Prayers of the the faithful - 25 May 2025 - 6th Sunday of Easter - prison ministry

Priest: Penitential Rite: 

Lord Jesus, you open the way to eternal life:  Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you release us from the power of sin and death, Christ have mercy.  

Lord Jesus, you sent us the Holy Spirit to be our advocate: Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of the Faithful

Priest: We now bring our prayers for our needs and the needs of the world to our merciful Father, led by the Holy Spirit of truth and justice: 

1. That we in the holy Church may live in the light of the risen Christ and show the world the Father’s love and compassion. We pray to the Lord.

2. For peace in the world, for an end to violence and destruction. We pray that all of us may be instruments of God’s peace. We pray for peace here amongst the men and women of CMCF. We pray to the Lord. 

3. For governmental leaders, that they may govern their people with wisdom and justice. We pray to the Lord.

4. For all those newly baptized this Easter season. For those who entered the Church and who received the sacrament of first holy communion.That they may feel the Holy Spirit with them and share God’s love with others. We pray to the Lord.

5. For all of our children and youth. We pray that God will continue to accompany them on their journey, especially during their summer travel and activities.  We pray to the Lord.  

6. As we commemorate Memorial Day, we pray for those who gave up their lives serving our country in the military. We pray for all our veterans here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord. 

7. For the sick and afflicted. For healing in our lives. We pray to the Lord. 

8. For those who have died. We pray to the Lord. 

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

Priest: Heavenly Father, we rejoice in the presence of your risen Son and we humbly ask you to listen our prayers today and to answer them in his name, for his is our Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Bulletin Reflection - 25 May 2025 - 6th Sunday of Easter

I am glad to be back in Mississippi after my three weeks on the Camino. I am back as we continue our joyful celebration of the Easter season and as we get ready for our celebrations of the Ascension and Pentecost. The Easter season is such a meaningful time for us in the Catholic faith, as we have the opportunity to reflect upon the meaning of the risen Christ in our lives. With the end of the school year and with graduations, we celebrate different milestones in our lives at this time of the year as well. Also, since this is Memorial Day weekend as well, it is important to give thanks for the men and women who have served in the military our country and who have given their lives in that service. May you all have a wonderful start to the summer. Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln. 

Prayers of the faithful - 18 May 2025 - 5th Sunday of Easter - prison ministry

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus, you call us to God’s love: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you call us to a life of discipleship: Christ, have mercy.

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

Priest: God has made us a chosen people, a royal priesthood who has been set apart. We now pray for those in need:

1. For the holy Church, as we seek to follow Christ, that we may show the whole world the way to the Father. We pray to the Lord.

2. We pray that our national and world leaders choose the path of peace over the ways of violence and conflict. We pray for those communities and countries divided by violence and war. We pray for peace amongst the men and women here at CMCF. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all deacons, whose ministry of service dates back to the early days of the Church, for all transitional and permanent deacons in our diocese. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those whose hearts are troubled, who have lost their way and who are in need of guidance and support. We pray that they might find what they need in our community of faith. We pray to the Lord.

5. For the sick and shut-ins of our community. We pray for healing for them in body, mind, and spirit. We pray for all who struggle with mental health issues, addictions, anxiety, and depression. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the repose of the souls of 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: God of love and mercy, your son Jesus Christ shows us the way to you. Teach us to follow him more closely. Hear these our prayers that we make in his name, for he is our risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayers of the faithful - 18 May 2025 - 5th Sunday of Easter

Introduction - As we continue our journey through the Easter season, Jesus gives us a new commandment in our Gospel today: to love one another. Let us give thanks for the opportunity to live as the Body of Christ here in our parish community. May God continue to bless us as individuals and as a community of faith and may he continue to grant us his grace that helps us meet our challenges in life.

Priest - Penitential Rite

Lord Jesus, you call us to God’s love: Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you call us to a life of discipleship: Christ, have mercy.

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

Priest: God has made us a chosen people, a royal priesthood who has been set apart. We now pray for those in need:

1. For the holy Church, as we seek to follow Christ, that we may show the whole world the way to the Father. We pray to the Lord.

2. We pray that our national and world leaders choose the path of peace over the ways of violence and conflict. We pray for those communities and countries divided by violence and war. We pray to the Lord.

3. For all deacons, whose ministry of service dates back to the early days of the Church, for all transitional and permanent deacons in our diocese. We continue to pray for Hunter Yentzen and Chris Halliwell as they continue their diaconate formation program. We pray to the Lord.

4. For those whose hearts are troubled, who have lost their way and who are in need of guidance and support, that they might find what they need in our community of faith. We pray to the Lord.

5. For the sick and shut-ins of our community. We pray for healing in body, mind, and spirit. We pray to the Lord.

6. For the repose of the souls of 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: God of love and mercy, your son Jesus Christ shows us the way to you. Teach us to follow him more closely. Hear these our prayers that we make in his name, for he is our risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Bulletin Reflection - 18 May 2025 - 5th Sunday of Easter

As you read this bulletin reflection, I am still over in Spain on the Camino. One of the things I really love about the Camino is the history of this pilgrimage, which started in the early 9th century with the rediscovery of the tomb of St James the Apostle. At the time, Muslims were in control of much of the country of Spain, having invaded that country in 711 and not completely expelled from the country until 1492. In our Catholic faith we have a lot of old traditions that continue in our modern world. May is traditionally recognized as the month of Mary. Mary is an important part of our lives as Catholics. May we continue to honor and celebrate Mary in a special way during the month of May. Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln. 

Bulletin Reflection - 4th Sunday in the Easter Season - 11 May 2025

I love the image of Jesus the Good Shepherd. It is an image that speaks to us in the context of our faith, no matter our age. I think of Jesus the Good Shepherd who is always looking for the lost sheep. As you are reading this bulletin reflection, I am out on the pilgrimage route of St James in northern Spain. I always love seeing the shepherds and their sheep dogs guiding their flocks of sheep in the rural areas of Spain. We pray that Jesus the Good Shepherd continue to lead us and guide us on our journey. We continue to pray for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, for the many ways he led us as shepherd and for the love and mercy he showed the world. We also wish all of our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers a blessed Mother’s Day this weekend. Blessings to all of you - Father Lincoln. 

Prayers of the faithful - 4th Sunday in the Easter Season - 11 May 2025

Introduction: Our Easter celebration continues today on “Good Shepherd Sunday,” the fourth Sunday of Easter. Today is a good day to reflect upon and be thankful for all the people who have been good shepherds in our faith life. Let us pray for all pastors, priests, and lay leaders, as well as for vocations for the future of our Church. 

Priest - Penitential Rite - 

Lord Jesus, your flock hears your voice— Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the the Good Shepherd— Christ, have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you are the way to union with the Father: Lord, have mercy. 

PRIEST: As we return to the shepherd and guardian of our souls, let us now pray for our needs and the needs of all.


1. For our Church leaders, both ordained leaders and lay leaders, as they strive to follow Christ the Good Shepherd and encourage us to do the same. We pray to the Lord. 

2. For all governmental leaders in our country and in the world, that they might follow the example of the Good Shepherd in caring for the needs of those who are entrusted in their care. We pray to the Lord.

3. For vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, consecrated religious life, and lay ministry. We pray to the Lord. 


4. For the lost and wounded sheep of our flock, that they may know the love and care of the Good Shepherd through our efforts. We pray to the Lord. 

5. We pray for all of our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers, giving thanks for them and wishing them a blessed Mother’s Day. We pray to the Lord. 

6. For the sick and afflicted of our parish community. For those in the hospice, hospital, and nursing home. For healing and wholeness. We pray to the Lord.


7. For the the repose of the souls of the faithful departed. For their entry into eternal life. We pray to the Lord.


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

Priest: Merciful God, your care for us knows no bounds. Lead us with your love, and graciously hear these our prayers that we make through your son Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd and Risen Lord for ever and ever. Amen.