Deacon Ward's Message of the Day 2/23/2020

Mater Dei Parish

St. Mary Star of the Sea / St. Edward the Confessor   
St. James the Greater   

St. Benedict Labre

     
Deacon Ward’s Almost Daily Message

Thursday, April 23, 2020 

Happy Easter, my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Alleluia!  Alleluia!

"Life and physical health are precious gifts entrusted to us by God. We must take reasonable care of them, taking into account the needs of others and the common good." Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC:) 2288

**********************

“Pray for Our Priest and Deacons”

Today we pray for Fr. Fidelis Agughara of our diocese…and also for Deacon Dan Pudvah.

“Eternal Father, we lift up to you these and all the priests and deacons of the world.

Sanctify them, heal and guide them.

Mold them into the likeness and holiness

of your Son, Jesus, the Eternal High Priest.

May their lives be pleasing to you. 

In Jesus’ name, we pray.” Amen.

*****************************************

Hello everyone!

It's a better day today, weather wise, but don't put away your long johns just yet!

No new news today.

*******************************************

Yesterday I mentioned that our Mater Dei parish provides a Food Shelf located at the St. Mary's Rectory garage (available on Thursday mornings); we are always looking for donated, non-perishable food.

If you are able to donate, the following items are most needed at the moment: 

Canned Meats

Crackers

Dry Milk

Dry Pasta

Hamburger Helper (Potato, Pasta or Hamburger)

Peanut Butter

Spaghetti Sauce

Remember, the criterion of judgement will be the deeds of mercy that have been done for the least of Jesus' brothers and sisters (those who suffer from hunger and thirst, etc.) Mt.25:40 

Jesus thanks you!

***************************
I leave you with an excerpt that was read to me today; I found it to be a powerful message...one that you may want to behold as well. This excerpt is from a book titled: "IN SINU JESU"...When Heart speaks to Heart. This is a journal of a priest at prayer.

"It is not by privilages, special graces, or mystical experiences that souls are perfected in love; it is by total adhesion to My will, and by a real death to all that is not my will. This life of yours will pass quickly. In the end, you will take comfort in one thing only: in the "Yes" that you will have said to My love for you, and in your adhesion to My will as it will have unfolded minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day in your life.

...Live then, in the present moment. Choose to be faithful to Me in the little things that I give you and ask of you from minute to minute, from hour to hour, and from day to day. It is foolish to pin your hopes and to spend your energy on the imaginary good, when the real good that I offer you is here and now."

****************

Please pray for those who are sick, or are near death.

***************
Today we celebrate the Memorial of St. George, Martyr; 
let us ask him to intercede for our needs:

"Lord, hear the prayers of those who
praise your mighty power.
As St. George was ready to follow Christ
in suffering and death,
so may he be ready to help us
in our weakness." Amen.

Until next time...
In His peace.
Deacon Ward