel stories about faith, we hear Jesus sending out the disciples to be missionaries and to evangelize the world.  While thinking about the Gospel today, a few things came to my mind about our faith and about our life of discipleship.  

      First, we might ask: why would Jesus tell his disciples to bring so few things with them on their journey? For sure, different things can weigh us down on our journey. That is most evident when we going backpacking and have to carry everything with in our backpack. Even small things matter when we carry them everywhere we go. Not just physical things, but also the emotional burdens and worries we carry with us. Jesus wants his disciples to realize that the message of the Gospel was the most important thing. He does not want other things to distract us or take us away from our focus of evangelizing the world.  

     Another thing that came to mind: the difference in being a disciple and in being an apostle. Each of us as Christians are called to be disciples.  The word "disciple" comes from the Latin verb “discere” - which means to learn. A disciple hears Christ’s message, learns from him, accepts his teachings, and lives out those teachings each day. A disciple follows in the footsteps of Jesus.  

    An apostle is not only a follower of Jesus, but he is an evangelizer of Jesus' message as well. Yes, ALL of us are called to be evangelizers of Christ’s Good News. The word "apostle" has Greek origins - "apostolos" - meaning “one who is sent” by his superiors, a messenger or ambassador.  Through baptism, each one of us had a mission to share our faith.    

     The other important aspect of an apostle is sharing our experience of knowing Jesus with others.  We share more than words and ideas; we also share our direct experiences of God. As evangelizers, we’re called to invite others to share in the experience of Jesus, both Christians and non-Christians alike. And think about this: we are all here today because someone shared their faith with us. We are expected to do the same. 

      Jesus tells us that as evangelizers, we are not always going to be welcome. But, we should just move on to the next household and to shake the dust off our feet if we are not welcome. In our first reading today, the prophet Amos is told to leave Bethel, that the message he has brought is not welcome there. Amos responds by saying that it was not his idea to become a prophet, that he was just a simple shepherd and caretaker of trees. However, while working as a shepherd, God called him to be a prophet. We may sympathize with Amos. We may say: I am a nurse, or a teacher, or an accountant, or an engineer. God is calling me to be an evangelizer?  Yes, indeed, as a baptized disciples of Christ, we are ALL to be evangelizers. We are called to invite others to come to know Jesus, to share our faith with them. We will not always get a warm reception, but some will welcome the Good News we have to share with them. Christ works in us and through us, but we have to allow him to do so.  

     Being sent out by Jesus is not easy.  Let us think of ways we can do this each day.  In the workplace. At school. In the neighborhood. In our own homes. Yes, in everyday life.  

16 July 2024 - Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - you bring us salvation. 

Christ Jesus - you proclaim justice. 

Lord Jesus - you call your Church to be prophetic in the modern world. 

Priest: The Lord’s mercy and love never ends. We now present our prayers to God with confidence and hope: 

1. For our Church leaders, that they may sincerely and fully live the Gospel message that they preach. 

2. That we may all grow in our understanding of God’s mercy, recognizing the welcome extended to those who are repentant and contrite. 

3. For those on the margins of society, for men and women who are exploited, that justice and hope may prevail in our land. 

4. For those who endure sickness in body, mind or spirit, that the support of the Christian community and their family and friends remind them of God’s healing care. 

5. For all the faithful departed, that they may be raised to life through Jesus’ resurrection.  We also pray for the souls in purgatory in the process of purification. 

6. For our children and youth, that God may watch over them in their summer activities and travels. 

7. For our Carmelite sisters here in the Diocese of Jackson and for our secular Carmelite group, for their novena this week for our Lady of Mount Carmel. We give thanks for all their benefactors and for the parishes in the Jackson area who help them. 

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

Priest: God of endless goodness, your love and compassion have no end.  We ask that you hear the prayers that your people make in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

Healing Mass - Friday July 12 at Holy Savior parish in Clinton, MS.

 

I am going to back from all my travels on Thursday afternoon, July 11.  We will have a healing mass offering the anointing of the sick on Friday, July 12 at Holy Savior parish in Clinton at 8:30 am.  We invite anyone who would like to receive this sacrament, as we all need healing in different ways. We are also going to have breakfast in McGing hall afterwards. Please bring a breakfast dish to share.  Father Lincoln. 

12 July 2024 - Friday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time - prayers of the faithful

Lord Jesus - You are the son of the living God.

Christ Jesus - You are our savior and our redeemer. 

Lord Jesus - You nourish us with your body and blood in the Eucharist. 

Priest: With faith and hope, we bring our prayers to our heavenly Father this evening. 

1. That we in the Church may hear God’s call to discipleship and seek first the kingdom of God in our lives. 

2. May we in our parish and in the entire Diocese of Jackson strive to bring back the lost sheep and evangelize in our community.

3. That God’s word may touch the hearts of all Christ’s disciples and guide them into a deeper knowledge of God. 

4. For all who feel impelled to violence, that the Spirit of God will calm their anger and help them recognize each person as a child of God. 

5. For all who are recovering from natural disasters, that God will protect them from further harm, guide them to the resources that they need, and open the hearts of many to assist them. 

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

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

PRIEST: We present these prayers with humble hearts through your Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever.  AMEN.  

12 July 2024 - Zelie and Louis Martin - Friday of the 14th week in Ordinary Time - Hosea 14:2-10

Zelie and Louis Martin were first made known to the Catholic world as the parents of St Therese of Lisieux. However, they were canonized as saints in the own rite in 2015 by Pope Francis. Another daughter, Leonie, is also being proposed for canonization as well. Louis Martin was born into a military family in Bordeaux region of France. As a young man, he tried to join a Catholic religious community, but was not admitted because he could not speak Latin and thus could not study theology. He trained to become a watchmaker and moved to the Normandy region of France where he met Zélie Guérin, a lace maker. Zélie also had tried to enter the convent as a nun, but was turned down. They married in 1858. They raised a family in a very loving Catholic home. Zélie died of breast cancer in 1877. After his wife’s death, he moved his family to the town of Lisieux to be closer to extended family members so that they could help him raise his five daughters. Zélie and Louis Martin nurtured their own holiness and faith and the faith and holiness of their daughters, all of whom became nuns.

In our first reading today from the prophet Isaiah, the Lord tells his people that he will heal their defection and love them freely. The Lord will be like the dew for Israel, help Israel to bloom like a lily.  What a comforting image from this wise prophet. However, we hear some not so comforting images from the Gospel of Matthew, of how Christ’s followers will be sent out like sheep amongst the wolves. The Evangelist explains that the Lord will help his followers endure their persecution, putting words in their mouths that they will use in their defense, helping them get through this difficulty. 

As we celebrate Zelie and Louis Martin today on their feast day, let us find the inspiration in them to live out our faith in the reality of our lives.