There is One Body and One Spirit Introduction Every year, Christians around the world come together to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  During this week, which runs from January 18 through January 25, they celebrate the truth that “What unites us is much greater than what divides us”  (Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, 20) The theme this year comes from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians:  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hop

Christ Our Light Introduction As we draw to the close of the Christmas Season with the Feast of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Jesus, the following words of Jim Wallis are especially timely and meaningful: As many have done before, it is time again to trust the light of Christ, join the light of Christ, and take the light of Jesus into the world—believing that the darkness, in the end, cannot overcome the light. Christ in Crisis:  Why We Need to Reclaim Jesus In the words of

Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 59 th  World Day of Peace   January 1, 2026 INTRODUCTION From the words of Pope Leo XIV,… “Peace be with you all:  Towards and ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.  Peace be with you.  This ancient greeting, still in use today in many cultures, was infused with new life on the evening of Easter on the lips of the risen Jesus.  “Peace by with you” is his Word that does not merely desire peace, but truly brings about a lasting transformation in those w

Caring for the Immigrant Introduction Scripture scholars remind us that caring for the stranger (variously named as the alien, the foreigner, the immigrant, the refugee, the pilgrim), is one of the most often repeated commandments in the Hebrew Scriptures, second only to the law to worship only the one God. Jesus also challenges us to care for the stranger because whatever we do for the most vulnerable among us, He counts as done to Him. Mantra :  Monica Brown, Quiet My Soul:

Empowering Others Introduction Monday of this week we celebrated the feast of Our Blessed Mother on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.   We remember how Mary was “full of God’s Grace, God’s love” and we continue to turn to Mary for her intercession today, as we experience the needs in our world. Song: Holy Mother https://youtu.be/x9uYu4R2nk8?si=u_9jCch7Z-dZhbG0   Holy Mother, where are you? Tonight, I feel broken in two I've seen the stars fall from the sky H

A Call to Non-Violence Introduction:  Today as we begin this Season of Advent, we reflect on nonviolence as a way of living.  We are each called to follow the nonviolent Jesus on the road to peace. As Pope Benedict the XVI observed: “For Christians, nonviolence is not merely tactical behavior but a person’s way of being, the attitude of one who is so convinced of God’s love and power that he or she is not afraid to tackle evil with the weapons of love and truth alone.” Mantra

Thanksgiving Introduction Our Prayer for the World this week will focus on Thanksgiving.  As we celebrate our National Holiday tomorrow, it is fitting to offer prayers of gratitude and petition. We will begin with a song of “grateful praise!” Song:  For the Beauty of the Earth, Mormon Tabernacle Choir https://youtu.be/6BPq3sJa-FA?si=yxjfIG86yq2fkWmn     For the Beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth, over and around us lies: (Refra

Ecological Crisis, a Threat to Peace Introduction The UN climate conference in Belém, Brazil, COP30 (Conference of Parties), is taking place from  November 10-21, 2025 .  More than 50,000 people have registered to attend this year’s COP in Belem, including journalists, climate scientists, Indigenous leaders and representatives from 195 countries.  The Conference will have no representation from Washington.  President Trump cited the economic burden of climate initiatives on

Veterans Day and True Patriotism   Introduction Since yesterday was Veterans Day, that is the focus of our prayer today.  Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919.    It commemorated the end of World War I and the signing of the armistice in 1918, a step toward negotiating a peace treaty.   In 1954, at the urging of veterans and others, Congress changed it to Veterans Day in gratitude to all Veterans for their sacrifice and service to the Country.  While

Culture of Exclusion Introduction In the present situation of our world, we are becoming more acutely aware of our oneness, our connectedness.  What happens in one part of the world in terms of war, use of Earth’s resources, etc. affects us all.  However, too often folks are excluded instead of included when decisions or laws affecting them are made.  Today we will pray for those who are unfairly excluded from the economic, political or cultural life of society, thr rights an

Respect for All Life Introduction October is Respect Life Month .  The basis for all Catholic social teaching is the belief that all life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.   The U.S. Catholic Bishops have highlighted 7 key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.  In our prayer today we will focus on three of these themes.  We will also call to mind the Corporate Statement  we made as a Co

Faith and Love for the Poor   Introduction The focus of our prayer today will be Pope Leo XIV’s first major papal document, “Dilexi Te.”  In this apostolic exhortation, Leo admonishes many Christians who may have forgotten, to re-read the Gospels to discover that faith and love for the poor go hand in hand. Song: What Have We Done For These Poor Ones by Lori True https://youtu.be/m9_dAiMfJfs?si=4L9ObIUU90P7AjzN   What have we done for the poor ones, the cold ones The ones who

Praise of God Through Creation Introduction We are nearing the end of this year’s Season of Creation which culminates on October 4, the...

Hispanic Heritage Month Introduction: Hispanic Heritage is a month- long celebration (Sept 15 - Oct15) of Hispanic and Latino history and...

Hispanic Heritage Month Creation Spirituality   Introduction Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 to October 15, is a time to celebrate...

Preserving God’s Creation Introduction:  The Season of Creation, is an opportunity for us to celebrate and offer a prayer of gratitude...

Season of Creation, Peace with Creation Introduction Each year, since the publication of the Encyclical Laudato Si’ (LS , 24 May 2015)...

SISTER ANGELINE WALCZYK, OLVM, age 91, a resident of Heritage Pointe of Warren, died on the morning of Saturday, August 2, 2025. Sister...

SISTER CHRISTOPHER RUDELL, OLVM, age 97, a resident of Heritage Pointe of Warren, died on the morning of Friday, August 1, 2025. Sister...

A People of Courage   Introduction The reading for reflection in our prayer today is by Dan Misleh, Executive Director of Catholic...