The Prayer Corner

Daily Prayer & Reflection Intentions Resources

Daily Prayer & Reflection

Our Franciscan Charism focus for this school year is: EXCELLENCE

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE!

It seems that Lent has flown by and many good intentions and ideas for change have not been accomplished! And it seems that, for most of us, that is very true. We mean to do better and our humanity and imperfection hold us back. God understands that! Jesus, our Lord and brother, was human and had his bad days and concerns, too.

We can use the rest of this Holy Week to think of Jesus as a man, a human being, who was cheered and welcomed on Palm Sunday and yet arrested, tortured, tried, convicted and executed by sundown on Friday. Can we even begin to imagine His suffering and the terrible sense of abandonment he must have suffered through those last few days and hours? Where were his apostles? Where were all of his cheering followers? In His total love for us in sacrificing himself, where were we? Where are we today?

Jesus asked us time and time again to do, to act, as He did....nothing more than that. Be kind, be compassionate, be forgiving, as He was, DO GOOD, that was it. If we can let that message sink in and give it our best effort every day, that is enough, that is everything.

The message of Easter is triumph over death, victory in the midst of defeat. Death and defeat are passing....living as Jesus taught us is possible every moment of every day, if we choose it, our free will alone is needed. As Christians, we need to act as Jesus acted, that can be our triumph over the Lenten challenge, but we need to commit and change ourselves to being active followers of our brother, Jesus. Can we begin today?

Eight Keys of Excellence

Integrity - Do our behaviors and our values match?

Failure - Do I learn from the mistake and move to success?

Speech - Do I speak honestly and kindly?

Presence - Do I make the most of each moment and connect with each person I meet?

Commitment - Do I get out there and make my dreams come true?

Ownership - Do I take responsibility for my choices and actions?

Flexibility - Do I make an effort to see all sides of an issue, to think differently?

Balance - Do I try to be my best self with family, friends, and others at home and work?

Most of all, remember: there is NO PERFECTION/COMPLETION to any of these efforts. We are all on the same journey called life and we all move at our own pace with our own demands and responsibilities - our own strengths and our own weaknesses. The secret to making progress rests in our willingness to admit that we all need help along this journey and God makes the perfect traveling partner. Once we are ready, there is no end to what each of us can accomplish! There is no limit to the joy we can feel in our hearts.

May we each enjoy a beautiful autumn, an easy adjustment to moving into that darker period of the year, a more committed effort to improve myself in some ways, and the willingness to ask for help and be a help to others. Plan to take a hard look at the month of October at its end and honestly evaluate successes and be ready to start again!

Many blessings to all! May this verse from St. Paul's letter to the Romans (the ruling empire of the day) encourage you...

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and pure. -Romans 12: 2 ESV

Intentions

Email Sister Ann

Prayers have been requested by Maureen Bevan Finley '72 for an upcoming surgery for herself on April 9 and she has also asked that we remember her sister, Teresa Bevan Savarese '75 in our prayers for improved health and well being. We know the TCHS Community will support them both as they deal with their health issues and we thank you all.

Prayers have been requested for a young man, Nate Lore, the 11 year old son of Kristen Wojciewchowski '94 and nephew of Kerri '96. Nate suffered a serious eye injury that requires surgery on the globe of the eye. This can address the injury and family and friends ask for prayers for a full recovery of vision for Nate. All are relying on the power of prayer and support from our TCHS community. Many thanks for your prayers.

We have received a prayer request from Mrs. Pat Reusing Mank '62 for her godson, John Reed. John has suffered from Crohn's Disease since childhood and now, in his 30s, is in need of a kidney transplant. Please remember John, his godmother, Pat, and all the family, as they struggle during this most difficult time. All support is deeply appreciated.

A very good friend has requested prayers of healing for her friend, Michelle Burford, a transplant recipient with many health issues. Michelle had surgery in late November and is not healing well from that so we have been asked for our prayers and good thoughts and will think of her daily.

Prayers have been requested for Mrs. Sadie Matarazzo, mother of Mrs. Linda DeRemigis '74. Mrs. Matarazzo is in recovery from an illness and is in her 90's. She is struggling and would appreciate any prayerful support that could be offered through our Prayer Corner. The family is most appreciative.

Brandy Sine has requested prayers from our TCHS community for Angelina Sine for a return to good health and wellness. We join together for both Brandy, Angelina, and the entire Sine family and prayer for good health to return.

Tricia Bodnar '09 has requested prayers for her niece, Kayla, who is 28 years old, but has suffered a medical incident that seems to indicate she has suffered a stroke. We will keep Kayla in our prayers as her condition is further assessed and hold all of the family in our thoughts and prayers as well.

Diana Stitz '64 has informed us of the sudden death of her beloved husband, Roy, this past May. We have been asked to keep him in our prayers as well as prayers for the health of all family members.

Mrs. Deborah Zerhusen Cusick '70 has been in touch with us to ask for prayers during this major medical crisis she is facing. At this time, she has been diagnosed with stage 4 Kidney disease and will be seeking a donor early in the new year. She has asked for prayers for her current condition as well as for the possibility of finding a compatible donor soon.

Prayers have been requested by Lynnora Collins Sims, Class of '78, who lost her husband, John G. Sims, Jr., just last month after a short battle with leukemia. Family and friends are devastated but find strength and consolation in their faith and in asking for our prayers to help them through this experience. Lynnora is also facing some health issues in the coming months and requests your prayers for her treatment and recovery. All of the family extends deep gratitude to our network of prayerful supporters.

Prayers from the TCHS community have been requested for Christine Anello, sister of Mary Kappas Connors '68. We will remember Christine and the Kappas, Anello, and Connors families as well in our thoughts and prayers.

Prayers have been requested for Mary Jane Biancucci Thomas '61 and her husband, Ron, who are both dealing with various health issues at this time. We thank the TCHS community for their thoughts and prayers during this time.

A request has been made by Renata Durra Vance '67 for prayers for her husband, Michael, her loving spouse of 54 years, who went home to God this past May. We also include members of the Vance family and friends of Michael's who mourn his loss.

Prayers have been requested by Nance Waudby Hood '67 for her daughter, Melissa Belsinger, who suffered a stroke recently. We will also keep Melissa's family and friends in our prayers .

Brandy Sine has requested prayers for a special intention on behalf of the Sine and Dinisio families. We would like to ask the support of all who visit our Prayer Corner and include all of those in need of our prayers. We hope that our prayers may give strength and hope to our families mentioned above and we thank you.

Please keep in your prayers, Ms. Cindy Peacher, a cancer survivor, for continued good health and well being. Cindy thanks you for your thoughtfulness.

Prayers have been requested for Anthony Makres, a friend and dance instructor to many, who is currently recovering from serious surgery and now facing a very difficult recovery and adjustment in life. Please keep Anthony in your prayers and thank you from all who are praying for him.

A TCHS graduate has requested prayers for all first responders to catastrophic events each day. Their heroism and dedication too often goes without any THANK YOUs at all. God bless and keep them safe.

Prayers have been requested for Jimmy McFadden who died recently and was buried late last week. May the good Lord comfort and bless all of his family and friends.

Resources

Center for Action and Contemplation - author Richard Rohr, Franciscan priest, several options, of the most popular is daily reflections with weekly themes, several books available and other subtopics

Gratefulness.org - thoughts for the day, various sources

On Being Project - several options including poetry, essay, photos, Krista Tippett shares weekly

Laudate - broad, general resource/reference for all kinds of religious needs, information bank

The God Minute - daily ten-minute prayer/reflection each day

National Catholic Reporter - daily Catholic press articles, including Earthbeat, other topical sources

Take 5 For Faith - brief, prayerful reflection each day

Daily Readings - liturgical references to daily masses

Missio.org - Pope Francis' COVID-19 Emergency Solidarity Fund

The Word Among Us - daily meditations, reflections, and print materials

Insight Timer - free, daily meditation app

CatholicMom.com - daily prayer reflections

Heart of the Nation - Catholic Mass online, prayers