Secular Franciscan Order

Dear friends,
Let us not let the month of June come and go without recalling to ourselves its special dedication to the Lord's Most Sacred Heart. Our worship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us that God's passionate love for his creatures has come to live among us, embedding divine love in our very humanity. Let us in turn place our hearts within His, that we may love one another with the Love with which God has loved us first.
 Brother Charles

Blog: friarminor.blogspot.com
Twitter: twitter.com/FrCharles
Facebook: facebook.com/people/Charles_Sammons/667525245
Parish Website: sacredheartyonkers.org

The Popes of Our Time
by Erma Recine

Our reading shares with us the fifth anniversary of the memory of Pope John Paul II and of the election of our Pope Benedict XVI to the throne of Peter. We will share a few notes on the two Popes whom we honor on this occasion. 

Pope John Paul II, known for reaching out to other nations, traveled to 126 countries during his pontificate, often addressing the congregation in their native language. He was the first pope to set foot in a Jewish synagogue and showed humility in his travels by kissing the ground of each nation he visited. His outreach and emphasis on social justice helped end Communism in Poland and eventually the Cold War.

A prolific and profound writer and orator, Pope Benedict XVI continues the initiatives of John Paul II while always emphasizing the importance of the Mass as a “weekly Easter” where the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of Eucharist are bridged by the homily, transforming the rites of Mass into an active celebration of the miracle of Mass.

We are grateful for the lives and work of John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI for their contributions to the Church. 

Through the intercession of our Blessed Virgin Mary, we unite our prayers and sacrifices with the Popes past and present for good of the Church. We are happy to share with you that the Academy of the Immaculate, who are publishers for the Franciscans, recall with pious affection, the life and work of John Paul II on this anniversary – and also – to offer prayers and solidarity to Pope Benedict XVI as he continues his good work leading the Church.  We pray that our Mother Mary will watch over our Holy Father, and that our prayers are with him always.

How blessed are we to have shared John Paul II and Benedict XVI on the Chair of Peter during our lifetime. We are grateful for their lives and works. We are also grateful for the chaplains, clergy, and the staff of the Archdiocese for serving the cause of peace and justice throughout the world.  Amen!

In conclusion, we pray that:

John Paul II – the Venerable will accept our affection and gratitude, and as dear friends of him, whose gifts and abilities changed the course of history in our often troubled world.

Let us express our profound gratitude for the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI. May he continue to move the Holy See toward the same goals of achieving the rich gifts of religious reconciliation, forgiveness, and love.

Let us join together in offering prayers of gratitude for His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the fifth anniversary of his death – and for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on the fifth anniversary of his Pontificate.  Amen!

Prayer Reflection

I can rest in Him who is “the Beginning”Jesus came and stays in humanity. He chooses to heap gifts on me.
            John 1:1-18

He Who Is

He who is
I rest my soul
He who is
I rest my faith
He who is
I give my life
He who is
I come to do your will
He who is and shall always be
the air I breathe
For He has given me life,
 for whom I can always rely
With whom I cannot live without
Feed my mind,
Feed my soul
with wisdom and love
That I may be an instrument in the Orchestra of Life

                                                          Frances Acosta

-Pray During the Summer-

Great God,
you dress the world in summertime and paint the sky with stars. You write
your story on our lives and guide the ways of all. Give us a wider sense of
wonder, that we may unwrap the world like a gift, always thanking you for
your goodness and living in love with our neighbors in Jesus Christ Our
Lord. Amen.
Written in 1972--WLP

Maureen Brennan-

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