This past year, I attended the funeral of one of our sisters who had spent her life among the most vulnerable of our neighbors: people who were poor, people who were incarcerated, people who were physically and mentally challenged. As her understanding of kinship deepened, she formed deep and lasting relationships and became the fiercest of advocates for those outside the margins of power. Her loving care reached beyond the grave. Those who came to her funeral honored her final request to bring with them items of canned food to be donated to her beloved friends.
Jesus offers the same invitation and asks the same questions of each of us. How do we care for the most vulnerable among our neighbors? How might we give our lives over in loving service without expecting anything in return today?
- Sr. Chris Koellhoffer, I.H.M.
Please pray for our 44 yr. old son who is experiencing high anxiety and depression! He is on a light meds for his condition. Business at his job as a waiter is slow. (worried about bills) He has a 18 month old son and a wife that is adding to his anxiety. He is depressed because of this and beating himself up with that the thought that he can’t do anything else in his life. He has strayed from the Catholic church, but he reads the Bible every night. Pray for him and my wife and I so we can give him the correct support! God bless him and ALL people who are going through the same problems!
Larry, sending you and your son light for the path to understand and move towards peace and support. Amen.
Praying for you and your son and his family, Larry. Also, for Annie and he daughter Cate.
Keeping your son and your whole family in my prayers, Larry. We have a son who’s the same age and I see how he is struggling to keep his family afloat. Praying that the Holy Spirit will guide him and that Our Lord Jesus Christ will help him realize how much He loves him.Sending prayers of hope and understanding.
The question marks were supposed to be hands in prayer! Our robot apparently isn’t listening to our prayer petitions!
Larry, I’m just sitting g down to say the Rosary, I will tuck your son and your family into these Joyful Mysteries. The virtue of the last decade “The Finding in the Temple”, is joy in finding Jesus. I’m praying your son may find Him in the pages of the Bible and your unconditional love. ????
✝️ Praying for your son and his family that God will draw him and his family to Himself through the current circumstances ✝️ May be this helps…Walking through Depression https://www.youtube.com/live/8YohELDr5og?si=H0OX_rrTh2hXrWLX ✝️
Thank you, Sr. Chris! You are right, be dedicated to helping those who cannot pay back. We’ve been blessed with so much, they need our help without any reservation.
Just look around you there are food pantries St Vincent de Paul homeless shelters all kind of ways you a get involved just try it it makes you feel good inside to help others God bless you all.
That's So True! The opportunity to help others is Always there! Continue to be Blessed and a Blessing!
*** These are some interesting facts Paul was referring to in Romans 11:30-31, “At one time you did not obey God. But now you have received mercy because Israel did not obey. In the same way, Israel has not been obeying God. But now they receive mercy because of God’s mercy to you!” Gentiles disobeyed God. Gentiles received mercy because the Jews disobeyed. Israel received mercy because the Gentiles received mercy. Did you get all that? I am not sure! *** But the bottom line for me is in Romans 11:32, “God has found everyone guilty of not obeying Him. So now He can have mercy on everyone!” *** And I also learn where my focus should be in Romans 11:36, “All things come from Him. All things are directed by Him. All things are for His praise. May God be given the glory forever! Amen.” ******* Here is Jesus’ Word on how I go about doing life on earth in John 8:31-32, “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.” Amen!
Thank you Sr. Chris for the reminder of one of the most important purposes of our lives here on earth.....I try for twice every year to have a food drive in my office, which items I pass on to one of our Deacons who travels into some very poverty stricken far off areas on my island to distribute...it is hard work but the feeling is satisfying
Thank you Sr. Chris. Beautiful reflection. The best gives are from our heart with the motivation of how one might serve another. Thank you for the motivation today. Amen.
Lord, please hear our continued prayers for those in the Ukraine, Russia, the Middle East, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Thank you, Sr. Chris. Sometimes we feel we have to get a payback for doing something for a friend, neighbor or co-worker. It is so rewarding to give to those in need and can't repay. Just picked up my 'Little Blue Book' for the Advent season. It is a contemplative daily reading of bible verses inspired by Bishop Ken Untener (1937-2004) of Saginaw, MI. Found here - https://littlebooks.org/
I love the "Little Blue Book" (and the other "Little" Books} that we receive at our church for every church season. Please pray for my daughter Cate's safety, as she makes her drive from NYC to Houston to begin a new job! Today is also her birthday. May God Bless us all.
Bill L. - Thank You…I just ordered 2 books! I read the sample from last year and loved it!❣️
I love the little blue book for advent! Will get it this weekend at church.
THanks Bill…I don’t know this one, but will check it out! Appreciate you sharing.
Thank you for the timely reminder about the Little Blue Book! I love making it a part of my prayer/devotional time. :)
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Lord, please hear our continued prayers for those in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.