This Sunday is World Day of Prayer for Vocations. Its purpose is to publicly fulfill the Lord's instruction to, "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest" (Mt 9:38; Lk 10:2). As a climax to a prayer that is continually offered throughout the Church, it affirms the primacy of faith and grace in all that concerns vocations to the priesthood and to the consecrated life. While appreciating all vocations, the Church concentrates its attention this day on vocations to the ordained ministries (priesthood and diaconate), consecrated life in all its forms (male and female religious life, societies of apostolic life, consecrated virginity), secular institutes in their diversity of services and membership, and to the missionary life. Please pray that young men and women hear and respond generously to the Lord's call to the priesthood, diaconate, religious life, societies of apostolic life or secular institutes.

Our parish has been given a unique opportunity to help people in our community grieve the many losses experienced during the Covid-19 Pandemic as well as recall the many millions of people who have either lost their lives or have been tragically affected by other pandemics in our world through the centuries. It’s made possible through the visit to our church by the Global Pandemics Bereavement Stone. The Global Pandemics Bereavement Stone was created by The Peace Abbey Foundation specifically to be moved so as to move grieving hearts on the long and difficult road of bereavement.

I share with you a prayer that appeared in the Christopher News Note (#411) entitled, "Living the Good Life - Why Values Matter."

Prayer for Growth in Love

Father, You have loved us from eternity without conditions.
Whether we are beautiful or plain,
rich or poor, saintly or sinful makes no difference.
Why can't we be that way toward each other?
Why do we magnify each other's shortcomings
and ignore the good features?
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I was touched by a song I heard on K-Love Radio (95.5 FM) the other day that I’d like to share with you. It’s called Truth Be Told by Matthew West. The music video is available on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4wYkS8Z3Io. Here are some of the words:

Lie number one: you're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing
Just smile and tell them, "Never better"