St. Cloud Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at 25008 Mary St., Paynesville, MN 56362 US - YEAR FOR PRIESTS
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YEAR FOR PRIESTS |
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The YEAR FOR PRIESTS
(Pray this every day):
Lord, we ask you, by the intercession of St. John Vianney, to increase the priestly vocations in our community. Let priests continue to invest themselves in their vocation and their mission. Amen
From Father Greg Lieser: Summer 09
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a "Year for Priests" beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19th. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father in 2010. With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Cure of Ars.
Two key components of the year will be prayer and awareness. Pope Benedict wants to raise awareness of the need for vocations to the priesthood, but he also wants to raise people’s awareness about seeking God’s will for their lives. We are all very aware of the shortage of priests in our diocese and many areas of our country and of the world. We are called anew to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
In many parishes, the Christian Women groups have been a strong support for their pastors. You support your pastors by regular participation at Mass and other activities of the parish, especially by serving lunches at so many parish events and often coordinating the funeral dinners. Also, your support of prayer, willingness to serve on parish committees and in liturgical roles, as lectors, sacristans, greeters, and Eucharistic ministers is essential. I want to commend all of you Christian Women who are already active and
(Pray this every day):
Lord, we ask you, by the intercession of St. John Vianney, to increase the priestly vocations in our community. Let priests continue to invest themselves in their vocation and their mission. Amen
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
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 they’re 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,
st nngthen 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 Reconcile.
.
Giver of all good gifts,
make the ministry of our priests
a spiritual offering pleasing to you,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
+ John F. Kinney
Bishop of Saint Cloud
Imprimatur given March 19, 2002
From Father Greg Lieser: Summer 09
Pope Benedict XVI has declared a "Year for Priests" beginning with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 19th. The year will conclude in Rome with an international gathering of priests with the Holy Father in 2010. With the announcement of this Year for Priests, the Pope has declared St. John Vianney the Universal Patron of Priests on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the death of the Cure of Ars.
Two key components of the year will be prayer and awareness. Pope Benedict wants to raise awareness of the need for vocations to the priesthood, but he also wants to raise people’s awareness about seeking God’s will for their lives. We are all very aware of the shortage of priests in our diocese and many areas of our country and of the world. We are called anew to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
In many parishes, the Christian Women groups have been a strong support for their pastors. You support your pastors by regular participation at Mass and other activities of the parish, especially by serving lunches at so many parish events and often coordinating the funeral dinners. Also, your support of prayer, willingness to serve on parish committees and in liturgical roles, as lectors, sacristans, greeters, and Eucharistic ministers is essential. I want to commend all of you Christian Women who are already active and
faithful parishioners, and supportive of your priests. Nor should we ever speak ill of our pastors and priests, even though they are imperfect or make serious mistakes. In our diocese, during this year, we are making special effort to remember the life and work of Fr. John Kaiser, because it is the 10th anniversary of his death. Fr. Kaiser was a priest from St. James Parish in Maine in our diocese, who served as a missionary in Kenya, Africa, where he was killed, presumably martyred. By this memorial of Fr. Kaiser, we hope to increase awareness of his priesthood and dedication, and ask God to inspire others to dedicate their lives to the noble ministry as a priest.
The Holy Father stated, “It seems urgent also to recover the awareness that has always been at the heart of the Church’s mission, which impels priests to be present, identifiable and recognizable both for their judgment of faith, for their personal virtues, as well as for their attire, in the spheres of culture and of charity.”
St. John Vianney, pray for our priests and for persons to respond to the call to be priests! May God Bless you all!
Fr. Greg Lieser