Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Feast Day, Parish Novena, and Eucharistic Devotions - January 25- February 2
Our parish patronal feast day is January 25, the Conversion of St. Paul.  This year we are celebrating over a period of nine days with our parish novena.  This week’s bulletin includes the novena prayers for everyone to pray on their own, and folks can follow on our website or facebook page.  We will offer other public opportunities for prayer as well.  Here is the schedule:

January 25 @ 6:30pm - Holy Hour (w/ opportunity for confession) with Solemn Benediction
January 27 @ 6:45pm - Paul, Apostle of Christ Movie Night w/ Pizza and snacks
January 28/29 - Adoration and Benediction after Masses
January 30 @ 6:30 - Faith Formation on The Eucharist
January 31 @ 6:30 - Faith Formation on St. Paul
February 2 @ 11:30am - Blessing of Candles/Procession with Mass
February 2 @ 6:30pm - Candlelight Adoration with Solemn Benediction
 
I am asking all parishioners to pray the novena prayers every day even if one cannot attend our events.  Perhaps include before or after your dinner prayers. Maybe as you are putting the kids to bed, invite them to pray for the different people of the parish through this novena.  These are the specific groups of people we are praying for (see the bulletin pages with the formal prayers).

Day 1: Families of St. Paul
Day 2: Women of the Parish
Day 3: Men of the Parish
Day 4: Clergy of the Parish
Day 5: Unengaged and Fallen Away Members of the Parish
Day 6: Students and Young People of the Parish
Day 7: Elderly and Vulnerable Members of the Parish
Day 8: Sick and Suffering of the Parish
Day 9: Vocations

One of lies the evil one uses to tempt us is thinking prayer is a waste of time. In turn this makes us think God is far away or doesn’t listen anyway.  These are lies and we must combat lies with the truth: prayer matters for us and for others.  Furthermore, God does listen and will answer the prayers offered in faith and love.  He has shown this in our lives in many ways if we look for it.  Perhaps His answers are unexpected or happen in a way that seems negative at first, but then it turns out better than we thought.   Perhaps we are even now in the midst of uncertainly, not knowing how He is answering.  The answer is not to give up but to persevere and trust.  God always brings all things to good. Do not be afraid.

Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Pfr