When should a person pray?

From the earliest times Christians have prayed at least in the morning, at meals, and in the evening. Someone who does not pray regularly will soon not pray at all. [2697�2698, 2720]

Anyone who loves another person and all day long never gives that person a sign of his love does not really love him. So it is with God, too. Anyone who truly seeks him will keep sending him signals of his longing for his company and friendship.

Get up in the morning and give the day to God, asking for his blessing and to �be there� in all your meetings and needs. Thank him, especially at mealtimes. At the end of the day, place everything into his hands, ask him for forgiveness, and pray for peace for yourself and others. A great day�full of signs of life that reach God. 188

~ YOUCAT pg. 274 ~

If both of them had not been Pope,....

"If John Paul II had not been Pope, he would have been a movie star; if Benedict had not been Pope, he would have been a university professor," 

~ US Vatican expert John L Allen ~

My Greatest Desire

Heavenly Father, my greatest desire in life is to love You, the Lord my God,

with all my heart, with all my soul, with all my mind and with all my strength,

and also to love my neighbor as Jesus has loved me. 

Above even eternal life for myself, I desire to love You, God.

Yet, You know well what my eternal needs are.

AMEN.

Come to my aid, O Lord....

Psalm 40

¹ I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
³ He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

⁴ Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.
⁵ Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire�
    but my ears you have opened�
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
⁷ Then I said, �Here I am, I have come�
    it is written about me in the scroll.
⁸ I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.�

⁹ I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
¹⁰ I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
¹² For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
¹³ Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

¹⁴ May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵ May those who say to me, �Aha! Aha!�
    be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶ But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    �The Lord is great!�

¹⁷ But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.

Prayer for Families

Father of love and mercy send the precious blood of your son Jesus to cover our hearts and bestow upon us your grace and love. Strengthen our minds and hearts that in our daily work we may imitate your son Jesus who by his passion, death and resurrection has brought salvation to all mankind. We ask for the powerful intercession of all the holy angels and saints through Jesus Christ our king and merciful Saviour. 

Amen.