Thank you to all who organized, arranged, attended, or participated in the Drama Program’s Karaoke Night at OLP on Saturday 20 September. The evening was filled with good food, activities, gift baskets, and of course our young drama performers showcasing their talents with their renditions of their favorite songs. The evening was capped with an appearance by Willy Wonka who patiently posed for many photographs. Willy Wonka Junior will be premiering at the OLP Parish Center in March 2026. Best wishes to all for their upcoming auditions.
Angels we have heard on high. This week we celebrate the Feast of the Archangels and the Guardian Angels. The archangels are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The name Michael means: “Who is like God,” and St. Michael is the patron of security forces and the sick. The name Gabriel means “God’s strength,” and St. Gabriel is the patron of telecommunications, and the postal service. The name Raphael means “God’s remedy,” and St. Raphael is the patron of travelers and of the blind.
Each of us has our own unique Guardian Angel. Last week we had over 550 congregants attending Mass, so counting our Guardian Angels we had 1,100 in attendance! The Guardian Angels are the ninth of the nine Choirs of Angels. The other eight are in order: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominions, Virtues, Powers, Archangels, and Principalities. Listen at Mass when we pray the Eucharistic Preface – the prayer introducing the Holy, Holy, Holy Lord.
Through him the Angles praise your majesty, Dominions adore and Powers tremble before you. Heaven and the Virtues of heaven and the blessed Seraphim worship together in exultation.
And it is always right and just to pray to our Guardian Angel. “Angel of God, my guardian dear. To whom God’s love commits me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.”
You are most welcome to pray to any of the Choir of Angels. Pray to Angelic Thrones for peace in your heart, or for a dose of humility when you sense pride creeping in. Pray to the Angelic Dominions for the qualities to be a servant leader. Pray to the Angelic Virtues for the balance of nature to be respected. Pray to the Angelic Powers for help when temptation strikes. Pray to the Angelic Principalities for our nation and especially for nations involved in conflicts. Pray to the Angelic Cherubim for assistance when struggling to adhere to the truths of our faith. Pray to the Angelic Seraphim when struggling with our relationship with God and for the times that we may be hesitant to proclaim his praise.
The Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux is Wednesday, 1 October. The year 2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the canonization of the Little Flower. St. Therese was inspired by St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. St. Therese viewed her role in religious life as a vocation to love. St. Therese, who considered herself as a Little Flower in God’s Garden, approached all her tasks, as mundane as they could be, with the assurance that she was showing her love to Christ and extending his love to others through her simple, loving service – known as the Little Way. A statue of St. Therese is at Our Lady of Peace Church on the right side by the Sacred Heart Statue.
O Little Therese of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. O Little Flower of Jesus, ask God to grant the favors I now place with confidence in your hands. St. Therese, help me to always believe as you did in God’s great love for me, so that I might imitate your Little Way each day. Amen.
A reminder that the Blessing of Animals will be celebrated this Saturday, 4 October at 1:00 pm on the front steps of Our Lady of Peace Church. We will go inside the Church if the weather is uncooperative. All your furry, feathery, and scaly friends are most welcome to join us. If your little friend is a little nervous around other pets or is a little on the ferocious side, here is the prayer of blessing for them.
In your infinite wisdom, Lord God, when you created the universe, you blessed us with living creatures. We especially thank you for giving us our pets, who are our friends and who bring us so much joy in life. Their presence very often helps us to get through very trying times. Please bless my pet, and may my pet continue to give me joy and remind me of your joyful presence. Additionally, enlighten our minds to preserve all endangered species so that we may continue to appreciate all your creation. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.