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)...

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

Women’s History Month Song:   Tu Eres La Victoria Blessed are you who believed, that the promise of God, would take flesh in you, this is...

"It is not just about migrants; it is about all of us, about the present and future of the human family." Message for the World Day of...

Light in our Darkness Introduction Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, a time of lengthening days, when each day we experience...

Human Trafficking   Introduction Earlier this month the “International Day of Prayer for Victims of Human Trafficking” was observed.  In...

Gospel Response to These Times Introduction We are faced daily with extremely difficult realities in our country and world.  As followers...

Black History Month   Song:    For All the World –by Jan Novotka https://youtu.be/G1hxGL-0-FE?si=p6SsgnRVDvEwDbwo For all the world we...

Human Dignity and Human Rights Introduction As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, issued...

Human Dignity and Human Rights Introduction This reflection comes from the Declaration of Human Dignity released by the Dicastery of the...

Community and the Core Virtue of Love Introduction The center of Jesus’ preaching is the Reign of God, which for Jesus means that God has...

Jubilee Year 2025:  Pilgrims of Hope Introduction Every 25 years the Catholic Church celebrates a Jubilee Year, or Holy Year.  It’s a...