7 June 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ - prison ministry

Introduction: Last Sunday, we celebrated the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. This weekend, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We give thanks for the gift of faith that we receive in the Eucharist each time we celebrate Mass. May we truly appreciate the ways Christ enters our lives in a special way in the Eucharist. 

Penitential rite - priest

Lord Jesus - you are the eternal high priest - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - your body and blood give us new life - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you are the way to peace and wholeness - Lord have mercy.

Prayers:

Priest: We the members of the Church are the Body of Christ. Let us offer our prayers for our needs and the needs of the world from our altar here on earth to God’s altar in heaven:

1. May the nourishment we receive in the Eucharist give us the strength to make sacrifices for others, giving of ourselves for those in need. We pray to the Lord. 2. That our elected leaders may hear and respond to the cries of the poor and the needy. We pray to the Lord.

3. For farmers, ranchers, farm workers, fishermen, and gardeners. For all whose work puts food on our tables. May they be blessed with good weather and a bountiful harvest. We pray for a good harvest for our gardens here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who thirst and hunger for justice and peace. May we all work together for an end to war, terrorism, and violence. We pray especially for peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East. We pray for peace here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord.

5. That our participation in the Eucharist may steadily transform us into the body of Christ. We pray to the Lord.

6. That in our words and our actions, we may bring hope to those who are struggling and afflicted. We pray for all who are dealing with anxiety, depression, addictions, and mental health issues. We pray to the Lord.

7. For our first responders, our veterans, the men and women in the military, and our medical professionals. We pray to the Lord.

8. For our children and our families. May they feel our love and prayers reaching out to them. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: May the body and blood of your son nourish us and sustain us on our mission as his disciples. We make our prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN. 

7 June 2026 - Prayers of the faithful for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Introduction: Last Sunday, we celebrated the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. This weekend, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We give thanks for the gift of faith that we receive in the Eucharist each time we celebrate Mass. May we truly appreciate the ways Christ enters our lives in a special way in the Eucharist. 

Penitential rite - priest

Lord Jesus - you are the eternal high priest - Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus - your body and blood give us new life - Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus - you are the way to peace and wholeness - Lord have mercy.

Prayers:

Priest: We the members of the Church are the Body of Christ. Let us offer our prayers for our needs and the needs of the world from our altar here on earth to God’s altar in heaven:

1. May the nourishment we receive in the Eucharist give us the strength to make sacrifices for others, giving of ourselves for those in need. We pray to the Lord. 2. That our elected leaders may hear and respond to the cries of the poor and the needy. We pray to the Lord.

3. For farmers, ranchers, farm workers, fishermen, and gardeners. For all whose work puts food on our tables. May they be blessed with good weather and a bountiful harvest. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those who thirst and hunger for justice and peace. May we all work together for an end to war, terrorism, and violence. We pray especially for peace in Ukraine and in the Middle East. We pray to the Lord.

5. That our participation in the Eucharist may steadily transform us into the body of Christ. We pray to the Lord.

6. That in our words and our actions, we may bring hope to those who are struggling and afflicted. We pray to the Lord.

7. For our first responders, our veterans, the men and women in the military, and our medical professionals. We pray to the Lord.

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

Priest: May the body and blood of your son nourish us and sustain us on our mission as his disciples. We make our prayers through Jesus Christ, our Lord forever and ever. AMEN.  

7 June 2026 - bulletin reflection for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Known also by its Latin title, Corpus Christi, this wonderful celebration this weekend is a special celebration of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. As we have been promoting education on the importance of the Eucharist in our Catholic faith in recent years, and as we have been promoting adoration of the blessed sacrament in a special way here in our parish in recent years, this weekend’s celebration should resinate in our hearts and in our lives in a special way. As I am in the Diocese of Des Moines, Iowa for a mission appeal this weekend, know that all of you are in my prayers. Blessings - Father Lincoln. 

5 June 2026 - homily for Friday of the 9th week in Ordinary time - 2 Timothy 3:10-17

Scripture scholars believe that St Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy in order to encourage Timothy and motivate him in his ministry to the people of Ephesus. We might wonder why Paul includes these wise words about Scripture in this letter, because surely Paul had spoken to Timothy about Sacred Scripture previously. Perhaps it is because when we get bogged down with the busy details of our daily lives, when we're stressed out about things and when we try to live out the Gospel in the midst of so much that is going on, we can lose sight of what is central. Perhaps these words about Scripture are a reminder for us today, to see the truth in God’s word and not to try to twist it into our desires and whims. It is easy to manipulate God’s word, but we go back to the Word of God again and again for it to instruct us and correct us and guide us.

Today, we commemorate the feast day of St Boniface, who was an English Benedictine monk and priest who evangelized the Germanic people of Europe in the 8th century, a period of European history known as the dark ages, a period of cultural and intellectual decline in Europe. St Boniface missionary work is often likened to that of St Paul, of his work in proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles in the ancient world. It was Pope Gregory II who sent Boniface to continental Europe as a missionary. Like Paul, Boniface dedicated himself 100% to spreading the Gospel amongst people who often practiced idol worship. 

Like Paul, Boniface’s charismatic personality and spiritual gifts attracted people to Jesus’ way of living out the Gospel message. Boniface did in the year 754 when a group of pagans struck him down while he was in the process of confirming into the Church some newly baptized members.Today, Boniface is recognized as the patron saint of Germany. He is an inspiration and example to many in the faith.

5 June 2026 - Prayers of the Faithful for Friday of the 9th week of Ordinary time

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

Christ Jesus - you proclaim the peace of God’s kingdom. 

Lord Jesus - you bring us new life. 

Priest: As we place our trust in the mercy of the risen Lord, we lift our prayers for the Church, the world, and all in need. 

1. That we may be a community of compassion, forgiveness, and witness to the resurrection. 

2. For Pope Leo XIV and for his prayer intention for the month of June: that sports be an instrument of peace, encounter, and dialogue among cultures and nations; that they promote values such as respect, solidarity, and personal growth.

3. For our deceased family members and loved ones. For their entry into eternal life. 

4. That nations burdened by violence, poverty, and injustice may feel the transformative power of Christ’s peace. 

5. For safety for all those who are traveling during the summer months. For our children, youth, and college students, that they may have a good summer break. 

6. For our children and youth who are engaged in Vacation Bible School this week. In thanksgiving for all who have helped this week. 

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

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

4 June 2026 - homily for Thursday of the 9th week in Ordinary time - 2 Timothy 2:8-15

Today, we commemorate St Petroc, who was born in Wales in the 6th century. He is said to have been the son of a Welsh chieftain. He studied in Ireland and established a monastery in England, ministering to the people of Cornwall, Devon, and Wales, establishing many different churches in those areas. He was known for his virtue of humility. Many legends and stories are told of his humility.  He became an important saint in England in the medieval period, with many people visiting the shrine dedicated to him. One legend is told of him arrogantly thinking he could predict the weather. In penance for his arrogance, it is told that he went to Rome and Jerusalem on pilgrimage, then went to India, where he lived on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean for 7 years, and then returned to Britain with a wolf as a pet that he got in India.  

Today, from the second letter of Timothy, Paul speaks about the sufferings he endures, that he sees these sufferings as down the same path of sufferings that Christ endured. Paul knows that persevering and enduring these sufferings for the sake of the Gospel is part of the life of a disciple of Christ. In our sufferings, we are to see these sufferings as united with Christ’s sufferings. We should see our life of discipleship as a part of the enduring mission of the Church that is a continuation of Christ’s mission. There is so much we can learn from Paul about how he approached his life of discipleship in the midst of many sufferings and challenges and hardships, but in the midst of all those things, joys and blessings as well.