The Prayer Corner

Daily Prayer & Reflection

Our Franciscan Charism focus for this school year is: INTEGRITY AND GRATITUDE

We are already a week into Lent but I suspect many of us have not come to terms with being in this season known for penance and self-denial...'giving up' becomes the guide for what we might do to let God know we are remorseful and so wish we could avoid our weaknesses and faults and failings. For whatever reason this year,  I have determined to look at this season differently. I still want God to know that I regret the many things I wish I could avoid doing but why not try to show God that by doing something good instead...something for another?  Maybe approaching this season that seems so negative in more positive ways would be more productive and would help me see that God views our sincerity in what we DO, not in a lot of DON'T DO's.
The options are endless and we can be creative and adventurous every day in looking for new ideas and actions that can make others happy and help others face life's challenges and difficulties.  Sounds almost too easy and fun to be considered penance or self-denial but any time we are putting others ahead of ourselves and DOING something positive or nice for someone, the presence of Jesus in that person sees it and benefits from our care and interest.  And God knows we are DOING good not just AVOIDING an evil.
We know, too, that we are called to FAST and ABSTAIN from certain things during Lent.  But even Pope Francis is asking us to think differently about fasting  and has shared a list with us that includes things beyond the usuals this Lent:
Fast from hurting words and say kind things...
Fast from anger and be filled with patience...
Fast from complaining and be filled with gratitude...
Fast from selfishness and be generous to others...
Fast from any words and be silent so that you may really listen...
...and the list goes on....                                                        Pope Francis
Perhaps, simply, this Lent can be about positive and generous changes in our lives that, during the course of this season can become good habits that never leave us!  What a conversion of the negative ways of looking at Lent!  And in the end, it is more than OK to feel good about ourselves and our efforts. I suspect those positive feelings will only lead us to making more such efforts each day.
 
So, a very happy and blessed Lent to everyone!  May each day create a newness in us that makes God very happy indeed!

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Intentions

Email Sister Ann

As we start our new year, we have had many requests from faculty, staff, and TCHS families for prayers for the sick of body and mind.  We include all of our families and friends each and every day in our prayers and trust that God who sees and knows all of our good intentions will hear our prayers and assist us in times of need.  Please don't hesitate to be in touch with us for specific intentions and know that we do include them in prayer.

The Cole family, including Elizabeth and Rebecca, have requested prayers for a young man, Charlie, who is just 19 years old, but has been battling leukemia for over a year and is very sick. He and his family need our support through our prayerful thoughts each day. Please keep him close and ask the help of our compassionate Lord.
 
Ro Curran '68 has requested prayers from the TCHS Community for her husband, Steve, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that is advanced.  We offer Ro and all the family our prayerful support during this very difficult time.

Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Kaylin Waclawski, a young woman of 19, who died tragically from an overdose a few days ago...we mourn with and for her family and friends and ask God's gentle compassion and support.
We pray for all of those undergoing radiation and other treatments for cancer and ask for God's guidance and wisdom for all caregivers who are tending the sick.  May we be compassionate and caring to those who have lost loved ones in these recent months and show them the support they need at this time.

A member of our faculty has asked for prayers for a good friend named Linda who is having a very rough time right now.  This is what good friends do...help whenever they can and pray for God's support and graces as we see someone we care about struggling with duties and responsibilities in life.  This request came to us because Linda is an alumna of TCHS and her friend thought we would all pray for her and her family as they deal with many, many issues at this time.  Many of us know how that feels and can sympathize...thank you for including Linda in your thoughts and prayers.

Prayers for a successful surgery and recovery for Diane Prochnow have been requested. She is a friend of one of our seniors. The TCHS community will keep her in prayer and ask God's comfort and a speedy recovery.

The entire TCHS community mourns the loss of Nikoletta (Nikki) Roros '08, who was killed in a car accident this past weekend.  We offer our sympathies and prayers to the family and friends of Nikki and ask God's comfort and support.

Prayers have been requested by the Pell family for the recovery of Mrs. Sharon Pell, grandmother of Olivia Pell '27, from serious surgery.  We ask God's grace and blessing for Mrs. Pell and all the family.

Prayers have been requested for Maryanne Czyz '77  who died suddenly after a recent diagnosis of lung/liver cancer.  Her family has asked for prayers for her and we also include all of her family and friends who mourn her loss.

Prayers have been requested for Liam O'Reilly who is suffering with leukemia and has contracted several infections that are resisting treatment. Please keep Liam and family in your prayers.

Prayers are being requested for Mrs. Shirley Thoman, who has had a bad fall and broken three ribs. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.

We have been asked by Mrs. Barbara Hoey '57,  to please include in our prayers her husband, Vernon, who is suffering from side-effects in treatment for his illness.  We would include Vernon and all the family in our prayers and ask God's graces for recovery.

Prayers have been requested by Peg Miller '77, Kathy Miller Krause '79, and Erin Miller Brown '83  for their dad, Greg Miller, who is having heart surgery on November 13. We include Mr. Miller and all the family in our prayers and offer our  support for a successful surgery and full recovery.

Please remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of Stephanie Buckley, Class of '65, IND, who died this past weekend and all of her family and friends who mourn her loss.

Let us remember two relatives of our Sisters in Aston, PA.
Mr. Jack Gunder, brother-in-law to one of our sisters and Mrs. Janice Clow, a cousin to another sister at the Motherhouse.  We also remember in our thoughts the families of these two individuals and ask God's comfort and grace.
Please keep in your prayers Duffy Baker, the son of Linda Baker, '66. Duffy suffered a stroke last week and is currently in the hospital recuperating.  We keep him and his wife and children in our thoughts and prayers and ask for his full  recovery.

'Prayers are requested for Addy Eppig, a premature baby, born very early and weighing only 2lbs. 7 oz. Please keep Addy and her family in your prayers.

Our TCHS community has been asked to pray for Ms. Theresa Taulbee who is ill and awaiting test results...family asks for our prayers for a good outcome.


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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


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