Dear Friends In Christ,
Praised be the name of Jesus!
I pray that this Advent season finds you in the fullness of the joyful expectancy this grace-filled season invites us to discover anew as we prepare the way of the Lord. With Mary and Joseph interceding for us and inspiring us by their example we look forward to giving thanks with renewed vigor for the gift of our Lord’s Incarnation throughout the Christmas season as we also prepare to welcome our Lord Jesus in all his glory when He comes to make all things new at the end of time.
During the month of December it customary for Catholics to practice a special devotion to the Immaculate Conception in order that Mary might lead us to a deeper love for her Son, Jesus. To that end, you might find the Novena at the end of this letter useful. Wishing you and your families much grace and peace in our Lord Jesus!
In Christ,
Fr. McGuire
Novena Prayer In Honor Of The Immaculate Conception
O Mary Immaculate!
Guard with loving care this country dedicated to thee.
Let thy purity keep it pure.
Watch over its institutions.
As thou art the Refuge of all sinners,
this country is the refuge of the exiled and the oppressed.
Guide it ever in the ways of peace.
Let not its prosperity be its ruin.
Alas! Many of its children,
who know not what they do,
are walking in uncertain paths,
which are dark, and lead them away from the truth.
Mother of all, pray for us and plead for them,
that we, thy children,
may love and adore thy adorable Son with more fervent faith,
and that those who are wandering in error’s path may,
through thy intercession,
return to the one Fold of the True Shepard,
to thy Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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(Previous Letters)
Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
Praised be the name of Jesus!
During the month of November all faithful Christians are invited to remember in a special way all of the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In doing so, it is highly recommended to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and Holy Communion frequently for the faithful departed. The Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, novenas and litanies are good devotions for the same purpose. In this spirit, our parish will be offering a special Mass of Remembrance on November 5th at the 4:00 pm Mass. Forms are available in our parish office to have your loved ones remembered in this Mass.
Drawing courage from the infinite fount of Divine Mercy, we should seek to grow in our compassion for those who are now incapable of assisting themselves, and who must remain separated from God until this final purification is completed by their own sufferings, or by the interposition of the faithful. By this spiritual work of mercy, we prove our love for God, we benefit our neighbor, and acquire great merit for ourselves. We prove our love for God by interceding for those souls who are dear to Him, and whom He so ardently longs to glorify forever. We perform an act of great charity towards these suffering Holy Souls, by endeavoring to shorten their purification where they experience a form of suffering that exceeds any earthly suffering, and deprived of the sight of God, a torment more excruciating that all other pains. By interceding for the Faithful Departed we benefit or own souls by providing for ourselves powerful advocates who will not forget us when they stand before God in heaven.
May these considerations inspire all of us to do all we can for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. In recognizing our role in the Communion of Saints, may we devote many prayers, charitable works, and mortifications for their relief, and gain many indulgences for their benefit.
I continue ask for your prayers as I assure of mine for you.
In Christ,
Fr. McGuire
Dear Brothers and Sisters In Christ,
Praised be the name of Jesus!
In order to better sanctify the week, Catholics are encouraged to consecrate each day of the week to a particular devotion, thus:
| Sunday: | To the Holy Trinity |
| Monday: | To the Holy Spirit and the Souls in Purgatory |
| Tuesday: | The Holy Angels |
| Wednesday: | To St. Joseph |
| Thursday: | To the Most Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist |
| Friday: | To the Passion of our Lord and the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Saturday: | To the Blessed Virgin Mary |
Similarly, it is a long-standing custom of our Church to practice each month a particular devotion. The monthly devotions are usually arranged in the following order:
| January: | The Holy Infancy of Jesus |
| February: | The Holy Trinity (also the Holy Family) |
| March: | St. Joseph |
| April: | The Holy Spirit (also the Passion during Lent) |
| May: | The Blessed Virgin Mary |
| June: | The Precious Blood of Jesus |
| July: | Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist & the Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| August: | The Immaculate Heart of Mary |
| September: | The Holy Cross |
| October: | The Holy Angels and the Rosary |
| November: | The Holy Souls in Purgatory |
| December: | The Immaculate Conception |
I hope this is useful as we continue to develop our personal prayer lives. And may I remind you that every day is a good day to pray that I become a more holy pastor and receive the gift of final perseverance!
In Christ,
Fr. McGuire
Devotion to the Holy Cross
It is a long standing custom During the month of September to give particular devotion to the holy cross. The following prayer is suggested for your use.
Oh, Adorable Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, You have suffered death on the Cross for our sins.
Oh, Holy Cross of Jesus, be my true light!
Oh, Holy Cross, fill my soul with good thoughts.
Oh, Holy Cross, ward off from me all things that are evil.
Oh, Holy Cross, ward off from me all dangers and deaths and give me life everlasting!
Oh, Crucified Jesus of Nazareth, have mercy on me now and forever.
In honor of the Precious Blood of Jesus, his death, resurrection and ascension which leads to everlasting life; true as Jesus was born on Christmas Day; true as Jesus was crucified on Good Friday; true as Joseph and Nicodemus took Jesus down from the cross and buried Him; true as Jesus ascended into Heaven; may He preserve me from my enemies visible and invisible forever.
Oh, Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me! Mary and Joseph pray for me.
Lord Jesus Christ, through Your suffering the Cross grant me strength to bear my Cross without fear or dread and give me the grace that I may follow You.
Amen.
Request a Mass Intention
Those wishing to honor a loved one during the celebration of Mass may pick up Mass cards in the parish office. Mass cards are available for the living and deceased and provide opportunities for prayerful remembrance of anniversaries, birthdays, and other special intentions. Masses are usually booked at least several months in advance so if you have a particular date or time on which you want the Mass, it is very important that you contact the parish office well ahead of time.
For more information about scheduling a Mass Intention, please contact
Yazmin Salazar 480-945-8437, ext. 201