DEAR PARISHIONERS,
As pandemic anxiety mounts you might be asked by others; “Are we being punished by God?” It seems clear to me that we are not being punished by God. Indeed, God is our one sure source of strength and consolation in the midst of the trial. However, the matter is complicated when we continue to follow the line of questioning by asking: “if God is not punishing us, then who is?“ It seems to me that because our world has strayed from God’s protective love, we are prey to the forces of darkness, and it is they who know how to bring distress and suffering. What is most needed in these dark times is the peace and hope that contrite hearts can find in turning back to the light, turning back to God. During the quarantine, I gave a number of teachings on this matter as part of “Thursday afternoon Holy Hours” and they were recorded. They can be found on our parish website on our Homepage or by clicking this link: https://www.youtube.com/c/ImmaculateHeartofMaryParish click on Playlists: Prayer Hour with Fr. Bill. I warmly encourage you to re-visit those teachings, and to invite others, especially the young to visit them as well.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for God’s protection over us.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER:
Oh Jesus, I turn toward the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me. I love you, O my God. I cannot receive you in Holy Communion. Come, nevertheless, and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart. Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like unto Your own. Amen. Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
“Spiritual Communion is very profitable; therefore do not omit it, for by it the Lord learns how much you love Him” - St. Teresa of Avila
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POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER TO OUR LADY
(in the coronavirus emergency)
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross, you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana in 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
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This beautiful prayer may be prayed at any time; however, it is particularly efficacious when prayed just after receiving Holy Communion:
Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ’s side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels
Forever and ever, Amen.