[from Yesterday's Office of Readings]
The first stage of contemplation,my dear brothers, is constantly to consider what God wants, what is pleasing to him, and what is acceptable in his eyes. We all offend in many things; our strength cannot match the rectitude of God's will, being neither one with it nor wholly in accord with it; let us then humble ourselves under the powerful hand of the most high God and be concerned to show ourselves unworthy before his merciful gaze. . . from a Sermon--St. Bernard
Praise
Frances is gone and the damage done is not so fearful as might have been. Pray hard to keep Ivan at bay and far from all human habitation. As much as Frances may hurt us, the Bahamas were far more battered and bruised. So too with any hurricane--what scares and frightens us for a while means life and death for many hundreds living in shelters less secure than our own.
Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray for Dylan until he returns to us.
Please pray that Ivan, whose course is yet quite uncertain misses everything it possibly can miss and is sent harmlessly into the Atlantic to spin away and die.
Please pray that I might find a roofer quickly, who will repair my house correctly the first time.
A quick sale and an easy move for Tom and his family as they set out on another exciting adventure in life.
Pour out prayers on the people of Florida who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives in this storm.
For the continued recovery of Katherine's mother.
For a deeper understanding of and commitment to the strengthening grace of the sacrament of marriage, especially for those who are presently undergoing trials.
Please storm heaven for my friends in Louisiana, they've had a long string of misfortune and could do with some good news.
For a dear friend who is undergoing a troubling period in her life, beset with a number of problems, physical, financial, emotional. May God hold her close to His heart.
For a St. Blog's parishioner in need of work to forestall financial catastrophe, that the Lord provide all that is needed in both material and spiritual blessings.
For those struggling against self to attain holiness, that the Good Lord will raise up new Saints for our times, visible beacons that draw all people toward Christ.
For the people of the Sudan that they may know peace and security and that they might learn to live together.
A special request from two gentleman battling particularly troublesome and besetting sins for grace and help as they continue forward.
For all those in the process of discerning vocations to the religious life, for guidance, prudence and good counsel
For our children, that they grow up in security, comfort, and the certain knowledge that they are loved and that they be released from any bonds of darkness, fear, anger, or sadness that bind and threaten them
For all those living under the curse of generational sins, that they may have protection and the inheritance of the past may be made void in their lives.
For all who are suffering from marital problems, most particularly those in our own families or communities, that the Lord may intervene and remind them that a marriage is of three persons.
For mothers and families that struggle with autism and autistic-related disabilities: particularly for M'Lynn, Melissa, Christine, and Betty.
For families that desire more children
For the conversion or return of spouses and loved ones to the Catholic Church, most particularly for Amanda's husband
For the men and women of the American Armed forces in Iraq and Afghanistan and for their families, may the Good Lord provide sustenance, support, compassion, and love that these separated families might continue to grow in strength and love.
Special Prayer Projects:
(1) For Katherine and Franklin, Gordon and Christine, Peter Kucera, and for all who are seeking employment and suffering through difficult times as they wait.
(2)Healthy Pregnancies and good and safe deliveries: For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. For Mrs. White and child. For Katherine and her friend Corren. Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us. Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us. St. Gerard Majella, pray for us. Blessed Gianna, pray for us.
Your prayers for my mother are very welcome. She is still recovering from her surgery. They will continue to monitor her for cancer as they have learned that this last one was metasthesised from the lung cancer and may have other locations. My parents will drive from the Midwest back to their home in NV next week.
Thank you again.
Please pray for a spiritual awakening. Mom doesn't seem to understand God or her relationship, etc. She was newly married when Vatican II started and ended up on the periphery with all the changes. She is pretty relativistic, materialistic, and hedonistic. She needs God's love and mercy but doesn't know it.