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DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
This Wednesday, May 3rd, is the First Wednesday of May and so is our Monthly Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious Life. The day begins with praying together the Liturgy of Hours Morning Prayers at 7:45 a.m. Then comes Mass followed by Exposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament till Benediction at 7:15 p.m. The day concludes with Mass at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Novena to St. Jude.
This year only four men will be ordained to the Priesthood. Next year there will be seven ordinations, God willing. The following year NONE! Between now and then more than two dozen priests will retire. Very few girls are entering convents. Often if a girl does wish to consider a religious vocation, her family fights it. I have heard even people who attend Mass regularly and who do much for the Lord, say: "Not my daughter!"
What am I doing to encourage vocations? Do I ever speak about it with my family? Do I ever try encouraging anyone? Have I ever invited someone to think about a vocation? Do I ever come on a day assigned to my parish to pray each month, and spend time in prayer? Do I ever pray for priests and religious that they can be faithful to their calling and live-out their commitment?
Let us each this week come and spend some time in prayer with Jesus, praying for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life. Let us make this a part of our prayers each and everyday.
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ECUMENICAL PRAYER SERVICE
THIS THURSDAY
Last October the Holy See in the name of the Catholic Christian Church and the German Lutheran Church signed a Joint Statement regarding Justification. This was the major issue during the break between Catholics and Lutherans. Leaders representing the Catholic Church and the German Lutheran Church worked for several years to reach this agreement. With this Joint Statement, both sides explained the question to the satisfaction of the other, and both concurred regarding a common understanding of this issue. His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, stated that it is too bad this could have happened 500 years ago, when this question first arose.
To celebrate this major break-through agreement between the Catholic Church and the German Lutheran Church, we are having an Ecumenical Prayer Service this Thursday evening, May 4th, at 7:30 p.m. in our parish church. The sung praise will be led by the combined choirs of several neighboring Lutheran churches and the local Catholic churches. Members of the clergy from not only the Lutheran and Catholic churches, but also from other churches will join us in this Ecumenical Prayer Service.
This is also the Annual National Day of Prayer called by the President of the United States.
One and all are encouraged to join in prayer with friends and neighbors this Thursday evening. Hopefully with our combined prayers to our Heavenly Father, soon there might be a real unity among all people who bear the name "Christian".
Fellowship will follow in the parish hall.
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