The Prayer Corner | The Catholic High School

Daily Prayer & Reflection

Our Franciscan Charism focus for this school year is: SERVICE AND GRATITUDE

As our final day of school arrives, ready or not, students are finished and all exams are completed. The faculty and staff are cleaning classrooms, sorting files and materials, putting things in order, more or less, for the summer break. It seems so very quiet around here right now! We already miss the students and are thinking what the next school year will look like.

This Sunday is Pentecost, often called the 'birthday of the Church'. The apostles, still confused and in hiding, were gifted with the Holy Spirit and many things shared with them by Jesus finally began to make sense. On that day, they became changed disciples of Jesus, ready to take on the world in order to share the goodness and love of God with others. We hold that wish for our students as they begin a well deserved summer break...they worked hard this year and accomplished so many wonderful things!

It's important for all of us to remember that we are disciples, we share our faith and beliefs with others, even without words. The kindnesses we can show, the way we treat others no matter the situation. The Franciscan tradition calls us to this as well as the guidance of the Holy Spirit moves in our lives...LIVE THE GOSPEL! In order to do that, we need to pray and know the Gospel and look at Jesus in his time and place and see how He handled problems and challenges. We have been called and sent out to continue the work of Jesus in our world.

We thank all who support our school with your prayers and efforts to keep it ready to prepare our students for futures we can only imagine! We appreciate your kindnesses through the school year in supporting our outreach efforts within our local community, nationally, and even internationally as we try to 'let our lights shine' in every way possible. We wish you all a very pleasant and restful summer ahead. Enjoy your families and friends and always remember to call on our patrons when in need.

SAINT FRANCIS AND SAINT CLARE, PRAY FOR US!

Intentions

Email Sister Ann

Prayers have been requested by Ginny Etter '69 for Louse Vallar Gay '57. Louise and her husband, Bob, now live in DE and they are in need of our prayers. She has some chronic health issues that are challenging and have forced their moving to assisted living. Please keep Louise and Bob in your prayers as they face these challenges ahead.

Mrs. Ginny Vaughn Etter '69 has asked for prayers for a member of the Class of 1969. Mrs. Cynthia Lewis Nevin '69 has been having some serious health issues and is facing a second surgery on June 14. We hope all of our alumnae and our current school community will keep Mrs. Nevin in our thoughts and prayers, along with her family and friends. We thank you for your thoughtfulness.

Prayers have been requested by Raoul Frevel and all of the family for the repose of the soul of Shawn Frevel, the mother of Julianna Frevel '18 and Brianna Frevel '20. Please keep all of the Frevel family in your prayers.

The family of Dolores (Dee) Dauses Coleman '59 has requested prayers for Dee and all of the Dauses family as a support for them in her loss. Dee was an active alumna and loved those Ocean City gatherings. She will be missed by so many.

Prayers for the family of Rose Bollino Brown '69 have been requested over the loss of her son, Dane, who died in March of this year. This request was made by Ginny Vaughn Etter '69 and her family. May Dane rest in peace and may the love and comfort of our dear Lord, Jesus, sustain the Brown family through this time of loss.

Mrs. Ginny Etter '69 was in touch to thank everyone for our prayers for her son who was dealing with a few health issues. He has improved greatly and she appreciates our support. I responded that this was wonderful news and we were most grateful for her prayers of thanks for us...shared blessings all around. This is who we are and what we do -- support and encourage and care for one another. Many thanks to each and every one for daily attention to our prayer requests. No prayer goes unheard or unanswered!

A special request was made for prayers for a young man seeking employment and for his family. Let us pray for all of those affected by the many job changes taking place in our society these days.

Prayers have been requested for Margie Lavin '66 who is facing new medical issues. Margie has already had other health concerns and is undergoing treatment at Hopkins for another issue so we are hoping and praying that all will go well.

A family has requested prayers for a young man in his early 40's who is now on life support in the hospital and is not expected to recover...please remember him and all the family and friends in thought and prayer.

Prayers are requested for the eternal joy of Maryanne Elizabeth Spada Graham, great aunt of Graziella Dolberg '28. Ms. Graham was in her 90's with a deep love for TCHS and we offer our prayers and sympathy to all of her family and friends. May she rest in peace.

Prayers are requested by the family of Kathleen Shealey '59 who passed away last week. The TCHS community shares this sadness with all the family and all of her friends. May she rest in eternal peace and joy in God's presence.

Prayers for Donald Pommer have been requested by his wife, Lois Therres Pommer '67. Please include Lois and all the family in your prayers.

Prayers have been requested by Lynnora Collins Sims '78, for her mom, Joan Collins, who has suffered a heart attack. She also suffers from dementia and is need of prayers. Lynnora and her family are most appreciative to all for your support.

Prayers have been requested for Jere Danaher for a full recovery from a broken ankle suffered weeks ago. Surgery has taken place but recovery is going slowly. Please keep Mr. Danaher in your thoughts and prayers.

Prayers have been requested for Joan Gussler who is seriously ill and in need of support and prayer. Many thanks from family and friends.

Many prayer requests have come in for friends and relatives that are very ill or having surgery through this early part of December...some have given names while others have asked for privacy at this time. In an effort to include everyone in our most sincere and caring prayers, we would like to ask that our intention through Advent be for all of those in our TCHS Community, including friends and others, dealing with chronic illness, surgery, or ongoing treatments for cancer. Illnesses are difficult for the individuals and families alike at any time but most keenly felt during this holiday season. May we remember each and every day to take time to pray for those struggling with illnesses of all kinds and ask our gracious and loving God to comfort and strengthen each person in whatever way they may need. May we also thank God for our health and wellbeing and do whatever we can to support those for whom we are praying. Many thanks to everyone for your interest and caring.

Virginia Vaughn Etter '69 has sent us a follow-up request asking for continued prayers for her son who is struggling with several on-going medical issues. She knows she can count on her sister alums for support. Thank you for every prayer that is offered.

Patricia Spann Becker '58 requested prayers for her friend and classmate, Carolyn Grabowski Mahon '58, who passed away on August 20, 2024. We ask for God's comfort as her family and friends mourn her loss.

Please the family and friends of Maria Gonzales Meehan '77 who joined God on October 7 after battling from cancer. Click here for visitation information. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kidney Cancer Association.

Prayers have been requested for Sean Bentz, son of Mrs. Kathy Gabor Bentz '80, who died this past January. We trust that Sean is in the eternal and loving presence of our Lord and ask for prayers of caring and support for all of his family and friends who mourn and miss him very much.

A friend of Catholic High has called to ask for prayers for a dear friend of hers, Amy, who was just diagnosed with multiple cancers and is in the hospital being evaluated and creating a plan for treatment. All of this is quite overwhelming for family and friends. Please keep Amy and everyone who is involved in your thoughts and prayers. The family would be most thankful to all of you.

Our TCHS Community has been asked to remember in our prayers Mr. Andrew Makowiecki, who has returned to His loving God in heaven. Mr. Makowiecki is the the father-in-law of Barbara Lundin Makowiecki '93 and the grandfather of Katelyn Makowiecki '26. We will keep all of the Makowiecki family in our prayers and ask God's comfort and compassion for all family and friends who mourn his loss.

Prayers have been requested by many of the Sisters of St. Francis for one of the Sisters in upstate New York who has just been diagnosed with colon cancer and is requesting prayers and support during her surgery this week and for her treatment and recovery. This is her second battle with cancer and she is most grateful for any support you can offer.

Prayers are asked for a family of a TCHS graduate from 1966 whose family is struggling on two fronts right now. The husband of our graduate is in a nursing facility and needs to receive physical therapy and assistance after suffering a medical event that can't quite be diagnosed. At the same time, her son is facing serious heart surgery within the next few weeks. Both of these illnesses have been going on for quite some time and the family needs all of our thoughts and prayers.

Prayers have been requested for a young woman who passed away very suddenly and unexpectedly this week. Please keep Ms. Suzanne Andrews and her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.

Prayers have been requested for a graduate of TCHS who is facing serious surgery next Tuesday, August 27th. Family and friends appreciate your support.

The TCHS community would like to ask for prayers for the eternal rest of Bernard Delia, brother-in-law of Mr. Bob Fletcher, who is a member of our faculty. Mr. Delia died very suddenly over the summer so we ask for comfort and support for all of his family and friends.

In the spring of the past school year we were asked for prayers for Charlie Borsh. We have received a thank you from the friends and family of Charlie but wanted to share with you that Charlie went home to God early in the summer with his parents, siblings, and countless friends supporting him. We never know how far our prayers can go or how our God will respond to them but we trust that Charlie is now enjoying the presence of God and watching over all of his loved ones and friends. Please continue to keep Charlie's family and friends in our prayers as they remember him with great love and miss him very much. Thanks to all who were part of the caring support extended to the family.

Resources

Center for Action and Contemplation - author Richard Rohr, Franciscan priest, several options, of the most popular is daily reflections with weekly themes, several books available and other subtopics

Gratefulness.org - thoughts for the day, various sources

On Being Project - several options including poetry, essay, photos, Krista Tippett shares weekly

Laudate - broad, general resource/reference for all kinds of religious needs, information bank

The God Minute - daily ten-minute prayer/reflection each day

National Catholic Reporter - daily Catholic press articles, including Earthbeat, other topical sources

Take 5 For Faith - brief, prayerful reflection each day

Daily Readings - liturgical references to daily masses

Missio.org - Pope Francis' COVID-19 Emergency Solidarity Fund

The Word Among Us - daily meditations, reflections, and print materials

Insight Timer - free, daily meditation app

CatholicMom.com - daily prayer reflections

Heart of the Nation - Catholic Mass online, prayers