Holy Mass: It is Right and Just - Homily for September 10

Readings for Sunday, September 10 / 23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time: Ezekiel 33:7-9  |  Psalm 95  |  Romans 13:8-10  |  Matthew 18:15-20

This week the Lord reminds us that gathering to pray in community is powerful. We are not Christians who content ourselves with a 'Me & Jesus' approach to the faith. Rather, we are members of the Body of Christ and when we gather together the Lord fills us with His grace and then sends us out to do the same for others. 

Papal Intention for January 2017

Papal Intention for January 2017

That all Christians may be faithful to the Lord’s teaching by striving with prayer and fraternal charity to restore ecclesial communion and by collaborating to meet the challenges facing humanity.

Prayer for the Pope

V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, give him life, 

and make him blessed upon the earth, 

and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. 

Through Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

Papal Intentions for January 2016

Prayer for the Pope

V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, give him life, 

and make him blessed upon the earth, 

and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. 

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Papal Intentions for January 2016

Universal Intention: That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice.

Mission Intention: That by means of dialogue and fraternal charity and with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions.

HWP: Christian Unity

Today in the Ordinary Form (and tomorrow in the Extraordinary Form) we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury, often referred to as the Apostle of England. He was sent by Pope St. Gregory the Great to evangelize the nation and was highly successful, particularly on account of the fact that he wasn't martyred by the people as is often the case with first preachers of the faith. To honor him today, please join me in praying...

A Prayer for Christian Unity

Holy Father, You have given us in St. Augustine of Canterbury, a great witness of Christian faith, grant through his intercession a renewed Christian unity among people of all Christian communities and in a particular way bless the relationship between the Anglican Church and Roman Catholic Church. Grant this through our one Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

HWP: Ut unum sint

Today is the feast of St. Josaphat, bishop and martyr. He was a man of great faith and fortitude and felt called by God to work to heal the wounds of division between the eastern and western churches. This noble work was so effective that he became known as the 'thief of souls' and soon found himself target by enemies of unity, ultimately leading to his martyrdom. Centuries later the division still exists and we need prayer more now than ever to heal that division and so make ourselves a better witness to the world around us. With that in mind we pray...

A Prayer for Christian Unity

Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto Thine Apostles: Peace I leave you, My peace I give to you; regard not our sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which are agreeable to Thy Will; Who livest and reignest ever, one God, world without end. Amen.