Today’s Blessing Prayer: Happy Solemnity of St. Joseph and Thursday greetings to all. As I said that the beginning of my scripture reflection this morning, I know that most if not all of us cannot be out and about celebrating today but I hope we will all honor St. Joseph in our prayers today.
On a sad note today my childhood parish, St. Joseph’s in Port Vue, PA was to have a closing mass for the parish and the church. The parish has been a part of a combined parish with several other parishes in the area for many years now, but the physical building has remained open as a worship site. Well the worship site of St. Joseph has been closed. I was hoping to go to the closing mass today, but the bishop of Pittsburgh canceled all masses in the diocese so the closing mass at St. Joseph was canceled. I would have been a nice way to honor St. Joseph and the many years that the parish was a part of many people’s lives. I believe my own vocation was given life and nurtured for many years in that holy space. While the church was dedicated to St. Joseph the Worker there is still a flood on memories as I remember the parish and its people at mass this morning! Thanks to all the people who touched my life in that space and who looked upon and continue to look upon St. Joseph as a source of grace, life and inspiration! Once again as we journey through this uncertain time, I offer you Pope Francis’ Prayer… O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, and the Health of the Sick. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith. You, Salvation of All People, know what we need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us: He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. (Prayer Composed by Pope Francis) My prayer of blessing today is that through the intercession of St. Joseph, all of us will remain focused on our faith, on our relationship with God, on all the journeys of life that God has invited us to enter into and all the healing God has provided. May we never give in to hopelessness and look elsewhere to a god the world creates. Many blessings to all today, safety in our living today, hope in the healing of our world and may we encounter the presence of God throughout the day! Peace in Christ’s Passion…Fr. Paul
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Fr. Paul R. Fagan, C.P.A prayer or two to help you through your day! Archives
April 2024
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