The Prayer Corner | The Catholic High School

Daily Prayer & Reflection

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

It hardly seems possible that we have catapulted into January, past the Baptism of Jesus even! We are now firmly back into the seasonal 'Ordinary Time' and will stay there until Ash Wednesday which is very late this year -- March 5th. I cannot imagine how this has actually happened, but...

"Ordinary Time' -- as we have mentioned before, there is nothing 'ordinary' about it...each and every week's readings for Liturgy reflect on some aspect of Jesus' life in His time in history, His culture by birth, and His role in God's plan for the salvation of this world and its people. We have countless examples every week of lessons we should recognize and stories that are familiar. Sometimes that seems to be the problem, 'oh, yes, have heard that one before'...hearing and recognizing the meaning of a story are two very different things.

Maybe we can take a breath during these quiet weeks before we find ourselves on the doorstep of Lent, and look at each Sunday's readings, sit with them, and ask ourselves what we can learn that could change our lives today? Can I find something in my day-to-day experience that is touched by the words I read and consider how I can grow and be stronger in my faith? Can I see something new in Jesus in the Gospel that I never noticed before and let it speak to me?

Taking these few minutes each week could lead us on a whole new journey. Perhaps we could even be better prepared for the Lenten season this year in positive ways and with new goals...we won't know until we try it!

SAINT FRANCIS AND SAINT CLARE, PRAY FOR US!

Intentions

Email Sister Ann

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