Mission and Values

List of 5 items.

• Mission Reflection

  The Joy of Our Hope*
  by Sr. Helen Jean Novy, HM
  
  We have perhaps read inspiring, mood-lifting, even life-encouraging reflections about hope in times of struggle, agony, and anguish. It is Easter that gives us profound hope in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection. Now we are called to move into the Easter season’s joy.
  
  What is the relationship of joy and hope?
  What is the relationship of joy and hope and the month of May?
  
  

  There are many feasts in the May liturgical calendar that can be an occasion of transporting us to joy.
  
  

  On May 1, we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph, model of fidelity. Each of us treasures the fidelity of a friend or spouse or generous relative or inspiring teacher or dedicated religious.  What a great gift: to be able to count on someone through thick and thin. And what a call: to be a person of fidelity, faithfulness, and joyful witness to the good news of the gospel.
  
  

  On May 16 this year, we celebrate the Ascension. How can Jesus leaving earthly existence be an occasion of joy? In the Easter season of 40 days there are scripture readings about Jesus’ appearances after the resurrection, all startling good news: in the upper room, on the road to Emmaus, at the seashore. Even if we are doubters, like Thomas, there is a most encouraging experience of Christ to contemplate: Christ with his “glorified” wounds, at once the reminder of the reality of the outpouring of love through the agony on the Cross AND the confirmation of resurrection to new life. We see Christ advising where to cast nets, cooking fish on the shore, ministering, serving, counseling for the spiritual, vocational, and ministerial growth of faithful disciples—and us, too.
  
  We can imagine Mary in these 40 days moved in her entire being with resurrection joy as she draws water at the well—Jesus is with me, as she bakes bread—Jesus is with me, as she gathers in the upper room* for prayer and the breaking of the bread with the other disciples, the early Christians—Jesus is with us.
  
  Perhaps make that a mantra throughout your day, throughout this month: Jesus, you are with me in all moments, in all experiences, in all challenges, in all encounters.
  
  On May 23, we celebrate the feast of Pentecost fulfilling Christ’s promise never to leave us: I will not leave you orphans. How encouraging to receive the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, courage, prayerfulness, awe and wonder. Commune with Spirit-Sophia who will teach you all things.
  
  On May 30, we celebrate the unfathomable mystery of the Triune God. A Doctor of the Church has expressed this Trinitarian concept in searing images:
  
  

  A Brightness—A Flaring Forth—Fire
  
  The mystical insight of St. Hildegard of Bingen.
  
  Knowing the Trinity happens deep inside our hearts in our prayerful openness to God’s revelations from within us. After all, Jesus did not leave this life until he imparted the Spirit who would teach us ALL THINGS!
  
  We encounter the Trinity in all that has flowed forth from Trinitarian actions: the creation of ALL THAT IS. We learn of the Trinity in the wonders of the natural world burgeoning in the springtime of May. If the Creator speaks in the Language of Trees, then contemplating trees and any other created reality should be a source of joy.
  
  

  Read the pages, God is speaking
  Creator speaks in languages of trees
  Hear the singing of divinity
  The flowers sing of beauty.***
  
  “The world IS charged with the grandeur of God.”****
  
  And we surely learn of the Trinitarian life through encounters with other people, other Christs, women and men icons of Christ.
  
  HOPE: our trust in Jesus who has promised never to leave us
  JOY: our communing with the Trinitarian life deep within us
  
  Ultimately, God is our Life, our Sweetness, and our Hope.
  God is the Source of Our Joy.
  
  _______________
  
  *Title of one of the choral pieces in Linda Chase’s Oratorio on Laudato Sí
  **Pope St. John Paul II’s Encyclical “Dominum and Vivificantem” reflects on four scenes in the Upper Room: https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/dominum-et-vivificantem
  ***Linda J. Chase https://soundcloud.com/lchase-1/creator-speaks-in-languages-of-trees
  **** Gerard Manley Hopkins, SJ. Emphasis added.

• Circle of Prayer

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• Daily Prayer

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• Prayers in the Time of COVID

  Cast all your cares, anxieties, and worries
  on the Lord
  because God cares for you.*
  Today, dear Lord,
  I cast all my cares on you.
  Please manifest your care for me.
  Amen.
  *1Peter 5:17

   

  The Lord is with us.
  The Lord is with me.
  My Rock. My Refuge.
  My Shepherd. My Friend.
  I trust in you.
  Amen.

  I can do all things through Christ 
  who strengthens me. 
  Loving Savior, 
  heal my fears and weaknesses.
  Make me strong in body, mind, and spirit.
  Energize me with your grace
  so that I can live this day
  confident in the strength
  of your abiding presence.
  Amen.
  *Phil. 4:13

  Jesus, you promised us
  that our faith can move mountains, 
  that we can do even greater things than you.
  Deepen my faith 
  with the sure and certain hope
  that gives me courage to act.
  Amen.

  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
  Consider singing some familiar hymns
  or reflecting on the words 
  even without the music.
  The rhythm of the words 
  may contribute a soothing effect 
  for the moment or day.
  Lord Jesus,
  I will praise you through hymns.
  Amen.
  (Prompt from M.L.)

  Dearest Risen Lord,
  Constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery
  within us.*
  You know that our lives will have patterns 
  in some form of your death and resurrection, 
  of dying and rising.
  Show us the way through all these experiences.
  Lead us to you through all.
  Amen.
  *Collect for Fifth Sunday of Easter

  Jesus has said “I have chosen you.”
  As we rejoice in this gift, 
  let us follow Jesus 
  by loving even the seemingly 
  ungrateful, unlovable, unforgiving 
  or unforgivable. (Even them?)
  All are Christ’s;
  All are in Christ along with us.
  Jesus, may I love with your gospel love:
  all-welcoming, all-inclusive, all-embracing.
  Amen.

  Experiences of loss in life are inevitable.
  This reality is part of our bond as human beings.
  Yet we retain the freedom and power 
  to express our human spirit in dignity 
  and to lift others with kindness.
  Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
  You were so gentle as to be described as
  careful not to crush even a broken reed.
  Make me an instrument of your gentleness
  and peacefulness.
  May I be your compassion.
  Amen.
   

  Send forth your Spirit 
  and we shall be re-created 
  and you will renew the face of the earth.
  Renew all the world 
  and everyone within our world.
  Amen.

  Holy Spirit, 
  Teach us all things.
  Bind us together
  in the Communion of Saints.
  Heal all in need of healing
  in body, mind, or spirit.
  Amen.

  Holy Spirit in whom 
  I live and move and have my being.
  gather me up into your very Being.
  Amen.

  Holy Spirit, Advocate, 
  may we sense your presence deep within us
  praying for all we need.
  Give us the gift of Prayerfulness.
  Let us be mindful of you throughout our day.
  We lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving, 
  in petition and appeal for forgiveness, 
  confident in your boundless mercy.
  Let us also simply contemplate you wordlessly
  so that, attending to you in silence, 
  we will open ourselves completely 
  to your gifts of revelation.
  Amen.

  Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of Life,
  give us the gift of Awe and Wonder.
  May we humbly marvel 
  at all facets of your creation 
  of the cosmos, of Earth, 
  of our human selves 
  with our deep spiritual capacity.
  You astound us with your Presence.
  Fill us with your love.
  Amen.

  Spirit, who reads our hearts,
  give us the gift of Understanding
  reveal the meanings of scripture to us.
  Guide us in discovering the Word 
  and its meaning for the world before the text,
  our situation and our world here and now.
  I will spend time with you and scripture passages
  in order to know your mind and heart for us now.
  Amen.

  Paraclete,
  Give me the gift of Courage.
  Yes, be comforter, but also 
  cheer, encourage, persuade, 
  exhort, stir up, urge me forward,
  spur me on.*
  To act passionately for your cause:
  The reconciliation of all peoples of the world,
  The social and economic equity and justice
  For everyone.
  Help me to find ways to work for your kingdom 
  with courage and integrity.
  Amen.
  *Father Michael Hymes
  In Sister Mary Ann Hinsdale
  In Catholic Women Preach, May 17, 2020
   

• Additional Faith-Based Resources for COVID-19

   

  "Strong in the Face of Tribulation" (PDF)

  A book of prayers from the Vatican for the Church in Communion.
   

  "This book is intended to be a little help offered to all, so as to know how to discern and experience God’s closeness and tenderness in pain, in suffering, in solitude and in fear. Of course, faith does not eliminate pain; ecclesial communion does not eliminate anguish. Rather, it does illuminate reality and reveal that it is pervaded by the love and hope based not on our abilities, but on the One Who is faithful and never abandons us."
  
   

  USCCB COVID-19: A Prayer for Solidarity

  
  For all who have contracted coronavirus,
       We pray for care and healing.

  For those who are particularly vulnerable,
       We pray for safety and protection.

  For all who experience fear or anxiety,
       We pray for peace of mind and spirit.

  For affected families who are facing difficult decisions between food on the table or public safety,
       We pray for policies that recognize their plight.

  For those who do not have adequate health insurance,
       We pray that no family will face financial burdens alone.

  For those who are afraid to access care due to immigration status,
       We pray for recognition of the God-given dignity of all.

  For our brothers and sisters around the world,
       We pray for shared solidarity.

  For public officials and decision-makers,
       We pray for wisdom and guidance.

  Father, during this time may your Church be a sign of hope, comfort and love to all.
       Grant peace.
       Grant comfort.
       Grant healing.
       Be with us, Lord.

  Amen.
  
  Pope Francis' Prayer to Mary, Our Lady, Health of the Sick 

  O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey
  as a sign of salvation and hope.
  We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
  At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
  with steadfast faith.
  You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
  We are certain that you will provide, so that,
  as you did at Cana of Galilee,
  joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
  Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
  to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
  and to do what Jesus tells us:
  He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
  and bore our sorrows to bring us through the Cross,
  to the joy of the Resurrection.
  Amen.
  We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
  Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us
  from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.

   

  Read: Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi address on coronavirus and Jesus calming the storm
   

  USCCB Resources: Together in Christ, Responding to Coronavirus

   

  Pope Francis' Prayer, Urbi et Orbi Address 

  "Dear brothers and sisters, 
  from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, 
  I would like this evening to entrust all of you 
  to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary,

  Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea.
  From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, 
  may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. 
  Lord, may you bless the world, 
  give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts.
  You ask us not to be afraid. 
  Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. 
  But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. 
  Tell us again “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:5). 
  And we, together with Peter, 
  'cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us' (cf. 1 Pet 5:7).
  Amen.” 

  
  Pope Francis' Prayer to St. Joseph

  “Protect, O Holy Guardian, this our nation.

  Enlighten those responsible 

  for the common good, so that they might know—like you do—

  how to care for those entrusted to their responsibility.

  Grant intelligence of knowledge 

  to those seeking adequate means 

  for the health and physical well-being 

  of their brothers and sisters.

  Sustain those who are spending themselves for those in need,
  even at the cost of their own safety: volunteers, nurses, doctors 

  who are on the front lines in curing the sick.

  Bless, O St. Joseph, the Church: 

  beginning with her ministers, 

  make her the sign and instrument 

  of your light and your goodness.

  Accompany, O St. Joseph, our families: 

  with your prayerful silence, 

  create harmony between parents 

  and their children, 

  in a special way with the youngest.

  Preserve the elderly from loneliness: 

  grant that no one might be left in desperation
  from abandonment and discouragement.

  Comfort those who are the most frail,
  encourage those who falter, 

  intercede for the poor.

  With the Virgin Mother, beg the Lord to liberate the world
  from every form of pandemic.

  Amen.”