Reflection “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” ~Maya Angelou Prayer God of Joy, There is nothing like seeing the beauty of a rainbow after a nasty storm.  The brilliant colors, and how it brightens up the sky, bri

Prayer

God of Joy,

There is nothing like seeing the beauty of a rainbow after a nasty storm.  The brilliant colors, and how it brightens up the sky, brings such joy to the soul.  Knowing of the struggles and challenges that we each face in our daily lives, encountering someone with a joyful spirit and who radiates hope is like seeing a rainbow in front of us. With the power of this type of joy available for each person to share, helps us to bring that brightness to others. We ask this in love, Amen.

Reflection “Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it, can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy. It will open a new place

Prayer

God of Surprises,

We wake each day to opportunities that can surprise us in various ways.  With open hearts and minds, these surprise events can lead us on an unknown path that you have planned for us, bringing great joy and satisfaction. Too often we tend to overlook these experiences because of our own planned schedules.  Help us to grow in expectation to see, hear and feel all the good you have planned for us, in whatever way it is revealed. In anticipation, we pray. Amen. 

Reflection “A dead-end street is a good place to turn around.” ~Naomi Judd Prayer God of Options, So many times in our lives we realize we have come to a dead-end, needing to start over in order to move forward.  These new b

Prayer

God of Options,

So many times in our lives we realize we have come to a dead-end, needing to start over in order to move forward.  These new beginnings can be quite challenging and actually scary at times.  Yet we know that by following you, dead-ends are not the end, but rather just a starting point for something new and exciting.  Guide us in believing that when we face a dead-end, there is more available to us, and that the best is yet to come.  In anticipation of new and exciting adventures, we pray. Amen.

Memorial of Our Lady of Knock Reflection “The arms of the Virgin, outstretched in prayer, continue to show us the importance of prayer as the message of hope which goes out from this shrine.”  ~ Pope Francis Prayer Loving

Prayer

Loving God,

You reveal your love for us in numerous ways each day, from the bursting forth of beautiful flowers, to the gentle rains that water the earth, and the smiles and kindness of people we meet on the street. Your love for us gives us great hope through the challenges and struggles that we face each day.  Through this hope, we are able to envision a path forward, trusting that each step is guided by you.  In gratitude we pray. Amen.

Reflection “The sun will set without thy assistance.” –the Talmud Prayer Loving God, You have called us to partner with you in transforming the world. As we strive to do so faithfully, help us remember that you are God and we are

Prayer

Loving God,

You have called us to partner with you in transforming the world. As we strive to do so faithfully, help us remember that you are God and we are not. It is your mission we seek to extend, simply by contributing what we can and then trusting you for the rest. Grant us the wisdom to know how to let go of undue burdens and the false expectation to “do it all.” Instead, help us embrace the limits within which you created us, and to find freedom in sharing our gifts as best we can, with whomever you put in our path. Amen.

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Reflection “For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for ‘he subjected everything under his feet.’” –1 Corint

Prayer

God of all creation,

On this day, as the Church celebrates Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven, we are invited to celebrate the goodness of the body and to remember that you are the very author of life, who loves life and gives life to our bodies, who laid down your own life for love’s sake and then took it up again, in resurrection power! Death is your enemy, as is sickness, disease, and all forms of suffering. Therefore, today, we pray to be filled with resurrection hope, that we might comfort those who are suffering, strengthen the weary, and accompany the fearful through their time of trouble. Amen.

Reflection “Who can you give the credit to, before you take some for yourself?” –Michael Bungay Stanier Prayer Encouraging God, With humble hearts we pause to appreciate the vast contributions of so many talented, gifted, and dev

Prayer

Encouraging God,

With humble hearts we pause to appreciate the vast contributions of so many talented, gifted, and devoted colleagues across this ministry. Providers and caregivers, partners and vendors, associates of all kinds, all who serve so selflessly as your hands and feet to people in need. Open our eyes today, to see this diversity as a colorful spectrum of your own compassion and love for humanity. May we encourage each other in words and gestures to stay the course and keep up the good work. Amen.