St Mary Catholic Church

09/05/2026

September 5, 2026, Saturday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A

“The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” Lk 6:5

Lord, I sometimes feel sorry for the Pharisees because so many encounters with you were intended to challenge you and were even hostile at times. You didn’t fit their image of what they expected a Messiah to be. They didn’t know who they were talking to. They were blinded by a self-righteous observance of the law in every strict detail. Had they believed in you their encounters with you would have been much different. Lord, I know who you are and I believe you gave mankind the law. But I also know you expect us to observe it like you did. You have written the law upon my heart and that is where my obedience should come from. The law can’t save me, only you can. Put me in right relationship with the law and with you. May my obedience lead me to live a fuller, more abundant life. With your grace I can live in the freedom you won for me on the cross. Loving you and living the abundant life is not about completing a checklist. It’s about giving and surrendering myself to you each day. I trust in your grace and your word to guide me always. Amen.

09/04/2026

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09/04/2026

September 4, 2026, Friday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A

Trust in the Lord and do good… Ps 37:3

“Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins” Lk. 5:38

Lord, the older generation is challenged by the new technology of computers, smart phones and communication media that can be bewildering. If we can’t get our computer to work right we can turn to a young child who will fix it for us. We can adjust to these new devices or be left behind. We must adjust our faith to the times as well. While the basics of love of you and neighbor still apply new challenges cause us to grow and change how we meet them. Lord, I trust in you to guide me to be a flexible wineskin open to the demands of today’s world. You brought new life to a dead relationship when you came among us. Do not let me be stagnant and joyless in my faith. May I experience a conversion of heart and embrace how you desire I grow and become a new flower in your garden. You aren’t done with me yet. Build my trust in you with the grace needed to become who you created me to be. Teach me new ways to pray, put before me a life altering book, and make me open to new ways of serving you. Amen.

09/03/2026

September 3, 2026, Thursday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A ST. GREGORY THE GREAT, POPE, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the eyes of God…1 Cor. 3:19

“…but at your command I will lower the nets.” Lk. 5:5

Lord, Peter was a master fisherman. If he couldn’t catch fish after working hard all night what chance would there be in the daytime? After all, he was the expert and you were the son of a carpenter. What could you know about fishing? Yet something moved Peter to follow your advice and risk embarrassment by doing something unusual; something that didn’t make sense. What you told him to do was contrary to his experience. Lord, this story shows that your wisdom is greater than mine. I offer you my empty boat. When I fail by doing things my way let me have confidence and trust in your ways. And if you ask me to do something that doesn’t make human sense, may I have the faith to embrace the radical like Peter and your Blessed Mother who said “yes” to the impossible. Whether I’m looking for a job, trying to bring a loved one back to you or struggling with a difficult relationship, help me to be open to new and surprising blessings from you. With you in my boat I can accomplish so much more than I can alone. St. Gregory pray for us. Amen

09/02/2026

September 2, 2026, Wednesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A

He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works. Ps. 33:15

We are God’s coworkers. 1 Cor. 3:9

Lord, thank you so much for creating me and giving my life purpose and meaning. I believe everyone you have conceived in the womb is important and is your beloved child. There are no “throw away” people. We are, however, very diverse in the development and maturity of our gifts and how we fulfill your plan. Our human side tends to division, rivalry and competition in so many ways. Strip away pride and stubbornness so we can work together to build your kingdom. It is so difficult to be united in purpose and action. Lord, lead us to the unity you intended from the beginning. Show us how to work together and how our diversity can be used as an advantage. If we look to you and you alone as our God and Savior, we will grow together in common purpose. I thank you again for including me in your awesome plan and for giving me a role and blessing me with gifts and opportunities not given to anyone else. Whether I have a big or small task you value both. Hear the prayers of all your people and help us grow together to please you in all things. Amen.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

September 1, 2026, Tuesday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A

“For with power and authority he commands the unclean spirits… ” Lk. 4:36

Lord, we watch scary movies about evil spirits possessing people and the efforts at exorcism to remove them. What we view as fictional entertainment is a reality for some. The exorcism you performed in the synagogue showed the people your power over evil spirits. As you toured the countryside you expelled many demons one by one. When you were crucified on the cross you achieved victory over all of Satan’s forces for all time. You also have the power to remove darkness and evil from me too. My attraction to sin and cooperation with evil are serious obstacles to my path to your kingdom. Only you can command them to flee but I must agree to let them go. Lord, I give up the demons in my life. I want to live in the freedom of your Spirit. Show me the unclean spirits within me and apply your powerful grace to wash me clean. I believe you can do it with only a word. Please hear my prayer today for myself and those around me. Amen

08/31/2026

August 31, 2026, Monday of the 22nd Week in Ordinary Time-A

…faith might not rest on human wisdom but on the power of God. 1 Cor. 2:5

“…no prophet is accepted in his own native place.” Lk. 4:24

Lord, it must have broken your heart for your friends and neighbors to turn on you so much as to try to kill you. Your claim to be their long–awaited Messiah and savior was too much for them. In addition, you pointed out that your mission was like that of earlier prophets: to proclaim the good news to the poor and the outcast, even those who weren’t Jews. You, nor your message, fit what they looked for or wanted in a Messiah. You spoke God’s wisdom and not human wisdom, and it nearly cost you your life. Lord, you speak the same wisdom today. You call us to proclaim your good news to everyone even those who are not like us. Who today, Jesus, will you place in my path that needs to hear the freedom of your word? Who today can I heal with the power of God and his forgiveness and mercy? Who today needs a helping hand to be respected and valued like the immigrant or the lost or lonely? Please guide my words and actions today to be good news to those you call me to. Amen.

08/30/2026

August 30, 2026, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time-A

I urge you…to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice…Rom. 12:1

“…whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Mt. 16:25

Lord, I’m here in the abbey church of the Monastery of the Holy Spirit. The monks will be coming in soon for Evening Prayer. They are the most literal models of those who have lost their lives for your sake. It’s hard for me to put myself in their place because I am so attached to the world. I don’t know how my conversion will go in the years ahead. I’m not drawn to become a monk, but I’m sure that I can give my life for your sake and still live in a family. I can let go of whatever is an obstacle to the holiness I can feel in this place. It requires firm choices and commitment to stay faithful to the vocations you have called me to. I have so far to go, my dear Jesus, to accept the cross that you ask me to carry. Lord, I offer myself to you. I join my prayers with the timeless prayers of these monks. Help me to carry my cross each day. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen.

08/29/2026

August 29, 2026, Saturday of the 21st Week in Ordinary Time-A PASSION OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST

God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and the weak of the world to shame the strong. 1 Cor. 1:27

Lord, how true are these words written hundreds of years before John the Baptist. They were true when written, true when spoken by you and John, and true now as we remember his martyrdom for witnessing to the truth. John was not afraid to be different. He prepared the way for you with the people of his time. He pointed to you as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. He baptized you in the Jordan River as an example and model for us. John gave his life because of his goodness, fidelity and commitment to the truth. All the while he was filled with the Holy Spirit and made full use of the graces provided to him. Lord, may I have the courage of John to witness to you and the peace and forgiveness you have brought through your passion and death. Be my strength as I face the lies and untruths of our time. You have always been near to me and are the source of all the good in my life. Help me recognize you today and trust in your plan. St. John pray for us. Amen.