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Sunday, December 27, 2020
Happy Feast of the Holy Family!
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 12/27 All Missionaries
MONDAY 12/28 Fr. William Cosgrove
TUESDAY 12/29 Fr. Michael Costik
WEDNESDAY 12/30 Fr. Richard Crawley
THURSDAY 12/31 Fr. Charles Curran
FRIDAY 1/1 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 1/2 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer this week:
Dear Lord, bless our Church. Be so kind as to give us the unity, peace, and mutual love that You found in Your own family in the little town of Nazareth.
Saint Joseph, pray for our holy father, Pope Francis. Obtain for him the strength, wisdom, and prudence he needs to support and direct those under his care.
Mother Mary, pray for our priests. Help them to be pure and kind, gentle and self-sacrificing. The more they are like you, the better will our family be.
Lord Jesus, bless all our holy priests and bishops. Make them more and more like You. Let them grow, as You did, in wisdom and strength and grace before God and man.
Holy Family of Nazareth, by your intercession, love, and holy example, make our holy Church and our families more and more like Yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with You. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, December 19, 2020
All four candles are lit. We enter this last week of Advent focused on charity. Love. Goodwill.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 12/20 All Deacons
MONDAY 12/21 Fr. William Coffas
TUESDAY 12/22 Fr. John Colacino
WEDNESDAY 12/23 Fr. Michael Conboy
THURSDAY 12/24 Fr. Daniel Condon
FRIDAY 12/25 Fr. Patrick Connor
SATURDAY 12/26 Fr. Brian Cool
Our prayer this week is the Collect from this Sunday:
Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, Your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ Your Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection. Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, December 12, 2020
Rejoice! We have reached Gaudete Sunday!
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 12/13 Fr. Scott Caton
MONDAY 12/14 Fr. Thomas Celso
TUESDAY 12/15 Fr. Lee Chase
WEDNESDAY 12/16 All Parish Priests
THURSDAY 12/17 Fr. Augustine Chumo
FRIDAY 12/18 Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark
SATURDAY 12/19 Fr. Peter Clifford
Our prayer this week:
Our Lady of Guadalupe, my mother, into your hands joined in prayer take my prayers, petitions and hopes, and present them to Jesus for me. In particular I ask that you wrap your mantle of love around all of our beloved priests. Protect them from being too busy to rest in your embrace during this season of Advent. Remembering the love and care your hands rendered to Him, He will not refuse what they hold now, even though they are from me. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, December 5, 2020
Tomorrow we begin the Second Week of Advent, focused on peace. Peace in the world, peace in our homes and peace in our hearts.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 12/6 Pope Francis
MONDAY 12/7 Fr. Michael Brown
TUESDAY 12/8 Fr. Timothy Brown
WEDNESDAY 12/9 Fr. James Burke
THURSDAY 12/10 Fr. Roman Caly
FRIDAY 12/11 Fr. Brian Carpenter
SATURDAY 12/12 Fr. Joseph Catanise
Our prayer this week is a prayer for priests by John F. Kinney, former Bishop of Saint Cloud (imprimatur given March 19, 2002):
Praise to you, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for in Your infinite love You care for Your people by the ministry of priests. May their faithful service bring lasting good to Your Church and great happiness to them. Help them to do what is right, that by their teaching and living we may grow in the knowledge of Your love. As our priests instruct Your people, enlighten them with the wisdom of Christ the Teacher. As they preach Your Word and celebrate the sacraments, sanctify them with the holiness of Christ the High Priest. As they face weakness, suffering and discouragement, strengthen them with the grace of Christ the Life-Giver. As they work for peace, unity and healing in Your Church, uphold them with the courage of Christ the Reconciler. Giver of all good gifts, make the ministry of our priests a spiritual offering pleasing to You, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, November 28, 2020
Happy New Year!!
I can hear one of my favorite priests starting his homily with those words, just as he always does the first weekend of Advent. I only wish I could be there to hear them in person. Alas, though tonight is “New Year’s Eve”, we are still in 2020, a year that has presented us with so many challenges and “opportunities for greatness.” This year many of us around the world won’t be attending Mass in person. But our heavenly Father is with us, whether in a Church or at home.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 11/29 All Missionaries
MONDAY 11/30 All Deacons
TUESDAY 12/1 Fr. Philip Brockmyre
WEDNESDAY 12/2 Fr. Lewis Brown
THURSDAY 12/3 Fr. William Spilly
FRIDAY 12/4 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 12/5 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer this week:
Oh, most Loving God, You give us this season of Advent, not so much as a time to prepare our homes for Christmas as to prepare our hearts for the Advent of our King. Let us use this time well.
This year seems so different to us, and that makes us so uncertain and unsettled. So many of our priests feel isolated, separated from the people You have called them to shepherd. As we light the first Advent candle each day this week, may it ignite in each of our hearts the hope we have in Your coming. We await Your coming on Christmas morning as Emanuel. We await Your coming as our King. And we await Your coming into our hearts and souls. Have we drifted too far into this world, focused more on ‘christmas’ than Christmas? “Awake!” That is the call of Advent! Awaken our hearts and theirs to keep watch for Your coming! May the darkness of these early days of Advent, lit by a solitary candle, slowly give way to abundant joy! Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, November 22, 2020
Happy Solemnity of Christ, King of the Universe.
Christ the King Sunday celebrates the role of Jesus as ruler over all of the universe. However, it is important to recall that despite this, Jesus is king because he is a humble servant. Jesus’ kingship is one of power and might, but also love and humility, as demonstrated by his life on earth.
If you are from outside of the diocese of Rochester, please check our links to other diocesan calendars. If your diocese has a calendar for priests that is not listed on our page, please feel free to send me the link and I will add it. The priests we are praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 11/22 Fr. Robert Bourcy
MONDAY 11/23 Fr. James Boyle
TUESDAY 11/24 Fr. Hoan Dinh
WEDNESDAY 11/25 Fr. Robert Bradler
THURSDAY 11/26 Fr. Alexander Bradshaw
FRIDAY 11/27 Fr. Paul Brennan
SATURDAY 11/28 Fr. DavidTedesche
Our prayer this week is adapted from an 11th Century Manuscript:
O Lord God Almighty, King of kings, Lord of rulers, in whose hand all victory rests and all war is destroyed, grant us that Thy hand may strengthen the hearts of Your priests, so they may fight well and act courageously, so their enemies may fall before their sight. May the enemies fall as did Goliath fall before Thy servant David, as did the people of the Pharaoh in the Red Sea before Moses, as did the Philistines before the people of Israel, as did Amalech before Moses, and as did the Canaanites before Joshua. So may the enemies of the Church fall beneath the feet of our priests and the faithful. May all who come against the Church be dispersed and God destroy their weapons and shatter their swords. They will melt in our sight as wax in the face of fire so all the peoples of the earth will know that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ has been invoked over Your holy priesthood. May Thy Name, O Lord, be made great over our adversaries, O Lord, God of Israel.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, November 14, 2020
Happy Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 11/15 Fr. Richard Beligotti
MONDAY 11/16 Fr. Robert Beligotti
TUESDAY 11/17 Fr. Juan Benitez
WEDNESDAY 11/18 Fr. Philip Billotte
THURSDAY 11/19 Fr. Sylvester Bioh
FRIDAY 11/20 Fr. Paul Bonacci
SATURDAY 11/21 Fr. Dennis Bonsignore
Our prayer this week is from the Saint Teresa of Calcutta Vocation Society:
Lord Jesus, You have chosen Your priests from among us and sent them out to proclaim Your word and to act in Your Name. For so great a gift to Your Church, we give You praise and thanksgiving. We ask You to fill them with the fire of Your love that their ministry may reveal Your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that Your power shine out through their weakness. In their afflictions let them never be crushed; in their doubts never despair; in temptation never be destroyed; in persecution never abandoned. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of Your dying and rising. In times of weakness send them Your Spirit, and help them to praise Your heavenly Father and prayer for poor sinners. By the same Holy Spirit put Your word on their lips and Your love in their hearts, to bring good news to the poor and healing to the broken-hearted. And may the gift of Mary be Your gift to every priest. Grant that she, who formed You in her human image, may form them in Your divine image, by the power of Your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, November 7, 2020
We are definitely living in challenging times. Although the prayer this week was originally written while contemplating the presidential election here in the US, it can also help as we consider issues within our parishes, in the Church and in the world at large. We just have to remember that we have been promised that the powers of hell will not prevail against the Church, and that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to His purpose. All is in His hands.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 11/8 Fr. Frederick Asuming
MONDAY 11/9 Fr. Theodore Auble
TUESDAY 11/10 Fr. William Barrett
WEDNESDAY 11/11 Benedictine Fathers
THURSDAY 11/12 Fr. Victor Bartolotta
FRIDAY 11/13 Fr. Michael Bausch
SATURDAY 11/14 Fr. Peter Bayer
Our prayer this week:
Heavenly Father, You have shown Your love for us in so many ways, most importantly, by giving Your only begotten Son to redeem us all. You have given us the Saints as holy examples who intercede for us with You, and You have given us holy priests to guide us on our way to Your Heavenly home.
We pray for our country, founded so that we could be free to worship You. We have obviously had times of struggle. Your word tells us that “father (will be) against son, and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:53) That is what this election is doing. It’s hard to know how we get to a place of peace from where we are. It does not seem possible, but with You everything is possible. Please – let Your Will be done in this time. Stop the cancel culture from trying to eliminate all evidence that history happened. None of us is perfect and sinless. We all fall short of the glory of God. Nevertheless, these heroes of ours who lived in different times lived the best lives for You that they could. Don’t allow the fact that they don’t “measure up” to today’s sensibilities lead to the removal of them from our memory. It’s such a contradiction that the protesters want to apply standards of today’s “moral behavior” but refuse to behave morally themselves.
We are uneasy about what the next weeks and years are going to look and feel like. Both sides have instigated conflict. Each side is so distrustful of the other and is unwilling to see the positives of their opponents or the negatives in themselves. Our concern is that there will be significant unrest until long after this is settled. Please guide all involved to be gracious and humble. Remind us regularly of what You teach us in Romans 13:1, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, October 31, 2020
Happy feasts of All Saints and All Souls.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 11/1 Pope Francis
MONDAY 11/2 Deceased Priests
TUESDAY 11/3 Fr. William Amann
WEDNESDAY 11/4 Fr. Anthony Amato
THURSDAY 11/5 Fr. Ronald Antinarelli
FRIDAY 11/6 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 11/7 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer this week is a prayer for the Church by St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R.:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Guard the kingdom of Thy Vicar on earth, our chief bishop. Pray for the people; intercede for the clergy; protect the consecrated virgins. Give us strength against our enemies and thine. Give courage to the fearful; joy to those that mourn; peace to the contrite of heart; perseverance to the just. Let all experience thy protection, Virgin and Mother. Through thee the nations are brought to repentance, the demons are put to flight. They that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death are filled with the knowledge and love of Thy Son. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, October 24, 2020
Good evening, all prayer warriors! This week let’s pray that all of our priests continue to deepen their faith and devotion to the Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. May they continue to find a way to adore Him in private prayer, strengthening them to minister to us.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 10/25 Inactive & Sabbatical Priests
MONDAY 10/26 Fr. Robert Werth
TUESDAY 10/27 Fr. Thomas Wheeland
WEDNESDAY 10/28 All Deacons
THURSDAY 10/29 Fr. Daniel E. White
FRIDAY 10/30 Fr. Daniel L. White
SATURDAY 10/31 Fr. Mitchell Zygadlo
Our prayer this week:
Lord Jesus, present in the Most Blessed Sacrament, and living perpetually among us through Your Priests, grant that the words of Your Priests may be only Your words, that their gestures be only Your gestures, and that their lives be a true reflection of Your life.
Grant that they may be men who speak to God on behalf of His people, and speak to His people of God. Grant that they be courageous in service, serving the Church as she asks to be served.
Grant that they may be men who witness to eternity in our time, travelling on the paths of history in Your steps, and doing good for all.
Grant that they may be faithful to their commitments, zealous in their vocation and mission, clear mirrors of their own identity, and living the joy of the gift they have received.
We pray that Your Holy Mother, Mary, present throughout Your life, may be ever present in the life of Your Priests. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, October 18, 2020
Happy Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 10/18 Fr. Peter Van Lieshout
MONDAY 10/19 Fr. Louis Vasile
TUESDAY 10/20 Fr. John Vu
WEDNESDAY 10/21 Fr. Walter Wainwright
THURSDAY 10/22 Fr. Matthew Walter
FRIDAY 10/23 All Missionaries
SATURDAY 10/24 Fr. Eugene Weis
Our prayer this week:
Gracious and loving God, help the men and women of the Church hear Your call to serve, especially those men being called to the priesthood. Our needs are great and our people thirst for Your presence. Open the hearts of many; raise up faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated, holy sisters, brothers, deacons and priests, who will give themselves for Your people and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example and faith. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, October 10, 2020
Happy Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 10/11 Fr. Daniel Tormey
MONDAY 10/12 Fr. Thomas Travers
TUESDAY 10/13 Fr. Jeffrey Tunnicliff
WEDNESDAY 10/14 Fr. Michael Twardzik
THURSDAY 10/15 Carmelite Fathers
FRIDAY 10/16 Fr. Gary Tyman
SATURDAY 10/17 Fr. Michael Upson
Our prayer this week:
Litany for Priests (for private use only)
God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Jesus, our High Priest, Sacrifice, and Teacher, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Bless our holy father, our bishops, and priests, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Give them the strength of Thy grace, and the love of Thy Heart, and the spirit of sacrifice of Thine own divine life, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Make them firm in faith, holy in conduct, and faithful in Thy service, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Fill them with the zeal of the Apostles, with the courage of the martyrs, with the spirit of the confessors, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Grant that they may convert the sinners, correct the erring, teach the ignorant, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Strengthen them with joy in their labors, with patience in their sufferings, with endurance in their struggles, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Preserve them in love for the little ones, in zeal for the education of youth, in loyalty to people and country, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Bless their words in the pulpit, their instructions in school, their admonitions in the confessional and at the sickbed, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Preserve them from the temptations of the wicked enemy, from the hostile plots of unscrupulous men, from all occasions of sin, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Make us one with them in faith, loyal in divine service, and holy in life, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Give us holy bishops, holy priests, holy missionaries, we beseech Thee, hear us.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, October 4, 2020
God is always with us, and as we heard in today’s reading, His thoughts are so far above our thoughts, and His ways are so far above our ways. Sometimes He tells us to take a little break. May we all listen to His call, especially all men being called to the priesthood. For all of you who have asked, you didn’t miss it. I did not have a chance to send prayers last week.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 10/4 Pope Francis
MONDAY 10/5 Fr. B. Nathan Davis
TUESDAY 10/6 Fr. Thomas Statt
WEDNESDAY 10/7 Fr. Edison Tayag
THURSDAY 10/8 Fr. Richard Brickler
FRIDAY 10/9 Fr. Matthew Temple
SATURDAY 10/10 Fr. Paul Tomasso
Our prayer this week:
O God, who have willed that your priests preside over your family not by any personal merit but only out of the abundance of your grace, look with mercy on the ministry of Fr. (insert name here) and direct the hearts of priest and people to be so disposed that the obedience of the flock may never fail the shepherd, nor the care of the shepherd be lacking for the flock. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, September 20, 2020
God is always with us, and as we heard in today’s reading, His thoughts are so far above our thoughts, and His ways are so far above our ways. Sometimes He tells us to take a little break. May we all listen to His call, especially all men being called to the priesthood. For all of you who have asked, you didn’t miss it. I did not have a chance to send prayers last week.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 9/20 Fr. Daniel Ruiz
MONDAY 9/21 Fr. Sriram Sadhanala
TUESDAY 9/22 Fr. Edward Salmon
WEDNESDAY 9/23 Fr. Carlos Sanchez
THURSDAY 9/24 Fr. Joseph Sasso
FRIDAY 9/25 Fr. Robert Schrader
SATURDAY 9/26 Fr. Michael Schramel
Our prayer this week is from the late Monsignor Anthony LaFemina
God our Father, You reveal your omnipotence in the superabundance of your mercy, poured forth into the world through the sacred wounds of your Son and our Redeemer. We ardently pray that your sacred ministers may be clear reflections of your mercy. May they, with every word and deed of their life, illumine humanity disoriented by sin, and bring it back to you, who are Love. We ask this, Father, through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, September 5, 2020
It’s a sad day when we lose one of our beloved priests.
The priests we’re praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 9/6 Pope Francis
MONDAY 9/7 Fr. Timothy Niven
TUESDAY 9/8 Fr. Anthony Nketiah
WEDNESDAY 9/9 Fr. Symon Peter Ntaiyia
THURSDAY 9/10 Fr. Malachi Nwosu
FRIDAY 9/11 Fr. John O’Connor
SATURDAY 9/12 Fr. Eugene O’Hara
Our prayer:
O God, Though didst raise Thy servant priests to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving them the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice to bring the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of men in Thine own Holy Name. We beseech Thee to reward their faithfulness and to forget their faults, admitting them speedily into Thy Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of their labors. This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, August 30, 2020
Happy Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we are praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 8/30 Fr. Kevin McKenna
MONDAY 8/31 Fr. William McGrath
TUESDAY 9/1 Fr. John Mulligan
WEDNESDAY 9/2 Fr. Kevin Murphy
THURSDAY 9/3 Fr. Thomas Nellis
FRIDAY 9/4 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 9/5 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our Responsorial Psalm this week is “My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.” Know that Jesus thirsts for us too. St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote a wonderful letter to her sisters entitled “I Thirst” after experiencing a “call within a call” from Jesus. This week I include an excerpt of that letter. As we contemplate the love Jesus has for each of us, can we pray that each of our priests remembers that Jesus thirsts for them always.
“It is true. I stand at the door of your heart, day and night. Even when you are not listening, even when you doubt it could be Me, I am there. I await even the smallest signal of your response, even the least whispered invitation that will allow Me to enter… “I thirst for you. Yes, that is the only way to even begin to describe My love for you. I THIRST FOR YOU. I thirst to love you and to be loved by you – that is how precious you are to Me. I THIRST FOR YOU. Come to Me, and I will fill your heart and heal your wounds. I will make you a new creation, and give you peace, even in all of your trials. I THIRST FOR YOU. You must never doubt My mercy, My acceptance of you, My desire to forgive, My longing to bless you and live My life in you. I THIRST FOR YOU. If you feel unimportant in the eyes of the world, that matters not at all. For Me, there is no one any more important in the entire world than you. I THIRST FOR YOU. Open to Me, come to Me, thirst for Me, give Me your life – and I will prove to you how important you are to My Heart… “When you do open the door of your heart, whenever you come close enough, you will hear Me say to you again and again, not in mere human words but in spirit: “No matter what you have done, I love you for your own sake. Come to Me with your misery and your sins, with your troubles and needs, and with all your longing to be loved. I stand at the door of your heart and knock…Open to Me, for I THIRST FOR YOU…“
(Fr. John Riccardo, a priest in the Archdiocese of Detroit and host of Christ is the Answer radio show, has recorded a reading of the complete letter. This is a beautiful passage of Jesus speaking to each one of us. Get into a quiet place, eliminate all distractions, quiet your mind, and listen to the audio. It’s quite long so just give yourself time to listen to it meditatively. Really absorb what he’s saying and hear the words that he speaks. I actually will frequently read along silently while I listen to him. I’ve also included a link to the words if you want to read it. You can hear him recite it at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRVu1exlui0. The link for the pdf is https://avemariaradio.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Jesus-I-Thirst.pdf.)
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, August 22, 2020
There was a great post on Aleteia this week written by Fr. Edward Looney in the Diocese of Green Bay, encouraging us all to pray for our priests. Check it out: https://aleteia.org/2020/08/21/try-this-prayer-and-these-petitions-to-pray-for-priests/
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 8/23 Fr. William Michatek
MONDAY 8/24 Fr. Justin Miller
TUESDAY 8/25 Fr. William Moorby
WEDNESDAY 8/26 Fr. Peter Mottola
THURSDAY 8/27 Fr. Anthony Mugavero
FRIDAY 8/28 Fr. Thomas Mull
SATURDAY 8/29 Inactive& Sabbatical Priests
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about our dear late Fr. Mac and his 65th Anniversary of Ordination, and then a friend came across the prayer card from that same Mass. So this week’s prayer is actually more of a reflection, taken from that card and written by Emmanuel Cardinal Shard:
“My friends, the priest is not an angel. In the first place, not by his nature, for an angel is pure spirit who enjoys the Beatific Vision and is immune from sin, which he has rejected once for all. The priest is a man like any other human being, composed of body and soul. He experiences hunger, weariness and the burden of age. He even, alas, knows the sting of sin and though one may rightly speak of sanctity, it is with reference to a sanctity in the making; a striving for sanctity, virtue in combat. “The priest and the angel also differ in their respective roles. It is true that both are worshippers and servants of God and that both are delegated to help mankind. But, whereas the angel is a temporary messenger limited to an occasional task, the priest is charged with a continuous mission which is inherent in his priesthood; he is in a permanent manner the two-way channel to God and from God.”
Fr. Mac, pray for us, and especially all of your brother priests!
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, August 16, 2020
We all know that we are living in crazy times. Recently, there have been so many examples of Satan’s attempted attacks on the Church, and especially the priesthood. Aging, so many lost to Covid, overworked, tempted. But this is also the season of ordinations. We have new priests – thank You, God – to be supported by all of our prayers as well.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 8/16 Fr. Kevin Mannara
MONDAY 8/17 Fr. Joseph Marcoux
TUESDAY 8/18 Fr. Michael Mayer
WEDNESDAY 8/19 All Missionaries
THURSDAY 8/20 Fr. Joseph McCaffrey
FRIDAY 8/21 Fr. Daniel McMullen
SATURDAY 8/22 Fr. Michael Merritt
Our prayer this week is a prayer for protection against temptation:
Righteous Father in heaven, we pray for all of Your priests. We know that there is a dark force out there that is opposed to You and to them. It is an invisible enemy who tries to discourage them or use others to do the same. Please help them to recognize when they’re under spiritual attacks so that they can be prepared to use the armor that You have provided for them. We also ask for Your protection from those they come in contact with as they live out their vocations. It seems that the world is growing more wicked every day and is a lot like Noah’s day when all they thought about was doing evil. It is getting harder every day Lord for them to live for You so help them to resist the temptation to compromise and to stand firm on what they know is true. In the glorious name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, August 8, 2020
Happy Feast of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 8/9 Fr. James Lawlor
MONDAY 8/10 Fr. William Leone
TUESDAY 8/11 Fr. Christopher Linsler
WEDNESDAY 8/12 Fr. Frank Lioi
THURSDAY 8/13 Fr. John Loncle
FRIDAY 8/14 Fr. Bernard Maloney
SATURDAY 8/15 Fr. Gerard D’Souza
Our prayer this week:
Divine Grace, which always heals that which is infirm and supplies that which is lacking, has called our beloved brothers to sacred ministry. Let us pray that they be confirmed and strengthened with the grace of the Holy Spirit. Fill them with grace and counsel, that they may love You with all their hearts, all their minds, and all their strength. Grant them irreproachable conduct, steadfast faith, and good works so that they may help and guide Your people with unselfish motivation. Grant them wisdom, let their minds be sober and watchful, so that they may be filled with works of healing and words of instruction. May they teach Your people in meekness and serve You in holiness with an undivided mind and a willing soul. May they be the light of Your only begotten Son that the word of Your gospel may be spread and Your name may be glorified in every creature. May they serve at Your holy altar with pure hearts and good consciences. Grant that they may prosper in all Your commandments and the keeping of Your laws, so that they may be able to minister joyfully on the day of Your coming. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday August 2, 2020
I realized this afternoon that I used the same prayer twice last month. I’m sorry.
The priests we are praying for this week in the Diocese of Rochester are:
SUNDAY 8/2 Pope Francis
MONDAY 8/3 Fr. William Laird
TUESDAY 8/4 Fr. Steven Lape
WEDNESDAY 8/5 Fr. Charles Latus
THURSDAY 8/6 All Deacons
FRIDAY 8/7 Vocations& Seminarians
SATURDAY 8/8 Deceased Priests
Our prayer this week:
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Guard the kingdom of Thy Vicar on earth, our chief bishop. Pray for and intercede for the clergy. Give them strength against their enemies and yours. Give courage to the fearful; joy to those that mourn; peace to the contrite of heart; perseverance to the just. Let them all experience thy protection, Virgin and Mother. Through thee the nations are brought to repentance, the demons are put to flight. They that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death are filled with the knowledge and love of Thy Son.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, July 25, 2020
Happy Feast of St. Hyacinth.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 7/26 Fr. Stephen Karani
MONDAY 7/27 Fr. Winfred Kellner
TUESDAY 7/28 Fr. Robert Kennedy
WEDNESDAY 7/29 Fr. Roy Kiggins
THURSDAY 7/30 Fr. Stephen Kraus
FRIDAY 7/31 Fr. Robert Kreckel
SATURDAY 8/1 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer this week: O Blessed Lady of the Tears, we entrust and consecrate the priesthood to your Immaculate Heart! During this time of trial and suffering, we pray that you renew the priesthood by making priests holy in imitation of the Heart of the Good Shepherd. We pray in reparation for the sins of the priesthood and we pray for all victims of their sins. Grant, O Lady of the Tears, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the priests that they may be authentic witnesses of your Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. May we wipe away your tears by comforting your Immaculate Heart by praying the rosary and adoring the Heart of Jesus your Son in the Most Holy Eucharist present in every Catholic Church in the world. Give all priests and seminarians a deep love and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to you, their loving Mother. Grant that every priest and seminarian will daily spend one hour with Jesus in the Eucharist and daily pray your most holy rosary! Grant all priests and seminarians the gift of purity, the gift of chastity and the gift of the divine love of your Son. May they proclaim the truth without fear, with love and with courage! We ask all of our prayers through the Tears which you shed at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit! Amen!
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, July 19, 2020
Happy Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 7/19 Fr. Timothy Horan
MONDAY 7/20 Fr. James Jaeger
TUESDAY 7/21 Fr. Francis Jones
WEDNESDAY 7/22 All Missionaries
THURSDAY 7/23 Fr. Matthew Jones
FRIDAY 7/24 Fr. Stanley Kacprzak
SATURDAY 7/25 All Deacons
Our prayer this week is by Dom Mark Kirby, Benedictine monk
O my beloved Jesus,I bring Thee the poverty of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst enrich them.I bring Thee the emptiness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst fill them.I bring Thee the coldness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst warm them.I bring Thee the loneliness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst embrace them.I bring Thee the sorrows of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst console them.I bring Thee the illnesses of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst heal them.I bring Thee the impurities of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst wash them clean.I bring Thee the nakedness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst clothe them.I bring Thee the silence of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst speak to them.I bring Thee the brokenness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst repair them.I bring Thee the infirmities of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst heal them.I bring Thee the nothingness of Thy priests that Thou wouldst be their all.I bring Thee the darkness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst illuminate them,I bring Thee the bitterness of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst give them to taste of Thy sweetness.I bring Thee the struggles of Thy priests, that Thou wouldst be victorious in them.I give Thee the blindness of Thy priests that Thou wouldst give them clear vision.I bring Thee the weariness of Thy priests that Thou wouldst be their rest.I bring Thee the thirst of Thy priests that Thou wouldst quench it.I bring Thee the fears of Thy priests that Thou wouldst give them confidence.I give Thee the doubts of Thy priests that Thou wouldst strengthen their faith.I bring Thee the despondency of Thy priests that Thou wouldst infuse them with hope.I bring Thee the sadness of Thy priests that Thou wouldst be their joy.I bring Thee all Thy priests, especially those in their last agony, those who are locked in spiritual combat,and those being tempted to sin against faith and against hope.I bring Thee the death of Thy priests that Thou wouldst be their life eternal.I bring Thee all those priest of Thine for whom Thy presence in the Most Holy Sacrament has become a matter of indifference, of routine, and of neglect.Beloved Lord Jesus, have mercy on those priests of Thine whose minds have grown dark, whose hearts have grown cold, and who have succumbed to the enticements of the world, the weariness of the flesh, and the deceits of the devil.Deliver them all, O Jesus, for they are Thine, and Thou wilt not deny Thine own.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Monday, July 13, 2020
You all are so awesome and forgiving. My apologies, again, for losing track of my days!
The priests we are praying for this week in the Diocese of Rochester are:
SUNDAY 7/13 Fr. Gerard Krieg
MONDAY 7/14 Fr. Frederick Helfrich
TUESDAY 7/15 Fr. Scott Kubinski
WEDNESDAY 7/16 Fr. James Hewes
THURSDAY 7/16 Fr. John Healy
FRIDAY 7/17 Fr. George Heyman
SATURDAY 7/18 Fr. Daniel Holland
Our prayer this week:
Merciful Father, In the name of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and all the saints, we pray that our priests be washed in the Precious Blood of the Lamb and be filled with all the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit. St. Faustina, we pray that they will be blessed by your mission of Divine Mercy, and through your intercession help prepare them to offer themselves totally to Merciful love and be filled with a great love of Divine Mercy. Holy Spirit, Fire of Mercy, inspire them to help save every member our parishes as powerful missionaries of Divine Mercy. We thank You, Heavenly Father, for all the graces and blessings you continue to pour out upon them, and for making them great apostles of Divine Mercy. We pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, July 5, 2020
Good afternoon everyone.
The priests that we are praying for in the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 7/5 Pope Francis
MONDAY 7/6 Fr. Paul Gitau
TUESDAY 7/7 Fr. Edward Golden
WEDNESDAY 7/8 Fr. Lance Gonyo
THURSDAY 7/9 Fr. William Graf
FRIDAY 7/10 Fr. Joseph Hart
SATURDAY 7/11 Fr. John Hayes
Our prayer this week again adapted from a prayer on https://www.catholicdoors.com:
O Blessed Lady of the Tears, we entrust and consecrate the priesthood to your Immaculate Heart! During this time of trial and suffering, we pray that you renew the priesthood by making priests holy in imitation of the Heart of the Good Shepherd. Dry their tears as they struggle with earthly and spiritual battles, and with the challenges faced by their parishes and parishioners. We pray in reparation for the sins of the priesthood and we pray for all victims of their sins. Grant, O Lady of the Tears, an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the priests that they may be authentic witnesses of your Son Jesus Christ Our Lord. May we wipe away your tears by comforting your Immaculate Heart by praying the rosary and adoring the Heart of Jesus your Son in the Most Holy Eucharist present in every Catholic Church in the world. Give all priests and seminarians a deep love and devotion to Jesus in the Eucharist and to you, their loving Mother. Grant that every priest and seminarian will daily spend one hour with Jesus in the Eucharist and daily pray your most holy rosary! Grant all priests and seminarians the gift of purity, the gift of chastity and the gift of the divine love of your Son. May they proclaim the truth without fear, with love and with courage! We ask all of our prayers through the Tears which you shed at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit! Amen!
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie”
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Thanks for your patience everyone. We have the new monthly calendar for July.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 6/28 Fr. John Gagnier
MONDAY 6/29 Fr. Joseph Trovato
TUESDAY 6/30 Fr. Hoan Dinh
WEDNESDAY 7/1 Fr. Jeffrey Galens
THURSDAY 7/2 Fr. John Gathenya
FRIDAY 7/3 Vocations& Seminarians
SATURDAY 7/4 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, June 28, 2020
Happy Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
The priests we are praying for from the Diocese of Rochester this week are:
SUNDAY 6/28 Fr. John Gagnier
MONDAY 6/29 Fr. Joseph Trovato
TUESDAY 6/30 Fr. Hoan Dinh
WEDNESDAY 7/1 \
THURSDAY 7/2 \ We’ll get back to you on these.
FRIDAY 7/3 /
SATURDAY 7/4 /
Our prayer this week is adapted from A PARISH PRIEST’S PRAYER TO MARY MOST HOLY, from the Congregation for the Clergy:
O Mary, Mother of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, Mother of priests, ministers of your Son: accept the humble offering of our priests, so that in their pastoral mission the infinite mercy of the Eternal High Priest may be proclaimed. You who share the “priestly obedience” of your Son, and who prepared for Him a worthy receptacle by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, keep their priestly lives in the ineffable mystery of your divine maternity. Grant them strength in the dark hours of this life, support them in the exertions of their ministry, entrust them to Jesus, so that, in communion with you, they may fulfill the ministry with fidelity and love. Make them faithful to the flock entrusted to them by the Good Shepherd. You silently accompanied Jesus on his mission to proclaim the Gospel to the poor. May they always guide their flocks with patience, sweetness, firmness and love, caring for the sick, the weak, the poor, and sinners. We entrust our priests to you, Mary, who shared in the work of redemption at the Cross of your Son, you who “are inseparably linked to the work of salvation”. Grant that in the exercise of their ministry they may always be aware of the “stupendous and penetrating dimension of your maternal presence”, in every moment of their lives, in prayer, and action, in joy and sorrow, in weariness and in rest. Grant, Holy Mother, that in the celebration of the Eucharist, source and center of the priestly ministry, they may live their closeness to Him, so that as “they celebrate Holy Eucharist you will be present with them” and introduce them to the redemptive mystery of your divine Son’s offering. “O Mediatrix of all grace flowing from this sacrifice to the Church and to all the faithful”, we earnestly desire to place them and their desire for holiness under your maternal protection and inspiration so that you may bring them to that “conformity with Christ, Head and Shepherd” which is necessary for the ministry of every parish priest. Make them aware that “you are always close to priests” in your mission of servant of the One Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, June 20, 2020
“Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1Peter 5:8)
Isn’t that so true, today as much as ever? The first place he looks is at Mother Church, and our faithful clergy. This week there was a tabernacle stolen from a church in North Carolina. On this Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may we implore her protection of our precious priests, bishops and Pope Francis.
The priests of the Diocese of Rochester for whom we will be praying this week are:
SUNDAY 6/21 Fr. Raymond Fleming
MONDAY 6/22 Fr. Jesus Flores
TUESDAY 6/23 Fr. John Forni
WEDNESDAY 6/24 Fr. Michael Fowler
THURSDAY 6/25 Fr. Ralph Fraats
FRIDAY 6/26 Fr. Ronald Gaesser
SATURDAY 6/27 Redemptorist Fathers & Brothers
Our prayer this week is an act of reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
O sweet Jesus, Whose overflowing charity for me is requited by so much forgetfulness, negligence and contempt, behold us prostrate in Your presence eager to repair by a special act of homage the cruel indifference and injuries, to which Your loving Heart is everywhere subject.
Mindful that we ourselves have had a share in such great indignities, which we now deplore from the depths of our hearts, we humbly ask Your pardon. We declare our readiness to atone by voluntary expiation not only for our own personal offenses, but also for the sins of those, who, straying far from the path of salvation, refuse in their obstinate infidelity to follow You, their Shepherd and Leader, or, renouncing the vows of their baptism, have cast off the sweet yoke of Your Law.
We now resolve to expiate every deplorable outrage committed against You; we are determined to make amends for all the foul seductions laid to ensnare the feet of the innocent, for the frequent violations of Sundays and holidays, and the shocking blasphemies uttered against You and Your Saints.
We wish also to make amends for the insults to which Your Vicar on earth and Your priest are subjected, for the profanation, by conscious neglect or terrible acts of sacrilege, of the very Sacrament of Your Divine Love; and lastly for the public crimes of nations who resist the rights and teaching authority of the Church which You have founded. Would, O divine Jesus, we were able to wash away such abominations with our blood.
We now offer, in reparation for these violations of Your divine honor, the satisfaction You once made to Your eternal Father on the cross and which You continue to renew daily on our altars. We offer it in union with the acts of atonement of Your Virgin Mother and all the Saints and of the pious faithful on earth. We sincerely promise to make recompense, as far as we can with the help of Your grace, for all neglect of Your great love and for the sins we and others have committed in the past. Henceforth, we will live a life of unwavering faith, of purity of conduct, of perfect observance of the precepts of the Gospel and especially that of charity. We promise, to the best of our power, to prevent others from offending You and to bring as many as possible to follow You.
O loving Jesus, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, deign to receive the voluntary offering we make of this act of expiation. By the crowning gift of perseverance, keep us faithful unto death in our duty and the allegiance we owe to You, so that we may one day come to that happy home, where You, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you!
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, June 14, 2020
Happy Feast of Corpus Christi!
The priests we are praying for this week in the Diocese of Rochester are:
SUNDAY 6/14 Fr. Frank Falletta
MONDAY 6/15 Fr. Richard Farrell
TUESDAY 6/16 Fr. James Fennessy
WEDNESDAY 6/17 Fr. Frank Jones
THURSDAY 6/18 Fr. John Firpo
FRIDAY 6/19 Deceased Priests
SATURDAY 6/20 Fr. Terence Fleming
Our prayer this week:
Our holy father Pope Francis speaks to us today on the feast of Corpus Christi, beginning with Your words, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (1 Cor 11:24). We are to remember what You have done for us, by becoming man, dying for our salvation, and giving us Your Precious Body as food and Your Precious Blood as drink. You also gave us the holy priesthood, to be able to continue to re-present this sacrifice every day, every hour, in every place. We thank you Lord for the gift of Your Body and Blood, and the gift of our priests that you have given to us, who daily bring You to us. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie& Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, June 7, 2020
A blessed Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity to you all. This week we pray in a special way for all of our priests who are struggling feeling the loss of contact with their parishioners, and those overwhelmed as parishes begin to open back up. It’s been a long time, and we hope they know we miss them just as much.
Our ministry has expanded to include priests not only in the Diocese of Rochester but elsewhere as well. Please click here to see if your Diocese is listed. If it is not and you would like it to be, please contact us. This week’s priests from the Diocese of Rochester are:
SUNDAY 6/7 Pope Francis
MONDAY 6/8 Fr. Frederick Eisemann
TUESDAY 6/9 Fr. Walter Cushing
WEDNESDAY 6/10 Fr. William Endres
THURSDAY 6/11 Fr. Peter Enyan-Boadu
FRIDAY 6/12 Fr. Francis Erb
SATURDAY 6/13 Fr. Thomas Erdle
Our prayer this week is adapted from The Prayer to the Mother of Our Redeemer, again from https://www.catholicdoors.com.
Mother of our Redeemer, with great joy we call you blessed. You believed in the Word of God the Father and declared yourself His handmaid, and so, through you, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. We salute you as Mother, our Mother, the Mother of the Church and the Mother of priests. With what great love you must have watched over the infant Church and what motherly solicitude encouraged the apostles as they committed themselves to carry on the work of Your Divine Son on earth. Make the Church ever to be the sign and instrument of intimate union with God.
To you, our Mother, we entrust in a special way our Bishops and the priests of our Church. They have been given a special sharing in the priesthood of Your Divine Son. He has chosen them to be ministers of His Word and Sacrament. Ask Him to fill them with zeal, to keep them faithful and joyful in His service, conscious of the fact that they care and so bring glory to the Father and honor to the Church.
Holy Mother, increase the ranks of our priests by inspiring our young people to be more generous in their response to serve Jesus in the priesthood and in religious life.
Sustain all of them, O Virgin Mary, on their journey of faith and obtain for them the grace of eternal salvation.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
http://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, May 31, 2020
Happy Pentecost Sunday! Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created. And You will renew the face of the earth.
This week we pray in a special way for all of our priests who continue to lovingly speak God’s Truth. Our ministry has expanded to include priests not only in the Diocese of Rochester but elsewhere. Please click here to see if your Diocese is listed. If it is not and you would like it to be, please contact us. This week’s Diocese of Rochester priests are:
SUNDAY 5/31 Fr. Edward Dillon
MONDAY 6/1 Fr. William Donnelly
TUESDAY 6/2 Fr. Clifford Dorkenoo
WEDNESDAY 6/3 Fr. Lewis Brown
THURSDAY 6/4 Fr. Gerard D’Souza
FRIDAY 6/5 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 6/6 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer this week is from https://www.catholicdoors.com, A Prayer to Mary for Our Priests:
Mary, Mother of the Church, we pray to you for your sons chosen and sent by your Son Jesus to prolong his ministerial priesthood. Come to fill them with the same attention and the same motherly love with which you surrounded your Divine Son Jesus. By your powerful intercession may they receive all the Divine grace which they need to accomplish faithfully the priestly task that has been entrusted to them in the service of God’s People.Come and pray with us, Mary, in this intense prayer of Jesus on the night before his Passion: “May they all be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You, so that the world will believe it was You who sent Me.” [Jn 17:21]. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, May 24, 2020
What a year it has been! Just over a year ago, on May 4, we sent out our very first Weekly Prayers for Priests. We had started our first novena on May 1. Thank you for helping us build a prayer team around all the priests in our lives and in our Church.
Let us pray in a special way this week for all of our priests who continue to make themselves available to hear our confessions and to provide those sweet words, “through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Our ministry has expanded to include priests not only in the Diocese of Rochester but elsewhere. Please click here to see if your Diocese is listed. If it is not and you would like it to be, please contact us.
This week’s Diocese of Rochester priests are:
SUNDAY 5/24 Fr. Bernard Dan
MONDAY 5/25 Fr. Robert Werth
TUESDAY 5/26 Fr. William Darling
WEDNESDAY 5/27 Fr. Joseph DeMaio
THURSDAY 5/28 Fr. John DeSocio
FRIDAY 5/29 Fr. Peter Deckman
SATURDAY 5/30 Fr. Albert Delmonte
Our prayer this week is adapted from a prayer written by St. Pope John Paul II, in recognition of the week in which we celebrated the 100th anniversary of his birth, and this month of Mary.
Prayer for All Priests
O Mother of the Church, I address a special supplication to you for all priests who work on the earth, so that they may become “servants of Christ and administrators of the mysteries of God” (1 Cor 4:1) for the good of their brothers and sisters. Assist them with your protection, and may their example be the seed of many holy vocations. May the Word of God, who became Man in your virginal womb through the power of the Holy Spirit, grow in our hearts and radiate forth more extensively for the salvation of the whole world. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, May 16, 2020
It has certainly been a bit difficult to focus on prayer these days, for all of us. Although we believe that God has a greater plan for our purification, who among us doesn’t want this to end? The sad truth is that many of us have lost jobs. Our priests have lost many aspects of their ministry, too, but for them, it’s not simply a job but a vocation. Their vocation is who they are, rather than a way to make a living or a set of tasks to perform. They are ordained by a bishop in an unbroken line of Apostolic succession all the way back to Jesus’ Apostles. When they perform the sacraments, they are in persona Christi. We can never understand fully how this must be for them, to be hindered in carrying out their ministries, being Christ’s representatives as shepherds of His flock. Let’s continue to pray for our priests’ mental and emotional health, and for a renewal of their own vocations in this time. Let us also pray that those men who are being called by God to the vocation of priesthood will hear and say “yes” to Him.
Our ministry has expanded to include priests not only in the Diocese of Rochester but elsewhere. Please click here to see if your Diocese is listed. If it is not and you would like it to be, please contact us. This week’s Diocese of Rochester priests are:
SUNDAY 5/17 Inactive & Sabbatical Priests
MONDAY 5/18 Fr. William Cosgrove
TUESDAY 5/19 Fr. Michael Costik
WEDNESDAY 5/20 Fr. Charles Curran
THURSDAY 5/21 Basilian Fathers
FRIDAY 5/22 Fr. Donald Curtiss
SATURDAY 5/23 Fr. Bernard Dollen
Our prayer this week is adapted from the vesting prayers found in the 1962 Roman Missal. The Vatican website has a great reference for more information about these very specific prayers.
Give strength to the hands of our beloved priests, Lord, to wipe away all stain, so that they may be able to serve Thee in purity of mind and body. Set the helmet of salvation on their heads to fend off all the assaults of the devil. Make them clean, O Lord, and purify their hearts; that being made white in the Blood of the Lamb they may deserve an eternal reward. Gird them, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and quench in their hearts the fire of concupiscence, that the virtue of continence and chastity may abide in them. May they deserve, O Lord, to bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow in order that they may joyfully reap the reward of their labors. Lord, restore the stole of immortality, which they have lost through the collusion of our first parents, and, unworthy as they are to approach Thy sacred mysteries, may they yet gain eternal joy. O Lord, who has said, “My yoke is sweet and My burden light,” grant that they may so carry it as to merit Thy grace. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, May 9, 2020
First of all, we just want to let you know we love hearing from you. This has been so hard, hasn’t it? We can’t wait to get back to Mass again and for our lives to assume some form of normalcy. When we can finally resume public Mass, we had all better plan some extra time those first few weeks back – we won’t want to leave!
This week, we particularly want to remember the many special COVID-19 Priest Response Teams bringing the Anointing of the Sick and Last Rites to those who need it. These selfless priests in many dioceses around the world have been specially trained and assigned for this ministry. They are quarantining in designated rectories to be able to reach out to hospitals and nursing homes to care for the most vulnerable among us. Please consider offering extra prayers for them, for protection and good health. Never underestimate the power of one single prayer said in faith!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 5/10 Bishop Emeritus Matthew Clark
MONDAY 5/11 Fr. Peter Clifford
TUESDAY 5/12 Fr. William Coffas
WEDNESDAY 5/13 Fr. Michael Conboy
THURSDAY 5/14 Fr. Daniel Condon
FRIDAY 5/15 Fr. Patrick Connor
SATURDAY 5/16 Fr. Brian Cool
Our prayer for this week is an adaptation of St. Teresa of Avila’s bookmark prayer:
O God, watch over our holy priests. Let nothing disturb them; let nothing frighten them. All things are passing. You, God, never change. Patience obtains all things. Nothing is wanting to him who possesses God. God alone suffices. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, May 3, 2020
We hope that you are all staying well.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 5/3 Pope Francis
MONDAY 5/4 Fr. Joseph Catanise
TUESDAY 5/5 Fr. Scott Caton
WEDNESDAY 5/6 Fr. Thomas Celso
THURSDAY 5/7 Fr. Lee Chase
FRIDAY 5/8 Fr. Jeffrey Chichester
SATURDAY 5/9 Fr. Augustine Chumo
During this time of pandemic, may we also pray in particular for all priests who have died of the virus, and all who are still in ICU’s or still sick.
Our prayer for this week:
Lord Jesus, You have chosen Your priests among us, and have sent them to proclaim Your Word and to act in Your Name. For such a great gift to Your Church, we praise You and we thank You. We ask that You fill them with the fire of Your love, that their ministry may reveal Your presence in the Church. Since they are earthen vessels, we pray that Your power may work in their weakness. In their afflictions do not let them be crushed; in their doubts, do not let them despair; in temptation, do not let them be destroyed. Inspire them through prayer to live each day the mystery of your death and Resurrection. In times of weakness, send them Your Spirit and help them to praise Your heavenly Father and to pray for poor sinners. With the same Holy Spirit, place Your word on their lips and Your love in their hearts, that they may bring the Good News to the poor and revive the broken-hearted. Lastly, may the gift of Mary, Your mother, to the disciple whom You loved, be Your gift to every priest. Grant that she, who formed You in Your human image, may form each priest in Your divine image, through the power of Your Spirit, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, April 25, 2020
Happy Third Sunday of Easter.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 4/26 Fr. Richard Brickler
MONDAY 4/27 Benedictine Fathers
TUESDAY 4/28 Fr. Michael Brown
WEDNESDAY 4/29 Fr. Timothy Brown
THURSDAY 4/30 Fr. James Burke
FRIDAY 5/1 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 5/2 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Our prayer for this week:
Heavenly Father, grant that our priests be strengthened and healed by the power of the Eucharist they celebrate. May the Word they proclaim give them courage and wisdom. We pray that all those whom they seek to serve may see in them the love and care of Jesus, Our Eternal High Priest, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Mary, Mother of the Church, look tenderly upon your sons, our priests. St Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, pray for us all. Amen.
Have a prayerful week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Sunday, April 19, 2020
Blessed Divine Mercy Sunday!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 4/19 Fr. Roman Caly
MONDAY 4/20 Fr. Dennis Bonsignore
TUESDAY 4/21 Fr. Robert Bourcy
WEDNESDAY 4/22 Fr. James Boyle
THURSDAY 4/23 Fr. Robert Bradler
FRIDAY 4/24 Fr. Alexander Bradshaw
SATURDAY 4/25 Fr. Paul Brennan
Our prayer for this week adapted from St. Faustina:
Dearest Jesus, You instituted the priesthood and gave us the Holy Eucharist in Your Last Supper with your Disciples. Do not let our holy priests fall into despair. Guide them to confide in You, our God, who are Love and Mercy. During the unique Easter season which we are currently experiencing, please console the hearts of our priests as they celebrate Masses without the faithful present. Make them fervent in their prayers for your Church as our prayers are fervent for them.
In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen.
Have a prayerful week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, April 11, 2020
Sitting in Vigil is a quiet time. We wait in hopeful expectation of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As we wait even more silently this year, may we keep our humble priests in prayer. May they feel our love, support and prayers as they pray for us, this holy night and always.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 4/12 Fr. Thomas Dugan
MONDAY 4/13 Fr. Peter Helfrich
TUESDAY 4/14 Fr. Christopher Manuele
WEDNESDAY 4/15 Fr. Peter Morello
THURSDAY 4/16 Fr. Eugene O’Hara
FRIDAY 4/17 Fr. Thomas Travers
SATURDAY 4/18 Fr. Brian Carpenter
This week’s prayer:
Lord Jesus, great High Priest who upon Calvary and at the table of the Last Supper prepared for the sacrifice of the Mass. We beg Your blessing upon those priests whom You have chosen to carry out Your priestly work. They are human, but they must occupy a divine office. They must stand as Your substitute before the eyes of the people. Their hands must be pure enough to draw You down from heaven and strong enough to lift the people to Your heights. They must speak the truth with courage. Their lives must be Christlike, their mercy and tenderness modeled on Yours. I pray that You, who in the Eucharist depend on them, will give Your priests the graces that they need. Give to young men a compelling vocation to serve You. Give to priests the desire to do well their work, Your work. Make us respectful, reverent and appreciative toward them. Grant them the grace to be priests not unworthy of You, our High Priest. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, April 4, 2020
We are all about to experience a Holy Week unlike any other. Please pray for the strength of, and in thanksgiving for, all of our priests who will be celebrating private Masses at a time when our churches should be full.
We prepare to remember Christ’s Passion on Palm Sunday this year from our homes, our living rooms, our bedrooms, and not in our churches. It’s almost inconceivable that we will not be able to be with our priests tomorrow and enter into Holy Week with the reading of the Passion. There will be no Maundy Thursday Mass where we remember the institution of the Eucharist and place the Blessed Sacrament in repose, nor will we be able to venerate together the Wood of the Cross on Good Friday. How hard it must be for our priests, to say these Masses and services alone. But we know they are praying for us, and we of course are praying for them. Truly, Christ is giving each of us a share in His Passion as we move through this time of crisis in our holiest time of year.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 4/5 Pope Francis
MONDAY 4/6 Fr. Richard Crawley
TUESDAY 4/7 Fr. Albert Cylwicki
WEDNESDAY 4/8 Fr. August Deasio
THURSDAY 4/9 All Deacons
FRIDAY 4/10 Deceased Priests
SATURDAY 4/12 All Missionaries
This week’s prayer by Pope Benedict XVI:
Lord Jesus Christ, eternal High Priest, you offered yourself to the Father on the altar of the cross and through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit gave your priestly people a share in your redeeming sacrifice. Hear our prayer for the sanctification of our priests. Grant that all who are ordained to the ministerial priesthood may be ever more conformed to you, the Divine Master. May they preach the Gospel with pure heart and clear conscience. Let them be shepherds according to your own heart, single-minded in service to you and to the Church, and shining examples of a holy, simple, and joyful life. Through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, your Mother and ours, draw all priests and the flocks entrusted to their care to the fullness of eternal life where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, March 28, 2020
Have you all seen some of the creative ways our priests around the world are working through this crisis? Many of our priests and bishops, including Pope Francis, are live streaming Mass so that we can still “be there”, even if it’s not in person. Eucharistic Adoration IS available on line from several parishes around the world. We know it’s not the same, but we really appreciate it being available. One priest in Italy asked to be allowed to temporarily go back to his pre-seminarian job as a doctor. And the list goes on. How blessed we are to have shepherds who love us this much!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 3/29 Fr. Dennis Billy
MONDAY 3/30 Fr. Sylvester Bioh
TUESDAY 3/31 Fr. Paul Bonacci
WEDNESDAY 4/1 Fr. Philip Brockmyre
THURSDAY 4/2 Fr. John Colacino
FRIDAY 4/3 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 4/4 Bishop Salvatore Matano
This week’s prayer:
Our Lady of the precious blood, watch over the living chalices of the blood of Jesus. Amen.
Lord Jesus, by the Precious Blood shed and by painful scourging, shield with Your own special protection and that of Your Immaculate mother, all the ministers of the sanctuary, so that having renounced the goods of earth in order to belong entirely to You, they may everyday offer and receive Your Body and Blood with such pious dispositions as to enable You to find in their hearts “a paradise of delight.”
Lord Jesus, by Your Precious Blood shed on the way to Calvary, take pity on priests who are victims of Injustice and who, like their adorable Model, receive in return for their devotedness, but crosses, trials and persecutions.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, March 21, 2020
Many of us are unable to attend Mass during this time of social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It is an unexpected Lenten desert experience – to go without receiving Jesus. For those who are still able to go to Mass, please pray an extra prayer of thanksgiving. To all priests who are suddenly saying Masses without parishioners, thank you for keeping us all in your prayers. Know that you are in ours. And to the rest of us, while we cannot receive Jesus sacramentally, we can still make an act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 3/22 Fr. Victor Bartolotta
MONDAY 3/23 Fr. Michael Bausch
TUESDAY 3/24 Fr. Peter Bayer
WEDNESDAY 3/25 Fr. Richard Beligotti
THURSDAY 3/26 Fr. Robert Beligotti
FRIDAY 3/27 Fr. Robert Benitez
SATURDAY 3/28 Fr. Philip Billotte
This week’s prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal High Priest, it is Your holy Will to associate with Yourself in Your priestly office other men to whom You entrust the most sublime of all human ministries. Have pity, most kind Jesus, on all the priests of holy Mother Church. Give them a love for You that is so great and warm, it may fill their whole beings with fervor and zeal, and make even the most difficult tasks easy and light for Your love. Have pity in particular, dear Lord, on all those priests who are spent and weary, discouraged or desolate, or who labor under some special trial, temptation or sorrow. Visit them with Your efficacious graces and consolations. Kindle their hearts with the fire that burns in Your own most Sacred Heart.
Keep them from sin, comfort them in every affliction, give them health and vigor of body and soul, that they may do effectively the work You give them. Remind us to pray for them often. Help us to cooperate with their efforts. Grant, sweet Jesus, that all who are Your priests on earth may come, holy and pure, to the glory of Your heavenly kingdom, with all their faithful flocks, to rejoice in the vision of Your Eternal Loveliness, who, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, world without end. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, March 14, 2020
Hi, everyone. These are trying times that we are currently living in. Some may find it hard to stay focused on our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ during these difficulties. He is exactly that. The Lord of all. And our Savior. This is nothing the world hasn’t been through before. How many saints there have been who rushed in while others rushed out. St. Charles Borromeo , St. Roch, St. Henry Morse, Bl. Peter Donders, St. Marianne Cope and Bl. Francis X. Seelos are just a few of our saintly brothers and sisters who loved and cared for those suffering during plagues in their lifetimes and we can call on to intercede for us during ours.
This week’s priests are:
SUNDAY 3/15 All Missionaries
MONDAY 3/16 All Deacons
TUESDAY 3/17 Ronald Antinarelli
WEDNESDAY 3/18 Frederick Asuming
THURSDAY 3/19 Joseph Trovato
FRIDAY 3/20 Theodore Auble
SATURDAY 3/21 William Barrett
Our prayer:
Heavenly Father, we know You will not abandon us. You have made us to live in this time for a purpose. Help us to be a model of Christian love for the world. Give our priests extra strength of body, heart and soul as they serve us, especially as they visit the sick and infirm. In community with Pope Francis, we pray today for pastors who need to accompany Your people during this crisis. May you grant them the strength and the ability to choose the best ways to help. We pray that the Holy Spirit might grant pastoral discernment to pastors so that they might perceive measures that might not leave Your holy, faithful people alone, and so that we might feel accompanied by our priests. Amen.
St. Joseph, pray for us.
Here are some verses from the Bible to remind us of His perpetual care:
“He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague.”
(Psalm 91:3)
“Lord, take note of me; heal me, although I have sinned against you.”
(Psalm 41:5)
“Heal me, Lord, that I may be healed; save me, that I may be saved,
for you are my praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)
And as we say every day at Mass, around world and around the clock
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof;
only say the word and my servant will be healed.” (Matthew 8:8)
Be well and God bless,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, March 7, 2020
Happy feast of St. Leander of Seville!
(https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-leander-of-seville/)
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 3/8 Fr. Thomas Wheeland
MONDAY 3/9 Fr. Daniel E. White
TUESDAY 3/10 Inactive & Sabbatical Priests
WEDNESDAY 3/11 Fr. Daniel L. White
THURSDAY 3/12 Fr. Mitchell Zygadlo
FRIDAY 3/13 Fr. William Amann
SATURDAY 3/14 Fr. Anthony Amato
This week’s prayer, based on a prayer by IRL:
Mystical Rose, Queen of Apostles, bless your priests with sanctification and superabundant grace, and grant that those called to the priesthood of your Son may, by the holiness of their lives and their ardent love for souls, extend the Kingdom of your Son throughout the World. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, February 29, 2020
Have we told you all lately how grateful we are that you have joined us in this ministry? We love that you are all praying along with us for all of our priests!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 3/1 Pope Francis
MONDAY 3/2 Fr. Walter Wainwright
TUESDAY 3/3 Fr. Matthew Walter
WEDNESDAY 3/4 Fr. Eugene Weis
THURSDAY 3/5 Fr. Robert Werth
FRIDAY 3/6 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 3/7 Bishop Salvatore Matano
This week’s prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, who dost call chosen souls to offer Thee in sacrifice and to assist Thee in saving souls, I beseech Thee to grant our priests this high grace; make them carefully to prepare their hearts to receive it and to keep themselves pure and lowly that Thou mayest call them to serve Thee at Thine altar. Amen.
O Mary, Mother of God, the mother of all priests, and our mother too, obtain for them this grace from the Sacred Heart of thy dear Son. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday, February 22, 2020
Happy Feast of Saint Oswald of Worcester. He’s one of our few saints whose feast day is February 29. He was tireless in reforming abuses and guiding his dioceses in faith, and gives us a great Lenten example of caring for others. You can learn more about him at http://celticsaints.org/2009/0228e.html.
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 2/23 Michael Twardzik
MONDAY 2/24 Gary Tyman
TUESDAY 2/25 Michael Upson
WEDNESDAY 2/26 Peter Van Lieshout
THURSDAY 2/27 Louis Vasile
FRIDAY 2/28 John Vu
SATURDAY 2/29 All Deacons
This week’s prayer:
Father, as we prepare to begin the Lenten season, we ask you to bring home your wayward sheep this Lent, that our brothers and sisters in Christ may return to your flock, the Church. We ask you to inspire our priests with the words of reconciliation and truth to help bring them home. Please also give our priests the stamina to lead and support the devotions of your Church during Lent. Most of all, Lord, we beseech you to sanctify your priests, that they, too, may make a holy Lent toward celebrating the Resurrection at Easter. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God forever. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Laurie & Elena
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Sunday, February 16, 2020
Happy Feast of St. Conrad of Piacenza
(https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-conrad-of-piacenza/)
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 2/16 Deceased Priests
MONDAY 2/17 Edison Tayag
TUESDAY 2/18 David Tedesche
WEDNESDAY 2/19 Matthew Temple
THURSDAY 2/20 Paul Tomasso
FRIDAY 2/21 Daniel Tormey
SATURDAY 2/22 Jeffrey Tunnicliff
This week’s prayer:
Almighty God, we pray that your grace may assist them in the ministerial priesthood to serve you worthily and devoutly, in complete purity, and in good conscience. And if they are unable to live their lives with such innocence, grant that they weep bitterly over the evil they have done. Grant that they may serve you ever fervently with a spirit of humility, with right intention of good will. They ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Have a blessed week everyone,
Laurie & Elena
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Saturday, February 8, 2020
Happy Feast Day of St. Josephine Bakhita
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 2/9 Michael Schramel
MONDAY 2/10 Joseph Schwartz
TUESDAY 2/11 Feliciano Sierotowicz
WEDNESDAY 2/12 Evan Simington
THURSDAY 2/13 Louis Sirianni
FRIDAY 2/14 William Spilly
SATURDAY 2/15 Thomas Statt
Our prayer this week:
Father in heaven, we implore your protection and blessing on all persecuted Christians, especially those priests who serve in areas like the country of Sudan, the birthplace of St. Jospehine Bahkita, which are dangerous for Catholics, or in other difficult pastoral situations. Through the intercession of St. Josephine, grant our priests the strength, wisdom, and support to continually attend to the souls of their flocks. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
For more information on St. Josephine Bakhita: https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/st-josephine-bakhita-and-the-door-to-holiness-2-2/1323/
Have a blessed week,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Saturday, February 1, 2020
Happy Feast of the Presentation of the Lord!
This week’s priests are:
SUNDAY 2/2 Pope Francis
MONDAY 2/3 Edward Salmon
TUESDAY 2/4 Carlos Sanchez
WEDNESDAY 2/5 Siriam Sadhanala
THURSDAY 2/6 Joseph Sasso
FRIDAY 2/7 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 2/8 Robert Schrader
Our prayer this week is titled “An Oblate’s Prayer” which I found on the site of another apostolate praying for our priests, http://www.prayerhelpersofthepreciousblood.org.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all of Your priests, and we ask You to keep them all safe in Your loving care. Our Lady of the Precious Blood, watch over the living chalices of the Blood of Your Son, Jesus. We pray you, protect your priestly sons from Satan’s deadliest snares. Holy Mary, intercede for your priests. St. Joseph, guide them. St. Margaret Clitherow, protect them from persecution. St. John Vianney, pray for their sanctification. St. Michael the Archangel, defend them in battle. Be their protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray, and do thou, Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of their priestly souls. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, January 26, 2020
Happy first Word of God Sunday!
Our priests this week:
SUNDAY 1/26 John Reif
MONDAY 1/27 Leo Reinhardt
TUESDAY 1/28 Robert Reiser
WEDNESDAY 1/29 Michael Merritt
THURSDAY 1/30 Daniel Ruiz
FRIDAY 1/31 Deceased Priests
SATURDAY 2/1 Bishop Salvatore Matano
Pope Francis has established today as Word of God Sunday, to be celebrated each Third Sunday of Ordinary Time.
Our prayer:
Almighty God, St. John tells us that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” St. Luke describes how the Risen Jesus appeared to His disciples, and how “He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.” St. Jerome, the man who translated most of the Bible into Latin, famously said that “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” Guide your priests as they explain Sacred Scripture and help us to understand it. Fill their hearts and minds with Your Holy Spirit to imbue their homilies with sacramental character of Your Living Word. Keep them always mindful of the unbreakable bond between Sacred Scripture and the Eucharist, the way by which Christ opens our minds and hearts to accept His saving work in our lives. Amen.
Have a blessed week,
Elena & Laurie
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Sunday, January 19, 2020
Happy memorial of St. Fabian!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 1/19 Symon Peter Ntaiyia
MONDAY 1/20 Malachi Nwosu
TUESDAY 1/21 John O’Connor
WEDNESDAY 1/22 All Deacons
THURSDAY 1/23 Edward Palumbos
FRIDAY 1/24 Pius Pathmarajah
SATURDAY 1/25 Jorge Ramirez
This week’s prayer is to Saint Fabian, Pope and Martyr, c. 200 – 250. He reigned as pope for fourteen years before being martyred at the order of Emperor Decius, roughly 65 years before Emperor Constantine declared Christianity to be legal in the Roman Empire. Decius tried to kill the Church by cutting off the head. It didn’t work. Let us ask Fabian’s intercession to strengthen the witness of our priests.
Pope St. Fabian, your papal death proved to the faithful that their leaders personally accepted what they demanded of others, and it proved to the leaders of the world that we willingly share in the death and resurrection of Christ. Help us and our priests to be further links in the Church’s long chain of Christian witnesses. May your martyrdom inspire such fervent commitment in our priests who bring us the sacraments, without which the Church would cease to be.
Have a great week,
Elena & Laurie
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, January 12, 2020
Blessed Feast of the Baptism of the Lord!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 1/12 John Mulligan
MONDAY 1/13 Kevin Murphy
TUESDAY 1/14 Tom Nellis
WEDNESDAY 1/15 Inactive & Sabbatical Priests
THURSDAY 1/16 All Missionaries
FRIDAY 1/17 Timothy Niven
SATURDAY 1/18 Anthony Nketiah
Our prayer:
O Almighty and Eternal God, look upon the Face of Thy Christ, and for love of Him Who is the eternal High-priest, have pity on Thy priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the Bishop’s hands. Keep them close to Thee, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.
Let Thy holy love protect them from the world’s contagion. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they minister on earth be one day their joy and consolation in heaven. Amen.
Praising God for the gifts of our baptisms,
Laurie & Elena
https://prayersforpriests.com/
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Sunday, January 5, 2020
Happy Feast of the Epiphany to you all!
Our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 1/5 Pope Francis
MONDAY 1/6 Justin Miller
TUESDAY 1/7 William Michatek
WEDNESDAY 1/8 William Moorby
THURSDAY 1/9 Peter Mottola
FRIDAY 1/10 Anthony Mugavero
SATURDAY 1/11 Thomas Mull
Our prayer:
Most beloved Jesus, with a singular benevolence you have called them from among thousands of men to follow you in the excellence of priestly dignity. O good Jesus, make them priests after your own Heart. We beg you to give them the divine strength to rightly fulfill their ministry. We implore you, Lord Jesus, to daily renew the grace given to them through the imposition of the hands of the Bishop. O most powerful Doctor of Souls, heal them so that they may not fall back into evil, that they may flee from every sin, and that they may do what is pleasing in your eyes until the hour of their death. Amen.
With the blessings of the season,
Laurie & Elena
http://prayersforpriests.com
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Saturday December 28, 2019
In this octave of Christmas, our priests this week are:
SUNDAY 12/29 Carsen Martensen
MONDAY 12/30 Michael Mayer
TUESDAY 12/31 Joseph McCaffrey
WEDNESDAY 1/1 William McGrath
THURSDAY 1/2 Daniel McMullin
FRIDAY 1/3 Vocations & Seminarians
SATURDAY 1/4 Bishop Salvatore Matano
And our prayer for all priests, especially now at Christmas:
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, give all priests Thy spirit of humility;
Jesus, poor and worn out for souls, give all priests Thy spirit of zeal;
Jesus, full of patience and mercy for sinners, give all priests Thy spirit of compassion;
Jesus, victim for the sins of the world, give all priests Thy spirit of sacrifice;
Jesus, lover of the little and the poor, give all priests Thy spirit of charity.
Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us and obtain for us numerous and holy priests and religious. Amen.
Have a happy (and safe) New Year,
Laurie & Elena
http://prayersforpriests.com
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