May 16, 2024

The days are fast approaching for the celebration of Pentecost. The story of the tongues of fire and the shaking building is always a one to hear. It’s a great picture to put in one’s mind of our God who is full of surprises. Surely that God is still working surprises, perhaps not as dramatic or perhaps so.

Sometimes I wonder how often I miss one of those surprises. Our minds can be so busy with so many thoughts and ideas and to-dos; we can walk with determined speed, thinking of what’s next. Surely it is easy to miss a surprise visit now and again. And of course we never know what that “surprise” will look like. Who in that Room on Pentecost could have imagined tongues of fire resting over their heads?

May the God of surprises visit you this day!

May 15, 2024

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth. (Psalm Response for Wednesday, May 15, 2024)

Show us your power, O God! Show us the power You used long ago to save Your people. With that same power look upon our world and save us.

All nations of the earth, sing God’s praise for His power is forever. Lift your voices to God, speak of His might. It is God’s power that can change minds and hearts. It is His power with our own trust and faith that can make us one.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth.

May 14, 2024

From the Weekly Update of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy, May 15, 2009:

“As the month of May winds down, the role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, becomes more and more embedded in the fabric of who we are as Queen of Peace Catholic Academy.  Each day at Blessing, we listen to several verses from the Gospel of Luke of the message of the angel:  “You are truly blessed.  The Lord is with you.”.  We listen, we ponder, we respond in our heart.

Just this past week, the pondering of these words led a student who came to me for his blessing to say, “Sister Nancy, you are truly blessed.”.  Me?  In the same category as Mary?  Me?  Deserving of the words of the angel?  Could this child really mean me?  Could this child have said these words to each of you? And, of course, the answer is an overwhelming YES.  From our birth, our Baptism, our membership in community, our participation in the Eucharist and in the lives of one another, we can say that we are truly blessed.  We can look around us into the eyes of those with whom we come in contact, and we can say that we are truly blessed.  We can reflect on our surroundings and say that we are truly blessed.  We can participate in conversation with those we love and we can say that we are truly blessed.

It certainly would be well worth all that we are, to take some time to find ourselves in the words of the angel.  Without doubt, God’s presence in our lives blesses us.  We can very easily forget about God’s presence and God’s blessings while convincing ourselves that our daily comings and goings are completely up to us.  Wherein the reality is that without God we are empty and incomplete.

Pray the words of the angel this week.  Listen attentively with your heart and carry this message with you throughout your days.“

May 13, 2024

“...why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:11) It must have been quite an experience for the people gathered with the disciples watching jesus ascend into heaven. Their minds and hearts must have whirling; their eyes blinking and their mouths wide open. What had just happened? What did this mean? We can only imagine how long their eyes looked upward or how long they stood in silence.

So many amazing things happen in our lives every day. Very often our busyness detracts us from looking or listening or standing still. We can miss the sunset, the music of the birds, the voice of a loved one or a thank you of a stranger. Our gaze can go upward to what already was while we miss the beauty beside us.

May 12, 2024

Today is a day to remember! We remember the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. We remember with gratitude. We remember His teachings to love God and one another. We remember His gift of peace and the gift of Himself in His Body and Blood. We remember His words of peace, “Peace be with you!”. We remember His desires that we believe and trust, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”. We remember His urgings that we forgive ourselves and one another. We remember and give thanks.

We also remember our mothers. We remember their lives of selfless giving. we remember their words of constant encouragement. We remember their faith shared and grown. We remember and we give thanks.

Blessed Feast of the Ascension! Happy Mother’s Day and Family Day!

May 11, 2024

The disciples bid a final farewell to Jesus in the Gospel tomorrow. They receive instructions as to their mission for the future. Preparing we pray…

Risen Lord, hear our prayer!

• For confidence in Jesus’ word as we share His Gospel in our day and time, we pray..
• For attentive listening to God within as we discern and follow God’s desires for us, we pray…
• For all who teach and preach the Good News of Jesus, we pray…
• For the gift of peace to reign in our hearts and minds and homes, we pray…

Risen Lord, hear our prayer!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

May 10, 2024

Risen Christ, our joyful Resurrection hearts are filled with anticipation of Your Ascension. Your Presence with the Father is Presence with us. Your words continue to be heard; your actions are spoken and remembered.

We marvel and are in awe of all that You are. You promise us that whatever we ask will be granted. You do impossible things, things that sometimes go unnoticed Our eyes are unclear at times; help us to see. Our ears are clouded; help us to hear. We desire to see and hear You more and more as You ascend to the Father and are present to us as well.

In Your name we pray. Amen.

May 9, 2024

The Church is preparing to celebrate the Ascension of the Risen Christ. After appearing to His disciples on several occasions to reassure and strengthen their faith, they see, experience and hear His voice one final time. The mixed feelings of good-bye fill the air.

Saying good-bye has a way of touching minds and hearts that stir up memories and often elicit probabilities for the future. It’s hard to know the reality of our musing, but the feelings within are sure.

Our days can be filled with a variety of farewells – a visit with a friend, an important appointment, the end of a school day or work day, the completion of a task. They become a part of our journey, our story. May your good-byes today be filled with blessing and peace!

May 8, 2024

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. (Psalm Response for Wednesday, May 8, 2024)

Give praise to our God all you people. Praise God angels and saints and all living things. Praise God leaders of all peoples.

Young and old, rich and poor, praise God Praise God’s name. God has done wonderful things. God has lifted us up. Let this be our praise to God.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

May 7, 2024

From the Weekly Update of Queen of Peace Cathholic Academy, May 8, 2009:

“Where has this year gone? Was it not just yesterday that we moved into the new Middle School building and opened the fish gates for the first day of school? Did parents not just order uniforms, assist with Halloween, plan great Christmas parties and make our first St. Joan and St. George Day a huge success? Did the students not just have fresh, clean, bright backpacks and uniforms that fit perfectly? Where has it all gone?

The seasons and the years, cyclical as they are, do come and go. Some hold great memories; some are filled with challenges. Some hold great blessings; some we wish to forget. No matter, whether good or not so good, we cannot hold them back or make them not happen at all. Each moment, each day, each year is gently held in God’s hands and from those hands come love and strength and encouragement. We can choose to believe that all happens in God’s time and in God’s ways; we can choose to commit ourselves to trusting in God’s plan knowing that God both rejoices with us and grieves with us. We can be convinced that God knows us better than we know ourselves – and we can find comfort there. For yes, truly, God is good – all the time.

So, where has this year gone? It has gone into the hands and heart of our God! It has gone into God’s loving care! It has gone into memories which will sustain us for the next opportunity, the next challenge, the next year. It has gone the way of all good things – and for this we thank all of you, our parents, our parishioners.“