Pastors Notes from December 04, 2023
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December 4, 2023Next weekend St. Malachy Church celebrates their 100th Anniversary as a parish and community of Catholic faith. Though changes have occurred through the years including the building of the present church and hall in the eighties, faces of those who have died and faces of those new to our church, changes in the prayers within the Mass, activities that have ceased and new ones gathering parishioners together, and the sounds of the infants and children in church that provides a passage of faith. Over the many years and various changes, culturally and spiritually, the Eucharist remains as it always has been and will always be: the real presence of Christ Jesus, our shepherd and source of healing and hope. St. Malachy church has been blessed with young and old faces throughout the many years, allowing the Eucharist to be a gathering of hope, peace, and gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed. Next Sunday following the 8:30am Mass there is a gathering in our parish hall for all who share in the Eucharist at St. Malachy, commemorating the beginning of our parish and the ongoing mission of sharing our Catholic-Christian faith inspired by the Eucharist.
Just three weeks until Christmas, with activities, programs, sporting events, shopping and responsibilities to keep us busy; yet, it is a season all to itself however brief, when we anticipate, pause, prepare spiritually for the coming of Christ. As Pope Francis reminds us: “Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.” In the same vein, our first reading from the prophet Isaiah encourages us, “You are our Father; we are the clay and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands. Following is a daily prayer with an intention for each day of Advent beginning this Sunday, the 3rd.
Lord God, only you can see into my heart and know that under all the busy-ness of my life there is a deep longing to make this Advent one that welcomes you more deeply into my own life. My heart desires the warmth of your love and my mind searches for your Light in the midst of the darkness. Help me be a peacemaker this Advent and to give special love to those who disagree with me. Give me the courage to listen to your voice and the freedom to open my heart to the graces you are offering me in the “God moments” of this Advent season. Amen.
Dec. 3rd: For Pope Francis and Bishop Nickless ~ Dec. 4th: For the protection of innocent men, women & children in Ukraine ~ Dec. 5th: For those who have no place to go and no food to eat ~ Dec. 6th: For those grieving the death of a loved one in our parish community ~ Dec. 7th: For those who are preparing for their 1st Holy Communion in our parish ~ Dec. 8th: For our men and women serving overseas ~ Dec. 9th: Write a note/letter to a friend/relative and offer up a prayer for that person ~ Dec. 10th: For two persons who have caused you hurt/anger & participate in the parish reconciliation service ~ Dec. 11th: For our president and elected officials, setting aside division ~ Dec. 12th: For mothers struggling in their pregnancy ~ Dec. 13th: For our Law enforcement officers, fire fighters ~ Dec. 14th: For the hope/rehabilitation of those imprisoned ~ Dec. 15th: For those in our parish/family/friendships facing life threatening illness ~ Dec. 16th: Write a note/letter to a friend/relative and offer up a prayer for that person ~ Dec. 17th: For those in our care centers or homebound within our parish who cannot share in our Sunday Eucharist ~ Dec. 18th: For those struggling with depression or mental illnesses ~ Dec. 19th: For those in our parish preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation ~ Dec. 20th: For the doctors/nurses/paramedics/CNA’s who care for others ~ Dec, 21st: For those who keep our city streets and highways safe this winter season ~ Dec. 22nd: For our seminarians and those called to ordained ministry and religious life ~ Dec. 23rd: Write a note/letter to a friend/relative and offer up a prayer for that person ~ Dec. 24th: For peace in the Holy Land and protection of innocent lives ~ And the following daily prayer for the week of Christmas: Lord God, may I be filled with the wonder of Mary, the obedience of Joseph, the joy of the angels, the eagerness of the shepherds, the determination of the magi, and hopefully, the peace of the Christ child. Dec. 25th: For those who are forgotten, alone, with no family this Christmas ~ Dec. 26th thru the 31st: “Pass it Forward” of a blessing/Act of Kindness to another.
God Bless, Fr. Tim
FYI: At this Christmas when Christ comes, will He find a warm heart? Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God's own love and concern." (Mother Teresa)
