A Catholic Priest in Mississippi : August 2024

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Homily - Mission Appeal - Spanish - 1 Spanish 2024 - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary time - Letter of James 1:17-18 and 21b-22 and 27 - Pope Pius X Catholic Church in Santa Fe Springs - Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Homilia - en español - XXII domingo del tiempo ordinario - carta de Santiago 1:17-18 and 21b-22 and 27

Me llamo Padre Lincoln Dall. Soy sacerdote diocesano de la Diócesis de Jackson, Mississippi. Cuado pensamos en el territorio misionero, tal vez pensamos en los misioneros trabajando en un país extranjero. Pero, hay territorio misionero en los Estados Unidos también. Jackson es una Diócesis misionera. Tenemos el porcentaje de los católicos más pequeño en los Estados Unidos - solo 3% de la población. Muy diferente de la realidad aquí en California donde hay muchos católicos.

Hoy tenemos una lectura de la carta de Santiago. Santiago nos llama a acoger con humildad la palabra de Dios que ha sido plantada en nosotros, para que la palabra de Dios pueda salvar nuestras almas. No debemos limitarnos a escuchar su palabra, sino creer en ella y hacer lo que dice. Debemos tener una fe en nuestro camino que venga a través de la gracia de Dios que trabaja en nosotros, una fe que siempre nos lleve a la acción. Tratamos de implementar una fe activa como ésta en la diócesis de Jackson: en nuestras escuelas en diferentes partes de nuestra diócesis, en pequeñas parroquias en áreas rurales y en ministerios interculturales, incluyendo parroquias históricamente afro-americanas y en nuestra creciente población hispana.

Yo quiero hablar sobre un ministerio particular que tenemos en la Diócesis - el ministerio para los prisioneros en la cárcel. Las cárceles en Mississippi son lugares terribles - de drogas, de violencia, de pandillas, y sin mucha esperanza. En el verano en Mississippi, hace mucho calor. Pero, por la mayoría de los prisioneros, no está climatizada - no tiene aire acondicionado. Por muchos años, estaba muy difícil para visitar a los prisioneros y para celebrar la misa con ellos. Pero, ahora, tenemos la misa con ellos cada semana. A veces, yo tengo cuatro o cinco visitas a las cárceles en una semana. Tenemos un tabernáculo en la cárcel, donde Cristo está con ellos cada momento del día. Tenemos un programa de formación donde los prisioneros evangelizan los otros prisioneros como misioneros de la Eucaristía. También, hay un proyecto de huertos, donde los prisioneros tienen huertos y donde ellos aprenden y pueden tener los huertos cuando ellos regresan a sus familias. Ellos siembren cosas como tomates, sandías, y maíz. Yo tengo mucha pasión por este ministerio en la cárcel. Tengo mucha esperanza en las transformaciones que yo miro y en la evangelización que tenemos allí.

Yo estoy aquí con ustedes este fin de semana como parte del trabajo misionero de la Iglesia universal. El Papa Francisco dice que no podemos perder la identidad misionera de la Iglesia. Necesitamos ser Iglesia que siempre invita. Cada uno de nosotros como discípulos de Cristo debe tener esta identidad misionera. Debemos participar en la misión universal de la Iglesia. Lamentablemente, hay muchas divisiones y conflictos en el mundo moderno. Entonces, es importante para reconocer nuestro hermano en cada persona, para invitar a nuestro hermano a la vida de fe que tenemos en nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Con esta identidad misionera, podemos abrir muchas posibilidades para nosotros y para nuestro prójimo.

Me alegro mucho para celebrar la misa con ustedes en su parroquia este fe de semana. Su parroquia va a tener una colecta para ayudar la Diócesis de Jackson y en nuestros ministerio, nuestra parroquias, y nuestras escuelas. Gracias por su ayuda. Yo tendré su parroquia en mis oraciones. Yo pido sus oraciones por la Diócesis de Jackson también.

1 September 2024 - Mission appeal at Pope Pius X Catholic Church in Santa Fe Springs in the archdiocese of Los Angeles - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - James 1:17-18 and 21b-22 and 27

It is very wonderful being with all of you here today to celebrate Mass around the table of the Lord. My name is Father Lincoln Dall. I come to you as a brother in Christ from the Diocese of Jackson in Mississippi, in the deep South. When you receive a visit from a missionary at your parish, you are probably expecting a missionary serving in a faraway land overseas. However, I am from a missionary territory in our own country. Our Diocese has the lowest percentage of Catholics of any Diocese in the US, about 3%. Most of our 90 parishes are small and located in rural areas, far different from the reality here in Los Angeles. We also do not have any large cities in Mississippi, so our parishes are spread out throughout sparsely populated rural areas.

Today, we have a wonderful reading from the letter of James in our second reading. James calls us to humbly welcome God’s word that has been planted in us, for God’s word to be able to save our souls. We are not just to hear his word, but to believe in his word and to do what it says. We are to have a faith in our lives that comes through God’s grace working within us, a faith that always leads us to action. We try to implement an active faith such as this in the diocese of Jackson: in our schools in different parts of our Diocese, in small parishes in rural areas, and in intercultural ministries, including historical African American parishes and in our growing Hispanic population.

You probably do not detect a strong Southern accent in my voice. That is because I am not originally from Mississippi. I am actually originally from Chicago. However, you may note a little bit of Southern California in my accent as well. My family moved here to Southern California when I was a teenager and I lived down in Santa Ana in Orange County. I still have family in the area, so it is nice to come back here to the Los Angeles area this weekend. I am currently the pastor of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Raymond, MS and Holy Savior Catholic Church in Clinton, MS, two towns just outside the city of Jackson. I have also been serving as the vicar general of the Diocese for the past five years.

In wanting to share some specific ministry stories with all of you from our Diocese, I thought of the prison ministry in our Diocese, something that is very dear to my own heart. I have been involved in prison ministry most of my priesthood. I go out to the federal prison in Yazoo City, which has about 6,000 inmates, and the Mississippi state prison just outside of Jackson, with about 3,500 inmates. Often, the prisons in Mississippi are places of gangs, of violence, and of drugs, places without a lot of hope. For many years, we struggled to even get access to see the inmates. Often, at the state prison, I would have mass at the foyer of the building where the inmates lived, sometimes in the fire station at the prison, or even on a picnic bench outside the prison cafeteria. About a year ago, we got access to have Mass in the chapel and have been able to go out every week, which has made a huge difference. You probably can imagine what terrible living conditions they have in the prisons in Mississippi. If you can believe, most of the inmates live in housing units that have no air conditioning at all. Unbelievable. Yet, our ministry has transformed the lives of many inmates. We sometimes have more than 200 inmates attending Mass during any given week. We have had more than 20 men enter the Church this year. I have inmates themselves as the leaders of our Catholic community at the prison, even Eucharistic ministers. They try to be witnesses of our Catholic faith to the other inmates. You can tell I am very passionate about the prison ministry. It is amazing to see God at work in this mission environment of the prisons.

I am here as a priest from the missionary Diocese of Jackson to share some of our stories with you as a part of our Church’s larger missionary effort. Pope Francis has said that we as a Church should never lose our missionary identity. We always need to be a Church who goes forth into the world and invites others to our faith. Pope Francis calls all of us to be missionary in spirit, for all Catholics to be a part of the universal mission effort of the Church. And I think most importantly, in a world torn apart by divisions and conflict, we must recognize each other as our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we see ourselves as missionary in spirit, when we encounter our neighbor and invite him into our faith, it will open up so many possibility for us as well on our own journey and to see the Gospel in a new wonderful light.

I am so grateful to be here with all of you this weekend. To celebrate around the altar of the Lord. Your parish is going to have a second collection to help us with the missionary needs of our Diocese, to help our prison ministry, our rural parishes, and our rural schools. I want to thank you for any help you are able to give. Also, I am ask for your prayers for our Diocese of Jackson. And be assured that I will keep all of you and your parish in my prayers as well.

Friday, August 30, 2024

30 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - You call us to be proclaim your Good News.

Christ Jesus - You bring us hope.

Lord Jesus - You bring us your proclamation of God’s kingdom.

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

1. For Pope Francis: that God will help him and all our Church leaders guide the Church to greater service, love, and unity.

2. That all Christians may cooperate and collaborate together to proclaim the Gospel in the world.

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

4. That the Holy Spirit will guide our elected officials in addressing issues of violence, injustice, and poverty, and to work more diligently for those who are oppressed or forgotten by society.

5. For healing in our families and our communities: that those touched by violence, anger, division, or addictions may heal and reconcile and be brought to wholeness.

6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our heart:

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

Prayers of the faithful - Passion of John the Baptist - Thursday of 21st week in Ordinary Time - 29 August 2023

Lord Jesus - you are our hope.

Christ Jesus - you are our strength.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior and our redeemer.

Priest: As we commemorate St John the Baptist in a special way today, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father.

1. We pray for a deeper commitment to the stewardship of our planet. May we find ways to secure the earth and her resources for our children and future generations.

2. For all who are in special need. For those who suffer from anxiety or worry. For those who struggle through illness, death or grief. For healing for us in body, mind, and spirit.

3. For the grace of true conversion, that we in the Church may address the needs of our world, not only with words, but with determination and action.

4. May we turn away from self-righteous attitudes. We pray that the Lord may free us from the need to control, and from pride and selfishness. May we learn to serve others with love, patience and humility.

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

6. As we commemorate John the Baptist today, we pray for all who are called to be God's prophets and all who are persecuted for their faith.

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, we present our prayers today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

28 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to faith.

Christ Jesus - you call us to trust.

Lord Jesus - you call us to love.

Priest: The Lord is at our side to support us and to guide us. Let us present our needs to God with confidence.

1. For all Christians, that they may be found ready when the Savior comes in glory.

2. For those who share the priesthood of Jesus, that they may be faithful ministers of God’s healing and forgiveness.

3. For those who live in fear or anxiety, that God’s consoling word may be their support.

4. For the bereaved, whether their loss was recent or many years ago, that they may find healing and wholeness in their lives.

5. For those who suffer, in body, mind or spirit, that God’s powerful presence may help them to stand firm and bring healing into their lives.

6. For the faithful departed, that they may awake to everlasting life. We pray especially for the souls in purgatory.

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

Priest: O Lord, you are our portion and our cup, you support us all our days: hear the prayers we make for all your Church, though Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

27 August 2024 - ST MONICA - Tuesday of the 21st week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you are our hope.

Christ Jesus - you are our strength.

Lord Jesus - you are our Savior.

Priest: We present our prayers to our heavenly Father with faith and hope:

1. We pray for a deeper commitment to the stewardship of our planet. May we find ways to secure the earth and her resources for our children and future generations.

2. For all who are in special need. For those who suffer from anxiety or worry. For those who struggle through illness, death or grief.

3. For the grace of true conversion, that we in the Church may address the needs of our world, not only with words, but with determination and action.

4. We pray, Lord, that you free us from the need to control, from pride and selfishness. May we learn to serve others with love, patience and humility.

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

6. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Monica for those who are separated from the Church or for those who have left the faith.

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, we present our prayers this morning through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Thursday, August 22, 2024

25 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - Prison ministry

Introduction: Our faith and the presence of the Holy Spirit draw us to Mass today. Even though God calls us to Mass, ultimately, it is our decision to come to worship the Lord with our community of faith. The first disciples were faced with that same decision, whether they would persevere and commit to the Way of Jesus. May their response inspire us on our journey of faith.

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus - you are the bread of life - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you are the holy one of God - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are our redeemer and our savior - Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: As we put our trust in the Lord, our confidence in the Lord comes from our commitment to our faith. We now place our needs in God’s hands:

1. That we in the Church may be one as Christ is one, that all Christians may unite as a single body in Christ, we pray to the Lord.

2. That leaders in government, business, and labor may come together to build a consensus amongst the people they represent in their efforts to make the world a better place, we pray to the Lord.

3. We pray for good weather for our gardens and for our farmers, for a bountiful harvest, we pray to the Lord.

4. That nuns, brothers, and monks be blessed in their vocation dedicated to God, we pray to the Lord.

5. For those who have difficulty putting God’s word into practice, may they be inspired by the faithful Christians who live out their faith each day, we pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for our sick and shut-ins in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for those who are close to death, for their entry into eternal life with God, we pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: Gracious God, we invite you into our hearts in our prayers today. Hear the prayers we make and grant them according to your will, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

25 August 2024 - Mission appeal at St Rose of Lima Catholic Church in the archdiocese of Los Angeles - homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - John 6:60-69

For five Sundays in a row now, we have heard Jesus speak of himself as the bread of life. As we are celebrating a Eucharistic revival in our country, it is really wonderful for us to be able to reflect on the body and blood of Christ that we receive each time we celebrate the Eucharist. These challenging words of Jesus were hard for some of his disciples to accept, so some of them went back to their former ways of life. But, the challenge is for us to live in the spirit of the Eucharist each day in our days and to witness this Eucharistic spirit to others. We try to do that in different ways in the Diocese of Jackson. We bring this missionary spirit to the students in the Catholic schools in our Diocese, to the small rural parishes that we have, and throughout our various ministries.

In wanting to share some specific ministry stories with all of you from our Diocese, I thought of the prison ministry in our Diocese, something that is very dear to my own heart. I have been involved in prison ministry most of my priesthood. I go out to the federal prison in Yazoo City, which has about 6,000 inmates, and the Mississippi state prison just outside of Jackson, with about 3,500 inmates. For many years, we struggled to even get access to see the inmates. Often, at the state prison, I would have mass at the foyer of the building where the inmates lived, sometimes in the fire station at the prison, or even on a picnic bench outside the prison cafeteria. About a year ago, we got access to have Mass in the chapel and have been able to go out every week, which has made a huge difference. You probably can imagine what terrible living conditions they have in the prisons in Mississippi. If you can believe, most of the inmates live in housing units that have no air conditioning at all. Unbelievable. Yet, our ministry has transformed the lives of many inmates. We sometimes have more than 200 inmates attending Mass during any given week. We have had more than 20 men enter the Church this year. I have inmates themselves as the leaders of our Catholic community at the prison, even Eucharistic ministers. They try to be witnesses of our Catholic faith to the other inmates. You can tell I am very passionate about the prison ministry. It is amazing to see God at work in this mission environment of the prisons.

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

20 August 2024 - prayer for diocesan finance council meeting

Lord, we come to you today in our Diocesan finance council in the midst of our reality: in trying to give good advance for the financial management of our Diocese. We live in a world today in the midst of a very challenging reality. We also have our Diocesan reimagining process and our national Eucharistic renewal to inspire us and to give us strength. Lord, we ask that you lead us and guide us in our discussions this morning. Thank you for the dedication of the men and women who serving you and our Diocese. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Monday, August 19, 2024

1 September 2024 - prayers of the faithful - 22nd Sunday in ordinary time

Introduction: On Labor Day, weekend, we pray for our workers and for the contributions they make to their families, the community, and the nation. We also celebrate the World Day of prayer for the care of creation, praying that we may work together to ensure that the world may be enjoyed by future generations. Let us praise God for this wonderful world.

Penitential rite:

Lord Jesus - you bring justice to the poor - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you are the word of God made flesh - Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus - you are the everlasting son of the Father - Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: All good things come from God above. Let us turn to God at Mass today with our needs and the needs of our brothers and sisters, calling upon God’s great mercy:

1. That we in the Church remain steadfast in caring for the earth. May we reduce waste and conserve the earth’s resources. We pray to the Lord. 2. That our elected officials will work toward just laws and statutes. We pray to the Lord.

3. As we get ready to celebrate Labor Day on Monday, we pray for all workers, that they are justly compensated and that they have just working conditions. We also pray for the unemployed, that they find work that is productive and fulfilling. We pray to the Lord.

4. For the wisdom for society to find solutions to reduce crime and violence. We pray to the Lord.

5. That all Catholics be doers of God’s word, not just hearers. That we may labor in the world to extend God’s blessings upon those who must need it. We pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for the sick and the shut-in. 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. For all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of our ancestors, your laws and commandments guided a great nation in the ways of justice and mercy. Teach us in the ways of right living according to your commands. Grant the prayers we make today through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

1 September 2024 - bulletin reflection - 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

This weekend we commemorate Labor Day. When I was growing up as a child in Chicago, Labor Day always marked the end of the summer and the beginning of the new school year. With school starting earlier now for much of the country, this weekend no longer has this same meaning. Our Catholic faith teaches us about the rights and dignity of the worker and of human work, so Labor Day retains a great significance in our faith. We pray for all workers this weekend. We also pray for those who are unemployed and those who are looking for new work. This weekend is the last of my two weekends away in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for mission appeals. The missionary spirit of the Diocese of Jackson is what drew me here to Mississippi to be a Diocesan priest. I always enjoy traveling to other parts of the country to talk about our experiences as a mission Diocese. Blessings to all of you this Labor Day weekend - Father Lincoln.

1 September 2024 - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - James 1:17-18, 21b-22, 27

For five Sundays this summer, concluding with last Sunday’s Mass celebration, we heard from the 6th chapter of John’s Gospel. In those Gospel readings, we heard of Jesus feeding the hungry crowd with the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, we heard of Jesus telling the crowd that he is the bread of life who has come down from heaven, that we are to receive his body and blood as nourishment in order for us to have eternal life. Those words from John’s Gospel are so important to us as Catholics; they are integral to what we believe about the Eucharist. For us, the Eucharist is not just about what we receive, but the Eucharist is a way of life as we the members of the Church make up the Body of Christ here on earth.

Today, we will start hearing from the letter of James in our second readings, which we will also hear in our Sunday Masses five weeks in a row. The Letter of James was written to challenge believers who said they had faith, yet who did not live out their faith in their actions. We hear a famous verse from the first chapter of James today, which encourages us to “be doers of the word, not hearers only.” In a couple of weeks, we will hear a statement in James which is at the center of much discussion in the Christian world, which tells us that ‘faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.”

Just prior to telling us that we are to be doers of God’s word, not just hearers of his word, the Letter of James tells us to humbly welcome the word that has been planted in us and that is able to save our soul. James doesn’t want us to only hear the word; he wants us to believe God’s word and do what it says. Someone who “only” hears the word is someone who attends church, hears the Bible readings and the homily, but is completely unaffected by it. This is not hearing with faith. This is not hearing with repentance and the fruits of repentance. This is hearing only.

James wants us to realize that true faith in Jesus, a faith that always comes about through God’s grace, will always lead to action. True faith is an active faith. James gives us an example that is excluded from today’s reading, as he states: “if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror. He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.” So, we look in the mirror in the morning, and we see a smudge on our face, a tear on our shirt, or a thread hanging off our clothing, we just don’t go away, we fix it, right? God’s word is like the mirror that we look at when we get dressed. God’s word shows us what is true about ourselves. When we see that we are not living out our true identity as a disciple of Christ, we should want to address it.

As we hear this letter of James today, I think of the feast day of St Augustine which we celebrated last Wednesday. One of my favorite poets is the American poet Mary Oliver. She says this about St Augustine in a prose poem: “Things take the time they take. Don't worry. How many roads did St. Augustine follow before he became St. Augustine?” St Augustine of Hippo, born in northern Africa in the middle of 4th century, is one of the most influential theologians in the history of Christianity. Yet, if you know anything about St Augustine and his life, you know that it is how God’s word transformed him, how he became a doer of God’s word, is how he became the St Augustine that we know and revere today. His life as a young man was not characterized by Christian morality. He was searching for meaning everywhere, often in not very good places. Not only in partying and womanizing, but in following a certain philosophy, only to discard that philosophy when he discovered a new one. He followed the Manichean philosophy for 9 years, and then drifted away from that when it no longer satisfied his search. Teaching rhetoric in Milan at the time, he happened to hear the preaching of St Ambrose, the Bishop of Milan. Ambrose led Augustine to a new understanding of the Bible and of the Christian faith. Augustine heard God telling him to pick up the Bible and to read it. He opened up a Bible and read this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13: 13-14). Augustine knew that he needed to live that message out in his life. A year later, he was baptized a Christian by St Ambrose and there was no turning back in the life of St Augustine as a disciple of Christ - no turning back ever. No more looking for meaning in parties and in the ephemeral pleasures of this world. No more going from one philosophy to another. Reflecting upon his experiences, Augustine wrote this: “You have made us for yourself, Lord; our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

What can we do in our lives to not just hear God’s word, but to be a doer of the word? Well, I would like to suggest a few things. Pray and read the Bible and listen to God’s word as it is presented to us by the holy Church. However, also be a person of action. Reach out to the poor, the sick, and the lonely. Evangelize others out of your faith. Volunteer in a ministry at church. Teach or help out in our religious education program. Don’t just ask what your Church and your faith can do for you. Be a servant just as Christ was a servant - put your faith into action.

25 August 2024 - bulletin reflection - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

This upcoming week, we celebrate the feast days of St Monica and St Augustine of Hippo. Monica, a faithful Christian, always prayed for the conversion of her son Augustine, even when he was very far from a life of faith. Augustine had a great conversion and became an important theologian and Bishop in the Early Church. Many of us have family members or friends for whom we offer prayers, for whom we desire to have a conversion of faith or to be brought closer into the Church. May we join our prayers with the prayers of Augustine and Monica this upcoming week, praying for others and for their journey of faith. For the next two weekends I will be out of town on Mission Appeals in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Know that my prayers are with all of you. Blessings - Father Lincoln.

25 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus - you are the bread of life - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you are the holy one of God - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are our redeemer and our savior - Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: As we put our trust in the Lord, our confidence in the Lord comes from our commitment to our faith. We now place our needs in God’s hands:

1. That we in the Church may be one as Christ is one, that Christians of every denomination unite as a single body in Christ, we pray to the Lord. 2. That leaders in government, business, and labor may come together to build a consensus amongst the people they represent in their efforts to make the world a better place, we pray to the Lord.

3. We pray for good weather for our gardens and for our farmers, for a bountiful harvest, we pray to the Lord.

4. That consecrated religious sisters and brothers be blessed in their vocation dedicated to God, we pray to the Lord.

5. For those who have difficulty putting God’s word into practice, may they be inspired by the faithful Christians who live out their faith each day, we pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for our sick and shut-ins in body, mind, and spirit, we pray to the Lord.

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

25 August 2024 - homily for 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time - CYCLE B - John 6:60-69

For five Sundays in a row now, we’ve been reading through the 6th chapter of John’s Gospel. This Chapter is referred to as the Bread of Life discourse. Jesus describes himself as the living bread that has come down from heaven, as the bread that will give us eternal life. As we hear the conclusion of our readings from the Bread of Life discourse today, we can make some observations of what we’ve been hearing these past five weeks.

Several times in these readings, it mentions that the people murmured and quarreled. It seems like in our modern world, murmuring and quarreling are part of our DNA, something we think we are entitled to do. Sometimes we murmur or complain for no good reason. With all that Jesus had explained to the people about being the bread of life, of his disciples eating his true flesh that will give them eternal life unlike the mana that the Israelites ate in the desert, they were still confused and frustrated, not understanding what he was really saying. His own disciples said: “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” Even 2,000 years later, after all of our education and theology and the faith that has been passed down to us, many of the faithful still have trouble believing Jesus’ words. The national Catholic research organization at Georgetown University in Washington, DC – CARA – did a study recently, asking practicing Catholics if they believed that Jesus was truly present in the bread and wine that we receive in the Eucharist, if we believe that it is truly his Body and Blood. Only 57% practicing Catholic surveyed said that they believed in that statement. What a staggering statistic. In our faith, we are called to see greater understanding, and as we grow in our understanding of God, we are called to grow in our faith. Some of the mysteries and tenants of our faith are difficult to understand, to be sure, which is why Bible study groups and religious education and small faith communities are so important. We started an apologetics class last fall, and it really struck a chord with the adults who attended it, so much so that this group will reconvene in September. In light of today’s Gospel, it might be relevant for us to ponder this: When we think that understanding our faith is too hard, is it really the Word of the Lord that is hard, or is it ours hearts that want only to close themselves off from what Jesus is trying to tell us? Are we threatened by the way the Word of God contradicts some of the ways we live our lives and the secular values that have ensnared us?

At the end of Christ’s discussion today with the disciples, some of them decide that this is too much; they leave Jesus and draw back into their former way of life. If we look back one or two generations, especially prior to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, most Catholics back then attended mass because they knew it was the right thing to do. They respected the authority of the Church and felt a sense of obligation to practice their faith. Perhaps we could say that there was an element of fear as well. Some of that way of thinking might not have been the healthiest way to approach the faith. Today, that sense of obligation is not present in a lot of Catholics. The Body and Blood of Christ that we receive in the mass each time we gather should encourage us and transform us into wanting to live out the spirit of the Eucharist in our lives.

I remember when I first arrived as a missionary in a remote jungle region of Ecuador, I was amazed to find how much that region was abandoned by the government, and how much the Catholic Church stepped in and provided basic services to the people. Schools, hospitals, medical clinics, an orphanage, agricultural stations, community centers, business initiative programs, small loan funds, community art projects – it seemed like the Church was involved in every area of the people lives. Everywhere, our Church is working very hard to be relevant in the lives of the people. In our masses, in our religious education program, and in our youth group, we try to be engaged in what is important in the lives of the people, to try to stimulate us in the values of the faith. As the United States is becoming more secular, as we see more and more people leaving the faith, we need to find ways to stay firm in the faith and to live out the spirit of the Eucharist in the world. I spoke to you a lot recently of the need of all of us to be evangelizers of our Catholic faith. To not be timid or afraid to be witnesses. To invite others to our faith. As individuals and as a community, the joy of our faith should arise within us and call us to this task of evangelization.

The Eucharist, of Jesus as the Bread of Life. It is to bring joy to our hearts and call us to action, just the opposite of the murmuring and quarreling and leaving the faith that we saw in some of the disciples in today’s Gospel. If the Eucharist is supposed to be the Bread of Life, how is it breathing life into our lives?

Saturday, August 10, 2024

15 August 2024 - homily for the solemnity of the assumption of Mary - Luke 1:39-56

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated on August 15, holds a special place in the hearts of Catholics all over the world. This day commemorates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven, body and soul

The Assumption is the oldest feast day of Our Lady, having started in the Early Church. The Assumption refers to the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, is taken up into heaven at the end of her earthly life. Unlike other saints who experience bodily death and await the resurrection, Mary’s Assumption signifies her being taken directly into heaven.

The Assumption of Mary holds significant theological importance. It highlights Mary’s unique role in salvation history as the mother of Jesus and as the first disciple. Mary’s Assumption points the Catholic faithful to the promise of our own resurrection and the hope of eternal life with God. It is a sign of the victory over sin and death, reminding us of the ultimate destiny that awaits all faithful Christians.

As I have been sharing with you, even though the Dogma of the Assumption was declared by Pope Pius XII in 1950, it reflects not only a belief that was present in the early Church, but it also reflects the love and devotion that the faithful have always had for our mother Mary. It is easy to get caught up in the technical details about our feast days, but we cannot forget the love of our faith and the love we have for Mary, and the way that Mary always points us to her son.

The hymn that Mary sings in the Magnificat in the Gospel of Luke in response to her visit and greeting with her cousin Elizabeth displays Mary’s great sense of love, faithfulness, justice, and compassion. Let us lift up our prayers to Mary today on this great feast day as we pray the Hail Mary together:

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.  Holy Mary, Mother of God,  pray for us sinners,  now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - Solemnity of the Assumption - 15 August 2024

Introduction - At the end of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary, forever unstained by sin, was brought to heaven body and soul. Through Mary, God’s son was born. Our Blessed Mother was taken to heaven to be reunited with her beloved Son. Today, we celebrate Mary as a model of obedience and humility. She intercedes for us as Queen of Heaven. Mary stands ready to welcome us to eternal life in the presence of our Lord.

Penitential rite - Priest:

Lord Jesus - you are the Beloved Son of God the Father- Lord have mercy. Christ Jesus - you have done great things for us - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you were born of the Virgin Mary - Lord have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

Priest: Mary intercedes for us at her son’s right hand. Let us join our prayers with Mary’s prayers, as she is our greatest model of faith:

1. That Mary’s acceptance of God’s will may be a model for us as we accept the challenges of living out our faith each day. We pray to the Lord. 2. For our world leaders and local governmental leaders, that through their leadership we may lift up the lowly, fill the hungry with good things, and extend love and mercy to those in need. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all mothers and expectant mothers, that they may look to Mary as an example of devotion and strength as they live out their vocation as mothers. We pray to the Lord.

4. For all doctors, nurses, and medical professional. May their bring healing and wholeness to their patients. We pray to the Lord.

5. For our parish community, that we may be a living, serving model of faith, bringing the Gospel message to others. We pray to the Lord.

6. For healing for the sick. 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. For all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: God of love and salvation, Mary’s acceptance of your will allowed the promises you made to your people be fulfilled through your son. May Mary be a model for us as we present these prayers to you through your Son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time - 23 August 2024

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

Christ Jesus - You endured the passion of the cross, Christ have mercy.

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

Priest: In our weaknesses and in our brokenness, we come before God as we trust that our prayers will be heard:

1. For the prophets of our modern world, that they may persevere as they bring God's message to the world, we pray to the Lord.

2. For nations and communities who are divided by war, violence, or conflicts, that they may work hard toward healing and peace, we pray to the Lord.

3. For those we have been affected by natural disasters and hot summer weather, that they find strength and encouragement in the midst of their losses and their sufferings, we pray to the Lord.

4. For all who gather around the Eucharistic table of the Lord, that they may find hope and deeper faith that they may share with others through actions of love and mercy, we pray to the Lord.

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

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, you are the source of power and might. 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.

22 August 2024 - The queenship of Mary - prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 20th week in ordinary time

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 made flesh: Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of the faithful:

PRIEST: God graciously blesses us with his love and mercy. As we celebrate the queenship of Mary today, we bring forward our needs to God with confidence:

1. That those who follow Christ may remain faithful throughout the challenges and struggles of their lives.

2. That God may grant wisdom to our governmental leaders in the difficult and challenging decisions they have to make.

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.

5. That our Mother Mary, the Queen of Heaven and Earth, may be an example to all of us in her patience, compassion, and love.

6. For all who have been affected by storms and hot summer weather.

7. We pray for the sick and the shut-in. We pray that perpetual light may shine on all our dearly departed.

8. For those prayers we hold in our hearts.

PRIEST: Gracious God, you bless your people in many ways. We ask that you accept our prayers and give us your help, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

20 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life.

Christ Jesus - you call us to discipleship.

Lord Jesus - you reach out to the poor in spirit and the lonely.

We present our prayers to God this evening, confident in his love and mercy:

1. For the Church: that we may keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and be encouraged by the faithfulness of our fellow Christians

2. That God will strengthen us in times of conflict and division so that we may remain faithful disciples.

3. For teachers, staff and administrators as they start the school year: that God will give them wisdom, patience, and understanding for all of their students.

4. For peace in our communities and throughout our land, that the Holy Spirit will guide every heart to work untiringly to end violence and promote the safety and dignity of each person.

5. For all who are in need, the homeless, the sick, those with addictions or mental illness.

6. For all parishioners and loved ones who have died, that God will embrace them on their journey to eternal life.

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

God of mercy, as you renew the Church in every age, we ask you to renew all of us in spirit as we make these prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

21 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to have faith in you.

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

Lord Jesus - you call us to God’s love.

Priest: The Lord is at our side to support us and guide us. Let us present our needs to God today with confidence and hope.

1. For all Christians, that they may be found ready when the Savior comes again in glory.

2. For all Church leaders, that they may be faithful messengers of God’s healing and forgiveness.

3. For those who live in fear or anger, for those who struggle with addictions, depression, and mental illness, that God’s living word may be their support.

4. For the bereaved and the grieving, that they may find healing and wholeness in their lives.

5. For those who suffer in illness in body, mind or spirit, that God’s love may help them to endure and to bring healing into their lives.

6. For the faithful departed, that they may awake to everlasting life. We pray for the souls in purgatory.

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

Priest: O Lord, you are our portion and our cup. You support us all the days of our lives. We ask that you hear the prayers we make for all your Church and for those in need, though Jesus Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

21 August 2024 - Wednesday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time - Pope Pius X - Ezekiel 34:1-11 - Psalm 23

In the early 20th century, three of the four popes were named Pius, so to me, it is difficult separating them and distinguishing them from one another. Today, we celebrate the first of those popes named Pius in the 20th century - Pope Pius X. Installed as pope in 1904, and serving right after the influential Pope Leo XIII, Pius X served as pope for 11 years. As a young priest, he helped his people during a terrible cholera epidemic that spread through northern Italy in the 1870s. He took as his motto as pope: “To restore all things in Christ.” One of his important reforms along those lines was to encourage the frequent reception of holy communion, something that had gone of favor in the Church at the time. To do that, he lowered the age of reception of first communion to the age of seven, seen as the age a child could reason between right and wrong and could understand the sacrament he was receiving. He started an important reform of canon law and the reform of Church music, including the revival of Gregorian chant. He also worked to combat the philosophies of modernism and relativism, with relativism being something that pervasive now in our own day.

Every era needs renewal. Every era has its own challenges and obstacles. While Psalm 23 today talks about the good shepherd, our reading from Ezekiel today talks about shepherds who do not take care of their flock, who rather look for gaining advantage for themselves, not for the well-being of their sheep. They enjoy the benefits of having a flock of sheep, drinking their milk and dressing themselves with their wool, but rather than be grateful and gracious to their flock, they are shown mistreatment in return. Ezekiel sees the shepherds of Israel, the rulers of the people, as neglecting their flock. They do not care for the weak. They do not seek out the lost. They allow them to be preyed upon without coming to their defense. May we give thanks today for the good shepherds such as Pope Pius X who have guided the Lord’s flock throughout Church history.

20 August 2024 - homily for Tuesday of the 20th week in Ordinary Time - St Bernard of Clairvaux - Matthew 19:23-30

Today, we celebrate St Bernard of Clairvaux, one of the most important Church Fathers in the Middle Ages. He was an Abbot in the Cistercian monastic order from France in the 12th Century when monastery had a lot of influence in the Church and in society. Bernard became a monk at the age of 16, bringing along five of his brothers in a group that included more than 30 family and friends, all of them joining the monastery together. Bernard is considered the most influential theologian and Church leader from his era in Church history. In addition, he is considered by many theologians and Church historians as the last of the Church Fathers. His theological and spiritual influences are considered so significant that he was named as a Doctor of the Church in 1830 by Pope Pius VIII. Among him many contributions to the Church, Bernard founded many monasteries and he healed a schism that was forming in the Church in his day. In obedience to the pope, he was sent throughout Europe to gather support for the Second Crusade in the Holy Land. Through Bernard’s eloquent appeals, a massive European army was assembled, so success in this Crusade seem all but assured, but it ended in disaster. Of the order to which Bernard belonged, there was a break in 1892, with the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, known as the Trappists, forming a new order, and the Cistercians of the Common Observance remaining active as well.

Our Gospel today addresses the topic of salvation, about who will be saved. St Bernard and the monastic system of the Middle Ages and the Crusades in the Holy Land where all a part of attempts to address our salvation and the spread of Christianity throughout the world. It is easy for us to judge the Middle Ages from through the lens of history in a very critical way. However, let us give thanks for St Bernard of Clarivaux and the Church of the Middles Ages that helped Christianity survive and that helped pass down the faith to us.

Friday, August 9, 2024

18 August 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time - prison ministry

Lord Jesus - you are the living bread from heaven - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - your flesh and your blood are true food and true drink - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you are the fountain of redemption - Lord have mercy.

Priest: Knowing that Jesus gave his very flesh for the life of the world, let us have the confidence to present our needs and the needs of the world to the Lord, trusting that our prayers will be heard:

1. That we in the Church may welcome God’s faithful to receive the living bread, as Christ’s living bread provides the spiritual nourishment that sustains us on our journey to God’s kingdom. We pray to the Lord. 2. For those who are struggling spiritually, that they may find what they need in Christ. We pray to the Lord.

3. For those who are battling addictions, mental illness, depression, or eating disorders. That they may find support and healing. We pray to the Lord. 4. For all of our family members and children who are starting the new school year, for all men here at CMCF who are in classes, that the Lord may bless them their studies this school year. We pray to the Lord.

5. That all Catholics may recognize the bread of life that we have in us and find in that bread the sustenance we need. We pray to the Lord. 6. For the prayers we hold in the silence of our hearts. For all our prayer intentions spoken and unspoken. We pray to the Lord.

Priest: Generous God, you set a banquet for us and you invite us to partake in its goodness. May we have our fill and share what we have with others. We make our prayers through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

18 August 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Introduction: Jesus gives us an incredible gift each time we come to Mass: his very flesh and blood gives life to the world. Christ invites everyone to receive this wonderful gift. The Eucharist sustains us and nourishes us on our journey. May we give thanks today for this opportunity to receive the Body of Christ, the bread of life.

Lord Jesus - you are the living bread from heaven - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - your flesh and your blood are true food and true drink - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are the fountain of redemption - Lord have mercy.

2. For those who are struggling spiritually, that they may find what they need in Christ. We pray to the Lord.

3. For those who are battling addictions, mental illness, depression, or eating disorders. That they may find support and healing. We pray to the Lord.

4. For all students and teachers, that the Lord may bless them this new school year. We pray to the Lord.

5. That all Catholics may recognize the bread of life that we have in us and find in that bread the sustenance we need. We pray to the Lord.

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

18 August 2024 - Bulletin Reflection - 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time

One of the inmates at the state prison in Pearl recently told me that he still struggles with a lot of doubts on his journey of faith. He feels alone in prison and sometimes doubts the presence of God in all his rough experiences there. However, he told me that it is the Eucharist that gives him encouragement and hope and that helps him in his times of doubt. This same inmate is very joyful and enthusiastic in helping us gather the men to come to Mass each weekend. He tries to encourage those inmates who themselves are really struggling in prison. It edifies me as a priest to see this young man find hope in the Eucharist. As we hear readings from the 6th Chapter of John’s Gospel at the Sunday Masses this month of August, may the Eucharist continue to speak to us and nurture us. Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln.

18 August 2024 - homily for 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time - John 6:51-58

We receive new life in our Church and in our Catholic faith in different ways. The inspiration and prayers we receive from the community of saints is one of those wonderful gifts we have in our faith. This past Friday, August 16, is the feast day of St Roch – named San Roque in Spanish and St Rocco in Italian. He was a popular saint in the Middle ages when many legends developed about him. St Roch lived in the 14th century in Montpellier, France. His parents died when he was a young adult, leaving him with a great fortune. He gave his money away to the poor and became a pilgrim. While traveling on a pilgrimage to Rome, he encountered many victims of plague in the villages he traveled through in Italy. He nursed and cured many victims, but came down with the plague himself. The civil authorizes banished him to the forest because of his affliction, where he was isolated and starving. God sent a little dog to help him in answer to his prayers for help. The dog not only licked his wounds to heal them, but the dog brought him morsels of bread each day for Roch to eat. Roch eventually was healed and he continued his ministry in healing others. As God sent bread to St Roch to keep him alive, as God sent mana to the starving Israelites in the desert, so God sends us the bread of life in the form of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer.

“I am the living bread who came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. And the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world” What amazing words we hear today in our Gospel. We can sometimes take those words for granted, since they are at the heart of the Eucharist we celebrate each time we gather around the Lord’s table for mass. Yet, let us try to imagine how shocking those words would have been to the people of Jesus’ day. As we reflect about Jesus as the living bread sent to us, let us think about the words of consecration as we offer the bread and wine to God; that sacrifice becomes the body and blood of Christ. Early Church Father St Augustine of Hippo said this about the Eucharist: “In the presence of (God’s holy) word, the body and blood of Christ comes to be. For if we take away God’s word, there is simply bread and wine, but add the word, it is something else.... Add the word, the bread and the wine become a Sacrament." Through the words of consecration at mass, God enacts a transformation that will nourish us. Jesus provides for us in the bread of life as we receive him as the true presence of God the Son.

Our faith is not just words. Our faith must be a personal relationship with Christ, a relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. As most of you know, I am not a cradle Catholic but became Catholic at 29 years old. As a priest and as a convert, I often get asked to explain what the Eucharist means to me. I wish I had a list of all the masses I have attended throughout the years as a lay person and that I have celebrated as a priest. I have gone to mass in many different countries and in many different cultures, even in languages I did not understand. All those experiences touched me and helped me better appreciate the Eucharist, often in mysterious ways that my heart understands but that are hard to put into words.

For me, that sense of community we have at mass, in receiving Christ in the Eucharist together as a community, in becoming the Body of Christ ourselves – that is one of the main things that drew me to the Catholic faith and that keeps me committed to our faith. When I lived in Winnipeg, Canada for two years, I attended a Catholic church close to where I lived. The most popular mass at that parish by far – standing room only most times – was at 9:00 pm on Sunday evenings. You imagine how cold and dark it was traveling there on Sunday evenings in the middle of the Canadian winter – and I was riding a bicycle several miles to get there. There was great diversity in that parish. Often times I would be sitting next to a family that was Filipino or Hispanic immigrants, and then a few pews in front of me often sat the head coach and his family of Winnipeg’s pro-football team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. In the midst of being a lay missionary serving in a soup kitchen, I felt the unity of Eucharist helping me feel a part of that community and strengthening me in my service. If we are hurting or struggling or feeling isolated, the Eucharist is there to heal us, strengthen us and nourish us. Pope Francis calls the Eucharist a Sacrament of healing and nourishment, rather than a reward for someone who is perfect.

Each time we receive the Eucharist, we receive the bread of life. Each time we receive the Eucharist, Christ enters us to renew us and transform us.

Monday, August 5, 2024

16 August 2024 - St Stephen of Hungary - Friday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time - Isaiah 12:2-6

Today, we celebrate the feast day of St Stephen. Born to a pagan in the 10th century, Stephen’s father was the chief of the Magyars, an ethnic group that lived in the Danube river region of the present-day country of country. He and his family were baptized as Christians when he was 10 years old. As an adult, he succeeded his father as the chief and supported his people’s conversion to Christianity. He requested that the Pope confer the title of king upon him, which was done on Christmas Day in the year 1001. He supported the building of churches and tithes to support the poor. He was canonized as a saint 50 years after his death in 1038. He is the patron saint of bricklayers and the country of Hungary.

Our psalm states today: “My strength and my courage is the LORD, and he has been my savior. With joy you will draw water at the fountain of salvation.” I really enjoy learning about the saints, about how they lived out their faith in the reality of their lives. St Stephen took strength and courage from his faith in the Lord, echoing the theme of today's psalm and helping transform an entire country to Christianity. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Stephen today.

16 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Friday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to holiness.

Christ Jesus - you help us grow in our faith.

Lord Jesus - you are the son of the Father.

Priest: God is faithful to us from generation to generation. We present our concerns before God the Most High.

1. That the Church’s profession of Jesus as the son of God may be manifest through giving our lives in service for others and in allowing God to raise us to new life.

2. That all Christians may find refuge and consolation in the cross of Christ.

3. For all who spend their lives serving others, including emergency personnel, aid workers, missionaries, and members of the military: that God will guide them each day and protect them from harm.

4. For all who are searching in their lives. For those who lack hope. That our Savior may reach out to them in the midsts of their questions and searching.

5. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life.

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

Priest: Father, we thank you for making us members of your family. As you hear our prayers, may we extend your goodness to all our brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

14 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Wednesday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time - St Maximilian Kolbe

Lord Jesus - you call us to forgiveness.

Christ Jesus - you are the word of God.

Lord Jesus - you call us to holiness.

Priest: As we celebrate St Maximillian Kolbe today on his feast day, we present our prayers to our heavenly Father.

1. That the Church may rededicate herself to living and proclaiming Christ's mercy.

2 That those living in confusion, ignorance or doubt may be filled with the truth and the light of Christ.

3 That we may encourage and support one another by devoting ourselves to God’s holy word and to our love for the Eucharist.

4. That our Diocese may be a fitting and revelatory sign of the presence of Christ in the world.

5. For the grace to face the trials and difficulties of life with the confidence and certainty that comes from the Resurrection.

6. For all those who are sick or shut in. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.

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

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

14 August 2024 - St Maximilian Kolbe - Wednesday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time - Psalm 113

We hear from psalm 113 today, a psalm of praise - the glory of the Lord is higher than the skies. We praise God in the midst of our joys and accomplishments. We are called to praise the Lord in the midst of our struggles and our sufferings; perhaps that is a bit more difficult.

Maximilian Kolbe is the saint we celebrate today. I first became interested with him in the context of my prison ministry, since he is the patron saint of prisoners. He was born in 1894 and became a priest in the order of the Conventual Franciscans in his native country of Poland. In the early 20th century as a newly ordained priest, Kolbe saw indifference as the greatest sin afflicting the people of his day. He founded the Militia of the Immaculata, whose aim was to fight evil with the witness of the good life, prayer, work, and suffering. He also founded a Franciscan monastery and publishing house in Poland and a monastery in Japan. In Poland, not afraid to speak against the occupying Nazi forces, Kolbe was arrested and sent to the Auschwitz concentration camp where he would eventually die, having taken the place of a man with a family who was going to be put to death. Kolbe was canonized a saint in 1982 by Pope John Paul II, who was from his native country of Poland. In addition to being the patron saint of prisoners, he is also the patron saint of those struggling with addictions. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Kolbe today.

13 August 2024 - Blessed Michael McGivney - Tuesday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 18:1-5 and 10-14

Today, we celebrate the feast day of Blessed Michael McGivney. He was born on August 12, 1852 in Connecticut to Irish immigrant parents. He died on August 14, 1890 at the age of 38. He left school at the age of 13 to work in a factory to help support his family. Even when he was able to start his studies for the priesthood, that time was interrupted by the death of his father. He was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Hartford in 1877. Reflecting on the struggles of his own family and other immigrant families, he and a group of men at his parish formed the Knights of Columbus in 1882 at his parish of St Mary’s to promote charity, unity, and fraternity amongst them and to assist the widows and orphans of the parish. The organization grew in a short period of time beyond the parish boundaries and now is an important part of the Catholic Church in the US and in other countries. Father McGivney died from pneumonia in 1890. He was beatified in 2020 by Pope Francis. At Father McGivney’s beatification, Pope Francis praised his zeal in his proclamation of Christ’s Gospel and his generous concern for his brothers and sisters, making Father McGivney an outstanding witness of Christian solidarity and fraternal assistance.

Our Gospel today presents us the parable of the lost sheep. Father McGivney’s vision was to reach out to the poor, the lost, and the forgotten in society. May we find inspiration in his example.

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Prayers of the faithful - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11 August 2024 - prison ministry

Introduction: In our Mass today, we hear about Elijah receiving a hearth cake from an angel on his journey when he is at the point of dying from hunger and thirst. This foreshadows the Bread of life that all of us receive in Jesus on our Christian journey of faith. May we be aware of how the Eucharist is always there to accompany us on our journey.

Lord Jesus - you are the living bread that has come down from heaven - Lord have mercy. Christ Jesus - you bring new life to your people - Christ have mercy. Lord Jesus - you are the way to eternal life - Lord have mercy.

Priest: God sent nourishment to Elijah after he prayed in his hour of need. We trust that God will respond to our needs in our prayers that we present today:

1. That the Church may provide food for all who hunger, drink for all who thirst, and nourishment for those who look to the bread of life to sustain them. We pray to the Lord.

 2. That we may work together to eliminate hunger and poverty. We pray that all here at CMCF get adequate nourishment. We pray to the Lord.

3. That those who are struggling on their journey through life may find the strength to endure and may find hope in the future. We pray to the Lord.

 4. We pray for our children and family members who are starting the new school year. We pray that the Lord accompany them in their school activities and in their studies. We pray to the Lord.

5. In the spirit of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, may we all be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving, living in love as Christ loves us. We pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: Loving God, from generation to generation you have provided for our needs. Let us see your kindness in the way that you grant our prayers, through your son Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

Prayers of the faithful - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11 August 2024

Lord Jesus - you are the living bread that has come down from heaven - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - you bring new life to your people - Christ have mercy.

Lord Jesus - you are the way to eternal life - Lord have mercy.

Priest: God sent nourishment to Elijah after he prayed in his hour of need. We trust that God will respond to our needs in our prayers that we present today:

1. That the Church may provide food for all who hunger, drink for all who thirst, and nourishment for those who look to the bread of life to sustain them. We pray to the Lord.

2. That we may work together to eliminate hunger and poverty. We pray to the Lord.

3. That those who are struggling on their journey through life may find the strength to endure and may find hope in the future. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who are starting new jobs or new schools and who have other new beginnings in life. We pray to the Lord.

5. In the spirit of St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, may we all be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving, living in love as Christ loves us. We pray to the Lord.

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

Bulletin Reflection - 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time - 11 August 2024

It does not matter if we are new to the Christian faith or if we have been a practicing Catholic our entire lives, we always have the opportunity to learn and grow in our faith. The Church in the United States is inviting all Catholics to grow in our understanding and appreciation of the Eucharist in these three years of Eucharistic renewal in our country. Even as a priest who has always had a great love for the Eucharist, the Eucharistic renewal has been a wonderful opportunity for me. It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us. In the month of August, we hear Gospel readings from the 6th chapter of John’s Gospel, in which Jesus describes that he is the bread of life. May we take this wonderful opportunity this month to reflect, learn, and grow in our appreciation of the Eucharist. Father Lincoln.

13 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to forgiveness.

Christ Jesus - you are the word of God.

Lord Jesus - you call us to holiness.

Priest: We present our prayers to our heavenly Father.

1. That the Church may rededicate herself to living and proclaiming Christ’s love and mercy in the world.

2 For those living in confusion, ignorance or doubt; that they may be filled with the truth and light of Christ.

3 Like the Apostles, may we, too, encourage and support one another by devoting ourselves to God’s Word, to community life, to the breaking of the bread, and to prayer.

4 For those who need to see the concrete evidence of divine mystery; that they may be made aware of God’s mystery so as to continue to grow and develop on their journey of faith.

5 That our Diocese may be a fitting and revelatory sign of the presence of Christ in the world.

6 For the grace to face the trials and difficulties of life with the confidence and certainty that comes from the Resurrection.

7 For all those who are sick or shut in. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed.

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

9 August 2024 - Friday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time - Edith Stein - Matthew 16:24-28

Edith Stein was born in 1891 in Breslau in the German Empire, which is now in the present day country of Poland. She was the youngest of 11 children of a Jewish family. Her father died when she was a child and her family drifted away from the Jewish faith. She became a professor in philosophy. At the age of 31, she converted to Catholicism after reading an autobiography about Saint Teresa of Avila. She said that we she finished that book, she knew it was about the truth of God. "When I had finished the book, I said to myself: This is the truth.” She became a Carmelite nun at the age of 43. She took the Carmelite name Teresa, Blessed of the Cross. She continued to have a passion for philosophy, even as a Carmelite nun. Due to her Jewish background, she was arrested in the midst of WWII in August 1942. One week after her arrest, she was put to death at the Auschwitz concentration camp. She was beatified in 1987 in Cologne, Germany by Pope John Paul II, and later canonized on 1998 by him as well. Her feast day is August 9, the day she was martyre). She is known as one of the patron saints of Europe and a patron saint for martyrs and for World Youth Day. One of her quotes states: ”Anyone who seeks truth seeks God, whether or not he realizes it.”

Our Gospel today tells us to take up our cross and to follow Jesus. We can do this in different ways in our lives. Edith Stein followed Jesus to her death in a concentration camp. We unite our prayers with her prayers today.

8 August 2024 - Prayers of the faithful - Thursday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to new life.

Christ Jesus - you call us to bring your Gospel message to the world.

Lord Jesus - you guide us toward God’s justice.

Priest: Confident in God’s love and mercy, we present now our prayers and petitions.

1. That we in the Church may continue to reach out to others in love, embracing the marginalized and those in need.

2. For governmental leaders throughout the world, that they may address the many pressing issues of our time and may they be open to receiving wisdom and understanding from God.

3. For parents, may God provide them with the wisdom and understanding they need to discern what is best for their children’s future.

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

5. For the Christian faithful, may they single-heartedly seek the kingdom of heaven.

6. For the sick and shut-in. For the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For those prayers we hold in our hearts today.

Priest: Loving God, we know it is you who in all things works for good, please grant us the eyes of faith to see the many ways you graciously accomplish these works. We make our prayers through your Son Christ our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.

7 August 2024 - prayers of the faithful - Tuesday of 18th week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus - you call us to holiness.

Christ Jesus - you help us grow in our faith.

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

Priest: God is faithful to us from generation to generation. We present our concerns before God the Most High.

1. The the Church’s profession of Jesus as the beloved Son of God may be manifest through the way we give our lives in service for others and through the way we invite God to raise us to new life.

2. That all Christians may we find refuge and inspiration in the cross of Christ.

3. For all emergency personnel, aid workers, missionaries, and members of the military: that God will guide them each day and protect them from harm in their service to society.

4. For all who are burdened lack of hope, facing daily challenges. For healing and wholeness.

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

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

Heavenly Father, we thank you for making us members of your family. As you hear our prayers, may we extend your goodness to all our brothers and sisters. We ask this through Christ our Lord forever and ever. Amen.

8 August 2024 - St Dominic - Thursday of the 18th week of Ordinary Time - Mark 16:13-23

In our Gospel today, we hear Jesus ask people to testify as to who he is. Some see him as the return of one of the prophets. This gets to the heart of what propelled the work of St Dominic the saint we celebrate today: the different opinions about Jesus’ identity that opposed the official teachings of the Church. Born in Spain in the 12th century, Dominic became a priest in the region of Castile and Leon. While traveling through France with his Bishop, Dominic found the prevalence of various heresies, including the Albigensian heresy that saw all matter as evil and that denied Christ’s divinity and the sacraments of the Church. Dominic saw the need for the Church to combat this heresy. He became a part of a preaching crusade to preach against this heresy, but the preachers were not successful because of their opulent lifestyle. Dominic wanted his order to be comprised of itinerant preachers who lived very humbly. He and his fellow preachers ultimately founded a community, which became the beginnings of the order of preachers, the Dominicans. They founded their first house in 1215. The Dominicans remain an influential religious order to this day. We unite our prayers with the prayers of St Dominic on his feast day.

7 August 2024 - St Sixtus II - Wednesday of the 18th week in Ordinary Time - Jeremiah 31:10-13

Pope Sixtus was elected Pope in the year 257. Not a lot is known about him, but most Church historians believe that he originally came from Greece. He served during the reign of the Roman Emperor Valerian, who was very tolerant when he first came to power. However, in 257 Valerian issued an edict that outlawed Christian worship and that directed that bishops, priests, and deacons be arrested. In the year 258, Sixtus and six deacons were put to death. He was buried in the Crypt of the Popes, within the Catacombs of Callixtus located on the Appian Way in Rome. Although we do not know much about Pope Saint Sixtus II, we know that he is a saint and among the early martyrs of our Church who also fought to unite the Church, treat sinners with mercy, and hold firm to the teachings handed down to us from the Apostles. As we honor this courageous saint, we pray that all of us be able to give witness to Christ by our fidelity to him.

The psalm today states: The Lord will guard us as a shepherd guards his flock. We are thankful for good shepherds like Pope Sixtus II who are willing to lead the faithful in the truth of God, even to the point of giving up their own lives.