In Part One, I shared that your perspective affects your experiences and therefore affects your ability to rejoice in the good times and difficult times. Today I would like you to consider what it means to Pray Always. How can we pray at all times? Let's first begin by looking at what prayer is. Prayer is the communication that exists between us and God. It is about talking to God and listening to Him. It is about asking the Saints and Angels to pray for us. Prayer can be difficult some days and easy other times. The best way to create the habit of prayer in your life is to set aside time each day to pray. Morning, meal time & before you go to bed are great times to begin praying at if you are not yet doing so. During Meal Time, you can say the meal prayer: "Bless us Oh Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive, from thy bounty, through Christ, Our Lord. Amen." Or consider finding a fun, family-friendly prayer to say together. I know my daughter likes to teach us the meal prayers she has learned from pre-school. In the morning or before bed time, read the scripture of the day which can be found at USCCB.org There are also formal prayers such as the Rosary, Our Father, Morning Offering, Prayer to the Holy Spirit and more. You can download an app on your smartphone to help you to prayer. I have two on my phone that I use regularly: Laudate and Daily Examen. You can also create your own prayer and speak openly from your heart. Tell God what you are thankful for. Tell God about how good or bad your day has been. Ask God for what you or others you know need. My parents never taught me how to pray. I briefly learned how to pray during Religious Education but nothing really stuck with me. Once I got involved in Youth Ministry, I would regularly visit my youth minister and ask her a million questions about how to pray. It is thanks to her, other adults from that parish and friends throughout my life that I have learned how to pray. It has not been an easy journey towards understand prayer. It took me a while to create a habit of daily praying. I still struggle to pray regularly in the morning. I have recently become aware of the importance of praying for all those who I encounter throughout my day. Why not pray for:
I often wonder how many people that I see throughout my day have no one to pray for them? That makes me sad. Praying for other is so simple. I just ask God to be with that person. I don't need to know their name or their story. Everyone is in need of prayers. Let's start lifting each other up in prayer. If we all prayed for each other more often, imagine the change that would take place in the world. So next time you see a stranger or consider talking behind someone's back, try praying for that person to hear God’s voice and be open to God’s will. - Kate Tyler - Pastoral Associate - "May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5: 23
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“As Christian Stewards, we receive God’s gifts gratefully, cultivate them responsibly, share them lovingly in justice with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.” - United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) - About 15 years ago, I moved across town and switched to St. Matthew Church as a divorced mother with one child in grade school, one in middle school and one starting high school. I was rather busy with a full time job and kids activities but something was missing. I was just going through the motions. I got a call to be a catechist for 7th grade Religious Education. I had taught at St. Jude’s for several years and missed the community feeling. This was my first stewardship commitment at St. Matthew & I have been a catechist ever since. Sharing my faith with youth has always uplifted my spirits and brings me closer to God. I learn from them probably more than they learn from me. This feeling is what had me yearning for more. The more time I spend sharing my faith the more peace and joy I experience. God’s love is addictive and I cannot get enough! Along with being a Catechist for Faith Formation Classes, I have been or am currently involved in Pastoral Council, Stewardship Committee, Parish Festival Planning Committee, Green Square Meals, Family Promise and my most honored position as an Eucharistic Minister. To be able to help nourish others with the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ brings me closer to God and to those who come to receive. You will never know how stewardship opportunities can be a blessing until you wander out of your comfort zone. -Brenda Kowalsky - "All of the teachings of stewardship come directly from the Gospels, the Old Testament and the letters of the New Testament. Stewardship is not a new fad, or environmental word. Stewardship is the way God has expected His people to live since the beginning of time."
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matter; I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.” Matthew 25:23 |
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