St. Michael's Independent Catholic Church, 6440 King Road, Loomis, CA (2026)

08/28/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
August 30, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

In today’s first reading we hear from the prophet Jeremiah, “…..I will not mention God, I will speak in God’s name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,…..” Sounds like Jeremiah is mad at God. Aren’t there times when we get mad at God? Why? Could it be when tragedies happen in our lives, in our world? When a loved one is harmed by hate? Devastated by discrimination? Senselessly killed by gun violence? Bad things happen but isn’t God supposed to be good? Like Jeremiah, do we find our hearts on fire for God, drawing us back from our anger, back to the love God has for us? May we feel God’s love, knowing it is always there, despite the bad times we encounter; God’s love never waivers, never falters, never leaves us.
We pray.

We hear from Paul in the second reading, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God,….” Do not conform yourselves to this age. Discern what is the will of God. Good advice, isn’t it? Aren’t there many ways in this world that try to lead us away from God? Luring with lies? Misdirecting with deception? Enticing with corrupt power? May we not conform to this age, but rather, be transformed by God’s love; may we discern God’s will, abiding by the laws of God, following God’s ways with fearless faith.
We pray.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.” Deny themselves. Wouldn’t that be hard to do? Take up their cross. Wouldn’t that be a burden to carry? Follow me. Wouldn’t that require courage and commitment? Yet, isn’t this a formula for success for his followers? May we do what it takes to follow Jesus, following his example, living with love, caring with compassion, being Eucharist for others.
We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love.

Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

08/26/2026

Today we remember with gratitude Dolly Parton, who died at the age of 80.

Dolly gave the world extraordinary music, but she also gave something even more precious: kindness. She used her success to help children learn to read, to support communities in need, and to remind people, especially those who had sometimes been pushed to the margins, that they were worthy of love and belonging.

Her Christian faith was never something she needed to use against another person. She seemed to understand something at the heart of the Gospel: love is meant to be given away.

For generations of LGBTQ+ people, Dolly was also a beloved friend and ally. A joyful reminder that faith, authenticity, laughter, fabulousness, and unconditional love can indeed belong together.

May the God whom Dolly loved receive her now into that great embrace where there are no outsiders and no strangers, only beloved children finally home.

Rest in peace, Dolly. And thank you for making this world a little kinder, a little brighter, and a whole lot more sparkly. ✨🌈

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:13

08/22/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
August 23, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

In the first reading, Yahweh rewards Eliakim for his loyalty. “I will place the key of the House of David on Eliakim's shoulder; when he opens, no one shall shut, when he shuts, no one shall open.” Loyal. Faithful. Entrusted with responsibility. How does God see our faithfulness? What does God entrust us with? Aren’t we entrusted with living the Gospel message? With bringing compassionate caring, understanding acceptance, merciful love, to each other, to our world? May we be committed to being loyal, to being faithful, to God; may we be committed to responsibly caring for others, serving them with love, as we help build God’s kin-dom here on earth, here and now. We pray.

We hear in the second reading, “Oh, the depth of the riches, wisdom, and knowledge of God!” Think about that. Isn’t it so much more than we can truly comprehend? Can we ever understand the depth of God? Can we ever understand God’s will, God’s ways? Can we ever understand why bad things happen? Can we ever understand all the ways God works in our lives? Even when we don’t think he is there? As we think about the depth of God, may we go deeper into our relationship with God, deeper into what it means to be a disciple of Jesus; may we deepen our desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. We pray.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?" How would we answer that question? Sit with that for a moment. Who is Jesus to us? How important is he? Isn’t he part of us?
Doesn’t he live in us, through us? How can we let the light and the love of Jesus shine in our lives? Can’t we share the love of Jesus by serving others, by caring for others, by loving others? As Peter was entrusted to be the foundation of the church, aren’t we entrusted to continue building the church, building the kin-dom, with love? May we know deep in our hearts, deep in our souls, who Jesus is to us; may we help others to know Jesus through how we live our lives. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love. Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

08/16/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
August 16, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

We hear from the Prophet Isaiah in today’s first reading, “Thus says Yahweh: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my liberation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.” Observe what is right. Do what is just. Shouldn’t we always strive to do what is right? What is just? When do we fall short? Is it when we have accepted the unacceptable? When we have normalized the abnormal? When we have stayed silent instead of speaking out? May our faith compel us to always do what is right, to seek justice despite the cost, to face challenges with faithful courage.
We pray.

The second reading tells us, “For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” God’s gifts. God’s call. They are ours; he will not take them back. What gifts has God given us? How is he calling us to use them? Don’t we need to use them in the best ways possible? In ways that serve others, helping them when they are suffering, when they are vulnerable? Can we use the gift of our compassion to care for those hurting? Can we use the gift of our understanding to listen to unheard voices? Can we use the gift of our love to embrace the unloved? May God guide us in using our gifts, in answering his call; may God help us to always serve others with love.
We pray.

In the Gospel, a woman of great faith begs Jesus to help her. “Have pity on me, Lord, Son of David!” And Jesus did. Jesus listened to the woman, a foreigner, someone outside of his culture. But he didn’t let their differences stop him. He recognized her faith. How many times have foreigners, outcasts, the marginalized, the other, asked us for help? How did we respond? Did we see their differences or did we see Christ in them? What do we see when we look at someone different than us? Help us to see with the eyes of Christ, help us to reach out with the hands of Christ, help us to love with the heart of Christ.
We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love. Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

08/09/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
August 9, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

We hear in the first reading about Elijah taking shelter in a cave. “Then Yahweh said to him, ‘Go outside and stand on the mountain before Yahweh; Yahweh will be passing by.’" How often does Yahweh pass by us? Do we even notice? Are we paying attention? Can we find God when, and where, we least expect? Do we have preconceived ideas that get in the way of finding God? May we pay attention so we can notice where God is present in our lives. May we know God is in the unexpected; may we know God can be found in all things, in all places, in all people, at all times. We pray.

In the second reading, St. Paul wrote about his relationship with his fellow Jews. “I speak the truth in the Christ, I do not lie; my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.” Great sorrow. Constant anguish. Isn’t that what we feel when our relationships fracture, when they break? When we are not in right relationship with others? Isn’t this part of the human condition? Aren’t we all broken in some way? How can we find ways to help heal our broken humanity? May we always speak the truth, may we be guided by our conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit, to treat one another, always with dignity and respect, with understanding and love; may we always strive to be in right relationship with others. We pray.

In the Gospel, the disciples are being tossed about in a boat, in stormy seas; they see someone walking on water toward them. “At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’" In the midst of our storms, isn’t Jesus there, with us? Take courage. Do not be afraid. Yet, in those moments of uncertainty and fear, isn’t it hard to find courage? To not be afraid? How can we find Jesus in the darkness of life’s storms? How can we know he is with us? Don’t we feel comfort and hope, knowing we do not walk alone, knowing Jesus walks with us, every step of our way through life? May we be mindful of his presence, knowing Jesus is with us as we travel life’s path, knowing he is a trusted companion on our journey. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love. Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

08/01/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
August 2, 2026
Feast of the Transfiguration of Jesus
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

We hear from the Prophet Daniel in the first reading, "As the visions during the night continued, I saw: One like a Son of man coming, on the clouds of heaven;..." How do we envision the Son of Man coming? Will it be a celestial scene? In many ways, though, isn't Jesus already with us? When we truly look, can't we find God in all things, in all people, in all places? Don't we perpetuate the presence of Jesus by being Eucharist to others? May Jesus come, and be alive, in our world, through us, in us, because of us. We pray.

We hear in the second reading, "Moreover, we possess the prophetic message that is altogether reliable. You will do well to be attentive to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, ..." The prophetic message. Be attentive to it. Where does the prophetic message shine light in darkness today? Does it illuminate the truth when it's covered up? Does it shine light on discrimination and hate when they become normalized? Does it bring to light the suffering of our immigrant sisters and brothers as they desperately flee dangerous homelands, seeking refuge in our country? Does it illuminate the devastating suffering of our earthly home as our climate so urgently cries out? May we listen to prophetic messages, may we pay attention, may we help shine light in darkness. We pray.

In the Gospel we hear, "Jesus took Peter, John and James and led them up a high mountain. There his appearance was changed before their eyes." Changed before their eyes. Imagine being there. Imagine seeing this transfiguration. Wouldn't that be frightening? How often do we see change take place right before our eyes? How does such change affect us, transform us? Does it compel us to action? To work for justice, for peace, for harmony? May we see where change is needed, in our world, in ourselves; may we find the courage to change, may we be the change. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love.

Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

07/25/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
July 26, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

In the first reading, Solomon asks God, “Give your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge your people and to distinguish right from wrong.”

An understanding heart. The wisdom to distinguish right from wrong.

What do we ask God to give us? Wisdom to know right from wrong? Strength to stand up for the marginalized? Courage to speak truth to power?

May we ask God for the guidance and grace to live out the Gospel message with wisdom, strength, and courage. We pray.

We hear from Paul in today’s second reading: “We know all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to God’s purpose.”

God’s purpose. What is God’s purpose for us?

Doesn’t God want us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? To be his hands, his feet, and his heart here on earth? To bring compassionate care, understanding mercy, and unconditional love to all we meet?

Doesn’t God want us to do God’s will—to be light in the darkness and goodness where evil abounds? Don’t these things work for good?

May we strive to follow God’s ways, fulfilling God’s purpose and becoming goodness and light, always remembering the power of God’s deep love. We pray.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field.”

Like a treasure.

What treasures do we choose? What sacrifices do we make for them? What are the treasures in our lives?

Isn’t our faith a treasure? Isn’t the presence of God in our lives a treasure? Don’t we count our family, friends, and relationships as treasures?

What do we truly treasure?

May we recognize all the true treasures in our lives. May we treasure being co-creators with God, helping to build God’s kin-dom and using all the gifts with which we have been blessed. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, those we love, and for the intentions we now bring before God. These intentions may be spoken aloud or offered in the silence of your heart.

Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us, and all our concerns, to the fulfillment your love intends.

We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

07/18/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
July 19, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

The Book of Wisdom tells us in the first reading, “…. And you taught your people, by these deeds, that those who are just must be kind; …” Must be kind. Don’t we need to be kind, caring, compassionate? Patient and forgiving? Don’t we need to treat everyone with dignity and respect? With understanding and acceptance? Don’t we need to pursue justice for all? Isn’t this how we need to be as we help build God’s kin-dom, here on earth? Let us be mindful of how we act, how we live, how we treat others. As we help build the kin-dom, let us trust in God’s patience, in God’s forgiveness, in God’s merciful love. We pray.

In the second reading, we hear from Paul, “The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness, ….” In our weakness. In our brokenness. The Spirit aids us. Doesn’t the Spirit give us strength when we are weak? Lift us up when we are down? Bring light to our darkness? Doesn’t God rescue us in our weakness, in our brokenness? Isn’t she always there, with us, helping to guide us on our journey through life? May we recognize the Spirit’s presence in our lives, each and every day. May we help others in their times of weakness, when they are broken; may we encourage them with support, empower them with confidence, transform them with love. We pray.

In the Gospel we hear about wheat and weeds growing together, with Jesus saying, “Let them grow together until harvest; …” Wheat and weeds. Good and evil. Both exist. How can we recognize evil? Isn’t it hidden in plain sight sometimes? When evil blatantly, repeatedly, lies? When evil is unabashedly cruel? When evil is subtly normalized? When we see the manifestation of evil in our world, what can we do? Respond with goodness? Encourage goodness to grow? To spread? To overtake the evil? How can we show evil the way to goodness? May we always have the courage to speak out, to stand up, for what is good, what is right, what is just; may we be the good that overcomes evil. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love.

Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

07/11/2026

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
July 12, 2026
By Denise Johnston

One of the duties of the faithful is to pray for the world. Let us remember all those who most need our prayers.

In the first reading we hear, “Thus says the Lord: …. so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; my word shall not return to me void, but shall do my will, …”. Do my will. Are we doing God’s will? Is it God’s will to wage war? Or have peace? Is it God’s will to hunt down immigrants, shooting and killing them in our streets? Or welcome and accompany them? Is it God’s will to deceitfully lie? Or be guided by truth? When we see God’s will not being done, shouldn’t we be even more compelled to do God’s will? May we listen to God’s call in our lives, may we live to do his will, with tender compassion, with unconditional love. We pray.

Paul wrote a message of hope in the second reading, “Brothers and sisters: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” Something to keep in mind, isn’t it? No matter how much darkness there is, glorious light will come. Certainly, the sufferings of our present time are incalculable. Unimaginable. How much have our immigrant sisters and brothers suffered? How much have our poor and vulnerable suffered? How much have our sick without medical coverage suffered? How much? What does it really feel like to live without shelter? What does it really feel like to be starving? What does it really feel like to be locked in a detention facility? May we help alleviate the suffering of others, in any way that we can; may we help give them hope, by living our faith, by always trusting in God’s promise. We pray.

Jesus tells the parable about the sower and the seed in today’s Gospel. “And he spoke to them at length in parables, saying: ‘A sower went out to sow. …’”. What seeds are we sowing today? Can our seeds of love choke out seeds of hate? Can our seeds of truth choke out seeds of lies? Can our seeds of compassion choke out seeds of cruelty? May we plant seeds of mercy, seeds of compassion, seeds of love; may we nurture them, helping them to grow into a bountiful harvest to share with all. We pray.

For all prayer requests received by our church, for our families, and those we love.

Loving God, hear our prayers and bring each one of us and all our concerns to the fulfillment your love intends. We pray through Jesus, our brother. Amen.

07/07/2026

📖 The Past Is Not Finished
Seeing the Patterns. Choosing Compassion.

History isn't just about what happened—it's about understanding how the past continues to shape our world today.

Join us for a thoughtful conversation with Tom Bloom as we explore how history, faith, and compassion can help us make sense of today's challenges. Together we'll look beyond dates and events to discover patterns, ask meaningful questions, and imagine a more hopeful future.

Whether you're a history enthusiast, a person of faith, or simply curious about our world, you're warmly invited.

🗓 Sunday, July 12
🕞 3:30 PM
📍 St. Michael's ICC

Come ready to learn, reflect, and engage in respectful conversation. Everyone is welcome.

"The past is not finished. Understanding it helps us choose compassion today."

Contact us for zoom information.

St. Michael's Independent Catholic Church

08/28/2026

08/26/2026

08/22/2026

08/16/2026

08/09/2026

08/01/2026

07/25/2026

07/18/2026

07/11/2026

07/07/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Place Of Worship

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request