31
Jul
PRAY FOR ALL PRIESTS. This Thursday, August 4, is the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of Parish Priests: Saint John Mary Vianney. During the 2009 Year for Priests, I offered a number of reflections on the simple curate also known as The Cure of Ars. This year I will reflect on the orations for Votive Masses offered for Priests and their ministry. For now, perhaps more than ever, we need your prayerful support!
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Collect – For the Church #6: For Priests O God, who made your Only Begotten Son |
MINISTERS & STEWARDS OF MYSTERIES. I do admit that some, if not much, of what I do as Pastor need not be done by an Ordained Priest. I must also admit that being ‘hands-on’ with the Parish’s administrative, catechetical, social, and even maintenance issues helps keep my homilies, articles and mindset firmly rooted in ‘real life.’ However, I am most truly an Ordained Priest when I celebrate Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, and other sacred rites. And as I carry out these sacred duties, I also strive to make sure that I – and all who work with me, especially Deacons and Lay Ministers – are properly trained, updated, and faithful to the latest policies and guidelines, rubrics and rules, alterations and changes made by the Universal Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and our local Ordinary or Diocesan Bishop. All this requires – even demands – your support and prayers, trust and understanding, and patience! So, pray this Collect often, for me and all Pastors!
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Prayer over the Offerings – For the Church #6: For Priests O God, who have willed that your Priests |
PRIESTLY SERVANTS AT YOUR HOLY ALTARS. A Priest’s primary duty is to offer God the ultimate Sacrifice at Holy Mass: His Son, Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. And our secondary duty is immediately behind it: we are to lead God’s People to the Lord so that you, too, in and through His Church, can bear good fruit. Which is why one of the most difficult and challenging situations caused by the pandemic [to me at least] was NOT being able to lead the community as it gathers for holy Mass, Sacraments, Funerals and other sacred rites. Many times, I felt like a shepherd … without any sheep!
It is most alarming – and downright frightening to me – that while hordes have returned to scholastic and sporting events, the theater and vacation spots, schools and workplaces – many have yet to end their ‘Covid-based, fear-fed’ absence from church! This is where I desperately need YOUR help, for many have gotten into bad habits – like not participating in services, enrolling in events for adults or kids, or getting back into holy routines – and you know who they are! PLEASE invite them back to their church home! Let them know that we MISS them – and NEED them!
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Prayer after Communion – For the Church #6: For Priests May the divine sacrifice we have offered |
WE AMUST ALL GIVE GOD WORTHY SERVICE. When we come to the same Table – the Altar of the Lord – to be fed, we all receive Jesus, truly present in the Sacrament of His Most Sacred Body and Precious Blood. The love of God poured out in Christ Jesus, which unites us in a special way through Holy Communion, is the tie that solidly binds Priests and People, Ordained and Lay, Saint and Sinner. It should also fuel and direct all of our actions so that – as One Body, the Church – we can BE God’s presence and voice, God’s compassion and peace, God’s hope and joy as we put our Faith and the Eucharist we receive into ACTION. So, pray for your Priests as we pray for you!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS
PRAY FOR ALL PRIESTS. This Thursday, August 4, is the Feast Day of the Patron Saint of Parish Priests: Saint John Mary Vianney. During the 2009 Year for Priests, I offered a number of reflections on the simple curate also known as The Cure of Ars. This year I will reflect on the orations for Votive Masses offered for Priests and their ministry. For now, perhaps more than ever, we need your prayerful support!
|
Collect – For the Church #6: For Priests O God, who made your Only Begotten Son |
MINISTERS & STEWARDS OF MYSTERIES. I do admit that some, if not much, of what I do as Pastor need not be done by an Ordained Priest. I must also admit that being ‘hands-on’ with the Parish’s administrative, catechetical, social, and even maintenance issues helps keep my homilies, articles and mindset firmly rooted in ‘real life.’ However, I am most truly an Ordained Priest when I celebrate Sacraments, especially the Most Holy Eucharist, and other sacred rites. And as I carry out these sacred duties, I also strive to make sure that I – and all who work with me, especially Deacons and Lay Ministers – are properly trained, updated, and faithful to the latest policies and guidelines, rubrics and rules, alterations and changes made by the Universal Church, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and our local Ordinary or Diocesan Bishop. All this requires – even demands – your support and prayers, trust and understanding, and patience! So, pray this Collect often, for me and all Pastors!
|
Prayer over the Offerings – For the Church #6: For Priests O God, who have willed that your Priests |
PRIESTLY SERVANTS AT YOUR HOLY ALTARS. A Priest’s primary duty is to offer God the ultimate Sacrifice at Holy Mass: His Son, Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist. And our secondary duty is immediately behind it: we are to lead God’s People to the Lord so that you, too, in and through His Church, can bear good fruit. Which is why one of the most difficult and challenging situations caused by the pandemic [to me at least] was NOT being able to lead the community as it gathers for holy Mass, Sacraments, Funerals and other sacred rites. Many times, I felt like a shepherd … without any sheep!
It is most alarming – and downright frightening to me – that while hordes have returned to scholastic and sporting events, the theater and vacation spots, schools and workplaces – many have yet to end their ‘Covid-based, fear-fed’ absence from church! This is where I desperately need YOUR help, for many have gotten into bad habits – like not participating in services, enrolling in events for adults or kids, or getting back into holy routines – and you know who they are! PLEASE invite them back to their church home! Let them know that we MISS them – and NEED them!
|
Prayer after Communion – For the Church #6: For Priests May the divine sacrifice we have offered |
WE AMUST ALL GIVE GOD WORTHY SERVICE. When we come to the same Table – the Altar of the Lord – to be fed, we all receive Jesus, truly present in the Sacrament of His Most Sacred Body and Precious Blood. The love of God poured out in Christ Jesus, which unites us in a special way through Holy Communion, is the tie that solidly binds Priests and People, Ordained and Lay, Saint and Sinner. It should also fuel and direct all of our actions so that – as One Body, the Church – we can BE God’s presence and voice, God’s compassion and peace, God’s hope and joy as we put our Faith and the Eucharist we receive into ACTION. So, pray for your Priests as we pray for you!
With God’s love and my prayers,
Very Rev. Michael J. Kreder, VF, KCHS