Prayer of Abandonment by Fr. Bill Casey

This prayer contains some phraseology drawn from the writings of St. Therese of Lisieux: her “Way of Spiritual Childhood” and from the diary of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska entitled, “The Divine Mercy in My Soul.”

“Jesus, I Love you…. Jesus, I trust in you….

Lord, teach me not only to accept, but to truly love my littleness and my inner poverty, and to place blind trust in your infinite goodness and mercy, that I may be entirely dependant upon your protective, fatherly care and experience the transforming power of your grace in my life…

My Lord and Savior, I know that you love me more than I can ever imagine, and that you have a plan for my life that will end in eternal glory if I but surrender my heart and soul to you, entrust myself completely to you, and allow you to lead me always, especially through the darkest hours of my life….

My loving Jesus, let the fire of your Holy Spirit purify my soul, my senses, and my entire being to remove from my life anything that might stand as an obstacle to my ability to enkindle that flame of pure love – the love that you desire to receive from me….

Lord, teach me to be not only resigned to your holy will, but to always seek your will, embrace your will, and truly, lovingly abandon myself to it, with joyful confidence that you desire my happiness far more than I do my own. Let my faith response be to give thanks and praise to you always, even when you will that I bear the cross of suffering. With the holy and immaculate Virgin Mary, let me say “yes” to your divine plan for my life, knowing that great things happen when we say “yes” to you….

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, let me love you with all my soul and all my strength. Grant me the grace to adore you with every beat of my heart and with every fiber of my being, that I may love you with the same passionate intensity with which you have loved me….

My Lord and my God … .
I am the stone …You be the sculptor
I am the clay ……… You be the potter
I am the instrument ….You be the composer and the musician
I am the canvas …. You be the painter …the Master Artist of my life .. .
Jesus, show me what you want me to do…. Jesus, I trust in you.” ... See MoreSee Less

5 days ago

Sixth Sunday of Easter: Another Advocate to be with you always.

Do the days and weeks feel like they are flying by? Coming up in a few days, May 17 – the sixth Sunday of Easter. Soon it will be Pentecost – some 50 days after Easter. Soon the “dog-days” of summer will encompass our weather. And hopefully, soon, we will be back together in Church. I’ve been thinking a lot about Confirmation and how our young people will have to postpone the Rite for a period of time. I am sure many are feeling bewildered during this time. I’m sure many if not all want to get back to normal, and perhaps continue their formation to be Confirmed soon. I do not doubt all of us might feel abandoned and longing for the true presence of Christ and the grace of the Holy Spirit during Mass. If I might share this reflection.
Last Sunday we heard how Stephen and six others were chosen to do the work at table to help serve those less fortunate. Today, in Acts we hear how Philip, one of those seven early deacons, went to Samaria to preach about Christ. There he was well received and cured many people and he promptly baptized them in the name of Jesus. Yet, there was something missing. So, when Peter and John heard about the people of Samaria being baptized, they went to them. They prayed and laid hands on the people and they received the Holy Spirit. Dr. Scott Hahn notes this as a primitive Confirmation rite and the beginning of our Sacrament of Confirmation.
How true we can see Peter and John, the Apostles and our first bishops, laying their hands on the neophytes. How true we can see the origin of Confirmation and the conferring of the Holy Spirit. Early in the Church our first leaders knew and understood what it meant to be a follower of Christ. They knew once baptized we needed the gift of the Holy Spirit to seal the promise that Christ gave his disciples that Easter Sunday night.
John’s Gospel completes the narrative for this weekend in which Jesus explains that the Holy Spirit will remain with us forever. Jesus did not abandon his disciples and he will not leave us as orphans, either. Although lately we may feel like orphans – not being together in liturgy to pray for our Confirmandi as we watch hands being laid; we may feel the days rushing past us and not seeing the hope the Easter season brings. Yet, as Peter and John prayed for those in Samaria, we can continue to pray for our young people preparing for Confirmation, knowing our hope is not in vain despite our separation because we believe Jesus’ words, “on that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me and I in you.” Amen.
Jim Wood, PD (possible deacon) Office of Catechesis Archdiocese of Indianapolis ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

On November 30, 1980, Pope St. John Paul II issued a papal encyclical Dives in misericordia (Rich in Mercy) declaring that "Jesus Christ taught that man not only receives and experiences the mercy of God, but that he is also called to practice mercy towards others."

On April 11, 2015, Pope Francis issued a papal bull, Misericordiae Vultus (The Face of Mercy) whose opening words proclaim: “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy. These words might well sum up the mystery of the Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination in him.”

The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions we can perform that extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all others, as if they were Christ in disguise. They "are charitable actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs" (U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults). They respond to the basic needs of humanity as we journey together through this life.

The Corporal Works of Mercy include:
To feed the hungry.
To give water to the thirsty.
To clothe the naked.
To shelter the homeless.
To visit the sick.
To visit the imprisoned, or ransom the captive.
To bury the dead.
The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and spiritual writers throughout history. Just as Jesus attended to the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiritual Works of Mercy guide us to "help our neighbor in their spiritual needs" (U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults).

The Spiritual Works of Mercy include:
To instruct the ignorant.
To counsel the doubtful.
To admonish the sinners.
To bear patiently those who wrong us.
To forgive offenses.
To comfort the afflicted.
To pray for the living and the dead. ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

We can't do this alone

If the past few months have taught us anything, it is surely that we are not the independent, self-sufficient people we sometimes think we are. We need each other, and we need God, to survive and flourish as individuals, families and communities.

When it first became apparent that the deadly coronavirus pandemic threatened millions of people throughout the world, Pope Francis immediately turned to Mary, Health of the Sick. He implored her to intercede for us and to help all who suffer from this modern-day plague find comfort and hope in the healing power of her Son, Jesus.

Mary is a great source of strength, encouragement and hope in times of trial. Because she is our mother, she cares deeply for us and she wants what is best for us always. Let’s ask her to comfort the sick and the dying, and to share her courage with healthcare providers and all who are risking their own lives to serve the needs of others. Let’s turn to Mary when we are frightened or lonely. She will stay close to us and calm our fears. Above all, when we feel confused or lost on life’s journey, Mary can show us the way to her Son, Jesus.

There’s no way we can successfully deal with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic all by ourselves. Thank God we can rely on our Blessed Mother Mary, and all the saints, to inspire us and guide us as we navigate the troubled waters of this very strange time.

Archbishop Charles Thompson ... See MoreSee Less

2 weeks ago

For all mothers:
That they may be supported and encouraged in their special vocation of love;

For all mothers awaiting the birth of their children:
That the Lord protect them and bring their babies to safe delivery;

That all might treasure and support God’s plan for life and love;

For all married couples struggling to have a child:
That the Lord grant them peace as they hope for the gift of a son or a daughter;

For all mothers:
That their children will honor their many sacrifices by lives of service and virtue;

For all those longing to welcome a child through adoption:
May the Lord guide their journey to parenthood and grant them peace along the way;

For mothers facing unexpected pregnancies:
That they may find strength and courage in the example of our Blessed Mother;

For mothers who mourn the loss of a child:
That they may find peace and consolation in the hope of eternal life;
We pray to the Lord: ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago