Opening Prayer:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Our Mission Prayer
Lord Jesus, just as you commissioned St. Simon and St. Jude to
“Go therefore and make disciples”, you are calling us to do the same!
May we respond to you by welcoming all to be part of our Eucharistic Community as we strive to grow in our knowledge, love, and service to God and to one another.
Loving Father, fill us with the power of your Holy Spirit so that we can
go forth proclaiming the Good News to all.
The Day Spiritual Reading:
A Quote from Cardinal Dinardo When Introducing
The Pastoral Planning Process:
“You know what we need to develop [in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)] is a kind of spirituality of being in communion, being brothers and sisters to one another, recognizing the uniqueness of individual persons, of the richness of the ethnic groups that are in the archdiocese, and even the richness of those who need to be invited, perhaps some of those who have walked away or have never heard the gospel message…
Especially the notion of welcoming entered here…
We have so many people who not only have different cultures but different languages who are all part of our local church. In fact, it is a tag of honour for our archdiocese that we celebrate Mass on the weekend in upwards to 16 different languages.
We need to nurture one another; this means stretching our hearts a little bit, stretching our generosity not just of our treasure but most importantly stretching the treasure of our hearts.”
“You know what we need to develop [in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)] is a kind of spirituality of being in communion, being brothers and sisters to one another, recognizing the uniqueness of individual persons, of the richness of the ethnic groups that are in the archdiocese, and even the richness of those who need to be invited, perhaps some of those who have walked away or have never heard the gospel message…
Especially the notion of welcoming entered here…
We have so many people who not only have different cultures but different languages who are all part of our local church. In fact, it is a tag of honour for our archdiocese that we celebrate Mass on the weekend in upwards to 16 different languages.
We need to nurture one another; this means stretching our hearts a little bit, stretching our generosity not just of our treasure but most importantly stretching the treasure of our hearts.”
“You know what we need to develop [in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston)] is a kind of spirituality of being in communion, being brothers and sisters to one another, recognizing the uniqueness of individual persons, of the richness of the ethnic groups that are in the archdiocese, and even the richness of those who need to be invited, perhaps some of those who have walked away or have never heard the gospel message…
Especially the notion of welcoming entered here…
We have so many people who not only have different cultures but different languages who are all part of our local church. In fact, it is a tag of honour for our archdiocese that we celebrate Mass on the weekend in upwards to 16 different languages.
We need to nurture one another; this means stretching our hearts a little bit, stretching our generosity not just of our treasure but most importantly stretching the treasure of our hearts.”
The Day Topic: Welcoming Neighbors
Inspired by Cardinal DiNardo, we are reminded that through Christ we enter into a Spirituality of Communion where we welcome all to become part of the Body of Christ
The Day Reflection:
Quote from Cardinal DiNardo when introducing the AD Pastoral Planning Process:
“You know what we need to develop (in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston) is a kind of spirituality of being in communion, being brothers and sisters to one another, recognizing the uniqueness of individual persons, of the richness of the ethnic groups that are in the archdiocese, and even the richness of those who need to be invited, perhaps some of those who have walked away or have never heard the gospel message . . .Especially the notion of welcoming entered here . . . We have so many people who not only have different cultures but different languages who are all part of our local church. In fact it is a tag of honor for our archdiocese that we celebrate mass on the weekend in upwards to 16 different languages. We need to nurture one another, this means stretching our hearts a little bit, stretching our generosity not just of our treasure but most importantly stretching the treasure of our hearts.”
Silent Reflection Followed by Optional Sharing
I. What makes our community unique?
II. In his apostolic letter, Novo Millennio Ineunte, n. 43, Pope John Paul II said that: “A spirituality of communion indicates above all the heart’s contemplation of the mystery of the Trinity dwelling in us, and whose light we must also be able to see shining on the face of the brothers and sisters around us.”
How do we live in a spirituality of communion in our community?
III. What is one way you can welcome your neighbor in the spirit of communion?
(State Your Intentions Here…)
Say: 1 Our Father… !0 Hail Marys… 1 Glory be to…
Concluding Prayer:
Novena Prayer
Father God, you revealed yourself to us through the preaching of your apostles Simon and Jude. By their prayers, give your Church continued growth and increase the number of those who believe in you.
O Glorious Saint Simon, you were a cousin of Jesus and a devoted follower as well. You were called “the Zealot,” indicating that you were willing to give your life for your religion and your freedom as a human person. Obtain for us the grace to be willing to give our lives for Christ and to labour for the freedom and peace that only God can give. Help us to spend ourselves for God on earth and be received by him in eternal bliss in heaven.
O Glorious St. Jude, you were honoured to be a cousin as well as a follower of Jesus, and you wrote an Epistle in which you said: “Grow strong in your holy faith through prayer in the Holy Spirit.” Obtain for us the grace of being people of faith and people of prayer. Let us be so attached to the three Divine Persons through faith and prayer on earth that we may be united with them in the glory of the beatific vision in heaven.
Our Glorious Patrons, with faith in your goodness, we ask for your help today. As Christ’s chosen Apostles, you remain pillars and foundations of His Church on earth. You are counted, we know, among the elders who always stand before God’s throne.
From your place of glory, we know you do not forget the needs and difficulties of Christ’s little ones here, still struggling, like us, on the way home to God. Please intercede for us all, gracious St. Simon and St. Jude, and be with us in our daily toil and in all our necessities, especially that we become the people of our Vision Statement.
In Christ’s name, we appeal to you again today. Amen.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
