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Have you ever heard of P.O.P (Prayers of Patience)? Okay, I really just made it up, but, if there is one thing the world needs, it is this! When we become impatient for any reason, we have some choices to make. Unfortunately, when most people get impatient, we just…get impatient or angry and rarely think about choices! Recently, I was waiting in line the grocery store. I was in a hurry but the cashier was not. She spent some time conversing with another cashier about a party they both had attended. I found myself getting agitated and almost did the big sigh (you know which one!), and then, I realized, Lent is coming! (Ash Wednesday is this coming Wednesday!) I started praying for patience, but then I felt God revealing something else. I could also pray for the cashier! I prayed for a healthy social life, for all of her relationships, and for her work ethic! We can either get caught up in our own impatience like many people do, or we can make it something of a prayer. If we are waiting for the restaurant to serve us and it is taking a long time, we can pray for all of those in the service industry and all of those who look for food from day to day. If we are distracted or impatient by kids in church, we can pray for their parents, for all single parents and for the faith of little children. If we are uptight about our own failures and weaknesses, we can pray that God gives us strength. We can use the distractions and frustrations in our life to pray and to maybe gain a different perspective into the incredible love and peace of Jesus. I’LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!

The month of February has been primarily associated with the Holy Family, probably due to the feast of Our Lord's presentation at the temple, celebrated on February 2. So I offer this prayer for you and your family: Grant to us, Lord Jesus, to always follow the example of the holy Family, that in the hour of our death your Virgin Mother together with blessed Joseph may come to meet us and we may be received by You into everlasting dwellings: who lives and reigns world without end. Amen. Share in God’s love for our neighbors in need and give generously this weekendSouper Bowl Sunday February 11-12. There will be speakers at all masses plus two large pots (with names of Super Bowl teams) so you can vote for your favorite team by donating to either pot! All of the donations collected will go directly to our Tackle Hunger Charity: St VINCENT DE PAUL, SARAH’S HOUSE, and HOPE HOUSE

Have you ever been asked to maybe go out of your comfort zone and try something new? I remember a certain prayer service where the leader had us participants ‘look intently’ at our hands! As we studied them, we were supposed to reflect on those times we brought help and healing to others using our hands. We were also supposed to think about times when we had caused pain or destruction using the same hands. While these are very good questions, I remember that I just couldn’t concentrate, so I started looking carefully at the lifelines and scars and veins and calluses. I thought about two particular fights that knives and I had (not people, but knives…the knives won!). I thought about calluses from work camps in WV PA, and MD and building homes for people who are poor over the past 35 summers. I saw lifelines that some say point to fame and fortune and time of death (?) And I saw the ring on my left hand that reminds me of a most important commitment I made over 34 years ago. You see, the prayer activity really did allow me to focus and pray about my own particular hands and the stories behind their uniqueness. Sometimes going out of our comfort zone can make us aware of things we would not have normally thought about. In this New Year, take a few steps out there and see what Jesus might be telling you. And while you’re at it, take a look at your hands and see what good they can do for others. I”LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!

I got lost recently while hiking. No one was there when I decided to ‘take a shortcut’ and instead of going totally around the large hill, I chose to ‘cut my time’ by going straight up.  Needless to say, I was not where I felt I needed to be!  But, then I found the reflection below by Sudha Khristmukti called “Along The Way” (Alive Now) and realized that it is appropriate not only for my hiking experience but for this New Year!   Sometimes it is becoming lost that I am truly found. In the hour of darkness that I see God’s light; in being helpless that I seek God’s strength, a strength far greater than mine.   In reaching a dangerous precipice that I discover important truths.  In losing that I really win. In searching that I really find.  In the face of rejection, humiliation, pain, and unspeakable grief, thatI find the true measure of God’s unconditional love and the blessing of God’s peace….When I finally dare to take that step of trust, and let God into my heart; into all the wounded places the world cannot see.  When I dare to take refuge in the shelter of God’s care when I dare to prepare God's room.  To live the journey of the faith that I profess. HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I’LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!  

I really believe that each of us walk around like icebergs, with the greatest and deepest parts of ourselves under the surface, not seen by most others. We are God’s own children and we should treat each other with much more respect and dignity…especially during this time of waiting for the Savior! Heavenly Father, help us to remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry and spend a few precious moments with her children. Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man who can’t make change correctly is a worried 19 year old college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester. Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the same spot every day is a slave to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares. Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow through the store aisles and blocking our Christmas shopping progress are savoring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back this week, this will be the last year they go shopping together. Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you have given us, the greatest gift is love. Open our hearts no to just those who are close to us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive, show patience, empathy and love. I’LL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!

I have some back problems every once in a while and physical therapy usually helps quite a bit.  But, it is painful, and, one time, I was especially aware of the pain.  I don’t know if you are like me, but, when I am suffering, my whole focus can be geared to that pain.  It seems to take up a lot of my energy and I am constantly trying to find ways to deal with the pain…   Anyway…It is not natural to thank God for pain and trials.  In fact, some might think it pretty strange!  (Even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane did not thank God but really wanted it to be taken away, praying ‘if it is your will, let this cup be taken away.’)  And yet, I can thank God, even in the difficult times and tremendous struggles of life!  Not only does it help me to re-focus away from the pain and towards the Healer of all pain, but it also allows me to center on the many other blessings in my life, whether my health is in good shape or not so good shape.  I can also remember those people who are in chronic pain, those who have lost a loved one or been ravaged by war, disease, poverty, or natural disaster, and those who find it hard to thank God for their blessings.  I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!  

You can tell how patient a person is by their waiting.  We are busy people, so it is amazing for some of us that we sometimes have to wait.  We wait in lines at the grocery store, we wait in traffic jams (even when there is no construction or accident), we wait online for downloads and email responses, we wait for our food to get served, we wait to get into the Ravens stadium (!), we wait and wait and wait…   Some people don’t wait well.  They think of everything else that has to be accomplished after this wait is finally over or they get frustrated with how long or how pointless the waiting is.  Other people, however, put us to shame by seeming at peace and even happy in the waiting game!  Ah yes, there are choices we can make in our waiting.   Advent is all about waiting, but, not just waiting.  It is the choices we make in how we prepare and how we wait that make all the difference in the world.  Is this going to be just another Advent as we wait for the big Holiday or can this time of waiting really prepare us to see the Messiah in a whole new way?  I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU!!  

Every couple wants to have a great marriage—and we’re dedicated to helping you get there. Whether you are newlyweds or have been together for decades, you might be surprised what you learn about each other! We offer key topics every couple should discuss on a regular basis.

1. The COVID-19 “Delta Variant” has been ramping up in several areas of the nation. 2. Many people remain unvaccinated, and interest in the vaccine has waned since the initial push.