Category: Mass

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Introduction – Prayers Of The Faithful

Back in the Spring we looked forward to family Easter dinners of home cooked ham. But Covid-19 managed to hogtie those plans. Now as we approach Thanksgiving we would normally think ahead to family dinners and parish suppers of turkey and all the trimmings! This time Covid-19 seems ready to gobble up those plans too!

But St. Paul reminds us of something that most of us already know. He speaks today of knowing times of abundance and times of humility as well as times of being hungry and times of being well fed. Most of us have heard older relatives or friends say “We were poor but we never knew it!”. Somehow parents provided and we have happy memories of times that were not. And, indeed, many of us have faced circumstances that would have broken some people but God gave us the grace and strength we needed, usually through the people He placed in our lives at the time.

Confidence that God will supply what we need (not necessarily what we want) is the wedding garment that always ensures that we will recognize and enjoy the banquet, regardless of what is on the menu!

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Introduction – Prayers Of The Faithful

The motto of St. F. X. University, familiar to many in Saint John, is “Quaecumquae Sunt Vera”. It translates “Whatsoever Things are True” and is taken from today’s second reading to the Philippians. St. Paul tells us not to be anxious in presenting our requests and petitions to God. When we do, the peace of God will be our safety and will guard our hearts and minds in Jesus.

Bishop Christian has made a similar appeal to us amidst the current anxiety and uncertainty produced by the pandemic. During the coming year the Bishop is asking each parish to consider initiatives in evangelization. He is also encouraging us to encounter Jesus through His Word and in the Sacraments. He is requesting that each parish allow for regular times of Eucharistic Adoration and to include prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life as an integral part of this devotion.

Generations have done this before us and they faced famine, epidemic, expulsion, colonial rule, the Depression and World Wars…. realities much more threatening than the COVID-19! And they made sure we could live the same vibrant faith! In thanksgiving for those we knew and loved and those we celebrate in memory and song we look forward to this effort together!