Fr. Jim's Jots - Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Good Shepherd Sunday, July 18, 2021

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 18, 2021

Fr. Jim's Jots

Greetings!

I am thankful to Msgr. Tom Miller for being the Celebrant this weekend at our parish Masses.  I am away for the Mission Co-op.  This is an annual appeal where a small parish goes and visits a larger parish and has a special second collection.  This year I will be at Prince of Peace parish in Chesapeake, VA.  Pray that I get a generous collection for our parish.

As you are aware, our Jazz Festival was canceled this year, but we are still having a fund raiser approved by the parish council.  It will be a 4-day fundraiser on 8/19 thru 8/22 to sell delicious Gourmet Popcorn!!!  More details to follow.  In the days to come, think of your favorite flavor of Popcorn.  It's delicious.

We need  you to plan on attending a weekday Mass on Wednesdays or Fridays at 12 noon.  We are praying for our troubled world and those who are sick, our common home, our environment and an end to racism.  Please join us for Mass at noon Wednesdays and Fridays.

Special thanks to all who help serve our Parish in so many ways.  We need everyone to get involved.

Summer Peace and Blessings,

Fr. Jim

Image Source

Fr. Jim's Jots ~ Good Shepherd Sunday, 5.3.2020

FR. JIM'S JOTS

Throughout the month of May, we are invited and challenged as a Catholic people to pray to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God.

In a very special way during this time of great need, this coronavirus pandemic, we turn to the Blessed Mother, our help and our hope.

The Rosary is prayed daily in the evening at 7:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/243413539, Meeting ID 243 413 539, Password 877488

This may be the time to dust off all prayers, memorize them and have them be part of our treasure of prayers to the Blessed Mother.  Below are two prayers I'd like you to consider learning and praying daily; The Memorare and Hail, Holy Queen.  They invite us to ask the Blessed Mother for her assistance and her grace, especially when we feel most troubled in our daily lives.

REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.  Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin or virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.  O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.  Amen.

HAIL HOLY QUEEN, Mother of mercy, hail our life, our sweetness and our hope.  To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears.  Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O merciful, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary!  Amen.

Blessings,

Fr. Jim

~ Image Source: The Good Shepherd

~ Click to enlarge ~

Fr, Jim's Jots - Good Shepherd Sunday and Mother's Day - 5.12.2019

Fr. Jim's Jots

GREETINGS!

May is a special month for us.  As Catholic Christians, we are invited and asked by Holy Mother Church to spend some time in prayer devoted to the Blessed Mother.  I invite all of you to pray the Rosary, to attend a weekday Mass or simply light a candle in remembrance of your own Mother and give thanks for your family and your many Blessings.  Ask the Blessed Mother to help guide and direct all of your actions.

Today we give thanks for our own Mothers on this Mother's Day, 2019.  We pray in a special way for those Mothers who are deceased, who offered so much love and sacrifice.  We give thanks for those Mothers here with us today.  We are children and grandchildren who are grateful for your love and kindness and sacrifice.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday, May 15th, at 6:00 p.m.to celebrate my 30th Anniversary of the Priesthood.  Truly I believe it is the Blessed Mother who has helped foster support and encourage me to carry on with my own priesthood.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us!

Easter Joy,

Fr. Jim Arsenault

Image Source