Turn to the Lord with your whole heart and leave behind this wretched world. Then your soul shall find rest. For the kingdom of God is the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit. If you prepare within your heart a fitting dwelling place, Christ will come to you and console you. from The Imitation of Christ
Praise
There is so much sorrow and joy in this praise:
Chris, for whom we had been praying so hard, passed into the arms of the Father peacefully over the weekend. Both she and her husband are at peace, but naturally the children are devastated--please pray for the whole family and for the repose of the soul of Chris.
One of the three Carmelites in New York came through his surgery yesterday with flying colors, please pray for his continued recovery.
Heather recently had some extremely effective treatment for some autism-related disorders. Christine reports that she is about two hundred percent better and the effects are expected to increase over the next year.
Requests
Please continue to pray for Dylan
For the repose of the soul of Roberta Meiers, T.O. Carm, who passed away suddenly on Monday night. It was a shock to all of us.
For my brother's mother-in-law, who was in the hospital yesterday with a very dire prognosis. May the Lord hold her and her family in His healing hands.
For the family of Chris, that they might know love, comfort, and the joy of His presence in their lives through these very sad times.
For one who desperately needs to learn humility, meekness, and charitableness.
For three New York Carmelites who have serious health problems, two of whom face very serious operations, may the Lord guide the doctors' and surgeons' hands and bless with the blessing of great peace those who face the treatments.
For a young lady of e-mail acquaintance who is in a great trial, fighting for her life against the weight of dread and despair, that God who is infinitely good will show her goodness of life
For Katherine's two friends as they each struggle with a different difficulty related to their respective pregnancies. Especially for S. as she spends the next ten weeks in the hospital, separated from her family seeking to preserve the life and health of the infant she presently carries.
For Mary H as her daughter enters the process of discerning a vocation
For Christine as she discerns the proper path to take in setting up a community
For Franklin's father and family as they struggle with the present circumstances
For Kris in Galesburg IL. who a year ago was diagnosed with cancer; now she faces treatment for a cancer that has spread. The local group is invoking the Blessed Gianna Beretta Mola.
A special request from two gentleman battling particularly troublesome and besetting sins for grace and help as they continue forward.
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 my isolate Carmelite Brother and Sister in NY (Mr. and Mrs. O) one of whom is battling cancer, the other who has Parkinson's and has recently broken a bone, may God be with them in their trials and in their healing
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, 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: From Davey's Mom: I am with child once again and could use prayers for a healthy pregnancy. For Suki, for a healthy pregancy and a safe delivery. For JCecil3 and Wife. For Pansy Moss. For Mts. 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.
A very important request from a St. Blogs parishioner--"I found out recently that my friend's sister is pregnant for the fourth time. Her other three children have autism, and I know it would make her very, very happy to have a normal child." Please pray for this poor woman that she might have the joy of a healthy pregnancy and a happy, healthy delivery and new infant. 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.
To add to the praise list: We were able to hear the baby's heartbeat yesterday and all signs are of health. Praise God! I had a number of concerns about this pregnancy.