Saint Edward Catholic Church, Cynthiana Kentucky

09/08/2026

Today's Prayer:

09/08/2026

Today's Guest Host: Fr. Dennis Gallagher, A.A.
September 8, 2026: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Our Family Story: "You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah…from you shall come forth for me one who is to be the ruler in Israel." Micah 5:1

Before getting to how Jesus was born, today’s Gospel re­counts the long genealogy of God’s salvific work. (See Matthew 1:1-17.) On this day when Mary’s birth is celebrated, the intended takeaway is that she did not come out of the blue.

For all of her singularity as the Mother of God, what is true about her in the first place is her belong­ing to a family, to a people and to a tradition that schooled her and prepared her heart for what was to come. Her singular role is inserted into that long and patient waiting for the Messiah who would fulfill his promises to Israel.

So maybe this is a day for us to keep our own family story in mind, to be grateful for what has brought us to this point in our lives. This includes our family by birth and our family by rebirth, the Church, that continues to inspire lives of generosity and compassion and service. And, shall we say, our Living Faith family.

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09/08/2026

Feast Day: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This special day honors Mary's birth, marking the beginning of God's salvation plan.

While her birth isn't detailed in the Bible, tradition tells us she was born to Saints Joachim and Anne. Mary's birth brings joy to humanity, as she was chosen to be the Mother of God.

This feast also highlights God's providential preparation for the Incarnation and falls exactly nine months after the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8.

09/08/2026

Ralph's Daily Inspiration: Who You Choose to Be

Your life is filled with competing desires. The ones to which you’re more committed than others, are the ones that win.

Is there some particular desire you cannot seem to fulfill? In all likelihood, another stronger, well-entrenched desire is preventing that fulfillment.

To achieve the life you envision, you must make yourself the person who genuinely desires and lives that life. That means abandoning the competing desires and priorities holding you back.

If you dislike the choices that bring about results you desire, those results will be temporary at best. For the results to endure, you must desire the cause as much as you desire the outcome.

For example, a stable high income level requires you to embrace a career that produces it. Similarly, long-term physical fitness depends on your continuing commitment to the lifestyle choices that make it possible.

The outcomes in your life are not compartmentalized events that you can simply select from a menu. They’re the direct result of the person you most consistently choose to be.

-Ralph Marston

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09/08/2026

Today's Written Prayer: September 08, 2026: To Engage in Life Faithfully
Lord Jesus, When challenges come my way, may Your example remind me that being blessed is not the same as being unchallenged or carefree. Amen.

09/07/2026

Today's Guest Host: Deborah A. Meister
September 7, 2026: 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
‘A Little Yeast’: "Do you not know that a little yeast leavens all the dough? Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough, inasmuch as you are unleavened." 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

Every Sunday, I make a loaf of artisan bread. Flour, water, fresh yeast, salt and a few other common ingredients mixed together and left on the counter soon triples in size. Nothing extravagant has been added to the dough, and no tiresome kneading is necessary. The aroma of the baking bread is hard to resist and draws everyone to the kitchen when it comes out of the oven.

St. Paul reminds us that like fresh yeast in the bread dough, followers of Jesus can transform their families and communities. We don’t boast about our past victories or wallow in criticism over anyone’s imperfections.

But we can admit our own failures, toss out old grievances and pray for forgiveness. Only then can the extraordinary happen. Renewed by God’s grace, we will begin again, transforming our environments through the compassion of Christ.

09/07/2026

Today's Saint: St. Cloud

He was the son of French royalty—caught up in political machinations that cost his brothers their lives, he fled the court to spend his life handing on the faith.

Clodoald—or “Cloud” as we know him in English—was the youngest of four grandsons of the great king Clovis, and his grandmother was St. Clotilde. After Clovis died, his kingdom was eventually split among his grandsons, and because they were too young to rule, the country was governed by an uncle.

When Cloud was 8 years old, the ruling uncle fell into a scheme to dispose of these heirs and to assume the kingship for himself. Cloud escaped, but his brothers were killed.

When he matured, Cloud made no claims to the throne, and sought out the life of a hermit. He became a follower of St. Severinus, a hermit who lived near Paris. Later, Cloud moved to Nogent and the place where he settled is now called “Saint-Cloud” (a sister city in Minnesota bears the same name).

He spent the rest of his life teaching the faith to people who lived nearby and was sought out for his advice. When it was clear that his attempts at solitude were not working, he followed the wishes of the people and returned to Paris, where he was ordained a priest and led the faithful. St. Cloud died in 560 when he was 36.

09/07/2026

Today's Written Prayer: September 07, 2026: Prayer for All Who Labor

Lord Jesus, How often, as a child, did You marvel at the things that Joseph made? Please bless all who work with skillful hands, building the Kingdom through their trades.

You grew up in the love and care of Mary, who became our Mother, too. Please bless the unsung work of parents In bringing children close to You.

You told a parable of workers waiting In the vineyard to labor. Please bless all now searching for new work; through employment, grant them favor.

To each person is granted a vocation, holy purpose to fulfill. Please bless workers devoted in every field with strength to do the Father’s will. Amen.

09/07/2026

Ralph's Daily Inspiration: Proactive Efforts

Identify an action you’ll be thankful to have completed. Get to work today and do it.

Minimize the regret and maximize the gratitude in your future. Transform time that will quickly disappear into value that endures.

Go beyond wishing and planning and procrastinating. Take good and useful action now.

Refuse to accept any more excuses from yourself. Experience the satisfaction of achieving timely and meaningful results.

The opportunities of today are yours. Make full use of them while you can.

Tomorrow you’ll look back and be thankful for doing so. And you’ll be even more motivated to continue your proactive efforts again and again.

— Ralph Marston