The Catholic Charities Appeal is sponsoring a Commitment Weekend for 11-12 October. The Catholic Charities Appeal supports Social Services, Evangelization, Special Education, Mission parishes, and the support for retired and infirmed priests of the archdiocese. To date the Catholic Charities Appeal has raised $5.6 million, or 56% of their $10 million goal. Thank you for your generous support. Envelopes for the Catholic Charities Appeal are located at the entrances of our Churches, and these envelopes can be placed in the collection basket. Thank you for your generous support.
“We are the heart of the Church’s mission in action, delivering vital support across the Philadelphia region, providing food, housing, and care for seniors, families, and individuals with disabilities. Rooted in faith and driven by service, we nourish, shelter, support, and empower those in need. Together let us ignite a spirit of compassion and generosity that transforms lives across the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.” (Website of Catholic Charities)
The Notre Dame de Lourdes Carnival will be held from Thursday 25 September through Saturday 27 September. The carnival is conducted on the grounds of our Notre Dame de Lourdes School. Please pray for good weather for these carnival dates. Additionally, The Notre Dame de Lourdes Alumni Association is sponsoring the annual Father Zeuner Golf Classic on Friday 26 September. More information about these events can be found on the school’s website. Thank you for your participation.
Today, 14 September, the Church honors the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. It is appropriate on this day to honor the Cross and to pray before the Cross.
Behold, O kind and gentle Jesus, I kneel before you and pray that you would impress upon my heart the virtues of faith, hope, and charity, with true repentance for my sins and a firm purpose of amendment. At the same time, with sorrow I meditate on your five precious wounds, having in mind the words spoken in prophecy: “They have pierced my hands and my feet, I can count all my bones.” (Prayer Before the Crucifix)
The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows follows the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. The Church recognizes seven sorrows of Our Lady. They are: The Presentation in the Temple (“you, yourself a sword shall pierce so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:35); the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, Jesus being lost in the Temple, the meeting of Jesus and Mary on the way to Calvary, the Crucifixion, the taking down of the Body of Jesus from the Cross, and the burial of Jesus. A statue of the Sorrowful Mother fronts the candle display between the Confessionals at Notre Dame de Lourdes.
Wednesday 17 September is Constitution Day. On that date in 1787 (238th anniversary) our nation’s Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. Perhaps we can honor this document by meditating on the words of its preamble.
We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
At the Inauguration of President Washington, Archbishop John Carroll prayed: “We recommend to your unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.”
Our PREP begins this Tuesday. Blessings to our catechists, volunteers, and students, for this imparting of religious education. Thank you. The following is a prayer for catechists.
“Loving Father, we pray for our catechists. We thank you for their gift of ministry in your Church. Grant them your wisdom that they may grow in the understanding and teaching of your Word. Grant them also your love that they may be fruitful heralds of your Word and lead others to love you. Pour forth your Holy Spirit upon them to grant them wisdom as to the knowledge of the truths of our faith, right judgment, courage, perseverance, and reverence before all that is sacred and holy. May their loving zeal lead others to a transforming encounter with your Son. We pray this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)