Witnesses of Prayer in the Community
Prayer is powerful, and a tool I underutilize.
I began praying with a pair of very faithful moms at our Catholic schools a couple of years ago through the Moms in Prayer group at St. Pius and St. John's schools. It is a gift to be able to gather in prayer, and specifically pray for the needs of our school community as well as the individual students, teachers, and staff by name. Often in the busyness of daily life we are swept up in the whirlwind of activities and demands, but when we intentionally make time to pray, the fruits of that time are great. Nothing given to God is ever wasted. Our time, our talent, our energy, if given to God freely, can bless our lives more than we can imagine.
We are always welcoming more moms to join us in prayer so please reach out if interested or look for a prayer group at your school. It can be intimidating or uncomfortable to think about praying with others, but there is also comfort in knowing that other moms are experiencing the same struggles and challenges. Come Holy Spirit, teach us how to pray.
Jody Haselkorn
Parishioner
jodymjune@gmail.com
The year of COVID, 2020, was my oldest daughter’s Year I for Confirmation Preparation. As you know, this preparation ended abruptly in March due to COVID. The next fall for the Year II, we had some activity conflicts, and the only night Confirmation was offered, we had a conflict, so we never continued our preparation. This past fall, we signed up my youngest for Year I and then the oldest for Year II. It has been difficult inspire their eagerness to attend, especially the oldest due to her being the oldest candidate in the program.
I signed up for prayer for all the Faith Formation Community because I know I must not be the only parent experiencing resistance from their children to want to complete this class for the Sacrament and to come back to church regularly. I welcomed the opportunity to pray for all the children in Faith Formation and really welcome the quiet time of reflection and prayer. There is something calming about being in the Church in the evening with only the font for noise and really focusing on what needs we have to ask for help with. It has really helped me to come and to want to be more present and more eager in prayer. I didn’t know I needed this time to focus in quiet without distraction, to really be present, and with life so busy with the kids and their school and other activities, I really welcome an hour of prayer. I continue to pray for all the faith formation community, for eagerness, and for the desire to want to be a part of our community.
Susan Rendernick
Parishioner