THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C): O GOD, HAVE MERCY ON ME! O LORD, OPEN MY LIPS AND MY MOUTH SHALL DECLARE YOUR PRAISE! MY SACRIFICE...A HUMBLED, CONTRITE HEART YOU WILL NOT SPURN! (From Psalm 51 - The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance - of King David) by Deacon Jim Merle

Each day I start my morning prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours with an examination of conscience in the following way: 

"Lord, forgive my inequities, cleanse me from my sin, help me to be one with You in all that I am and in all that I do in thought, word and deed as well as Faith, Hope and Love. Give me courage, strength, wisdom, understanding, peace, joy and grace to be obedient to your will. For all those for whom I pray, may they receive your care, comfort and healing."

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C): FAITH REQUIRES PERSEVERANCE IN ALL FACETS OF OUR LIFE, ESPECIALLY IN COMMUNICATIONS WITH GOD THROUGH PRAYER by Deacon Jim Merle

A religious visitor from Europe active in missionary work in Zambia at a hospital and orphanage and more recently in the Ukraine, recently shared at Mass about a four-day ordeal he had in a basement of an apartment building in which 13 children were hiding after being wounded by a Russian missile. Though he was able to help because of his work in Zambia, it was through perseverance in prayer that helped him and the children to cope with what happened and how they will be able to face an uncertain future. This incident brings our Gospel and readings this weekend to life and hopefully us in how we live as practicing Catholics. 

TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C): GOD, WHO CREATED US OUT OF LOVE, IS ALWAYS HERE FOR US, NO MATTER WHO WE ARE AS LONG AS WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT HE DOES. by Deacon Jim Merle

It is interesting to note how people react to illnesses and accidents, especially when they are either a part of it or have avoided it. In the latter instance, most people express how lucky they were. It was a narrow escape, but they beat the odds. Those who experienced a setback due to being affected either are upset because they have a problem which may be life-changing or are grateful because it was something minor.

TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C): FAITH CALLS US TO BE PROACTIVE WHEN IT THREATENS THOSE IN NEED WITH SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES. RESPECT LIFE SUNDAY by Deacon Jim Merle

Today is Respect Life Sunday based on Pope St. John Paul II’s 1995 encyclical “Evangelium Vitae” (The Gospel of Life) held every October to reaffirm the value and inviolability of every human life and to appeal to all people to respect, protect, love and serve every human life.