Prayer Requests
July, 2009

Dear Brothers, Associates, and friends, 
 
OUR PRAYERS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED …
IN PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING TO GOD ... for the divine gifts of life, love, mercy, and eternal salvation; the universal call to holiness; the wonders of creation; the patronage and inspiration of St. Francis and St. Clare; the joy of being in the MGC family; the perseverance of our professed members and prospective members in formation; the inquirers who are discerning vocations to religious life, particularly with MGC; the spiritual and material support of our members, associates, families, friends, and benefactors; the success of the MGC Spring Retreat held June 10 to 14 at the LaSalette Center, Attleboro MA; the election of Br. Donogh Allan Cuseo MGC as Secretary; the advancement of Br. Stephen Michael Rabi MGC and Br. Richard Robert Rivard MGC to the novitiate; the beautiful St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi medals donated by Br. Lee Mogavero SFO and distributed at the retreat; the success of the general chapter of the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor (OFM), including the re-election of Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo as Minister General, concluded in  Assisi on June 4praise to God and congratulations to Br. Donogh Allan MGC for completing the “Education for Ministry” program of the University of the South on May 31; for the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree awarded on May 16 by Andover Newton Theological School to Anissa Brooke Porticelli, a cousin-in-law of Br. Richard Robert Rivard MGC, and prayerful best wishes as she begins her ministry; the appointments* of (Roman Catholic) Bishop Gregory M. Aymond as metropolitan archbishop of New Orleans and Msgr. Timothy C. Senior as auxiliary bishop of the archdiocese of Philadelphia PA [June 19]; Bishop George J. Lucas as metropolitan archbishop of Omaha NE [June 5]; Msgr. John Oliver Barres as Bishop of Allentown PA and Msgr. Lee Anthony Piche as Auxiliary Bishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis MN [May 29], Bishop Joseph R. Cistone as bishop of Saginaw MI [May 22]the many blessiings bestowed on MGC and on each of us as individuals; for all prayers answered, and that in all things God may be glorified and praised!

* Please report the appointments or elections of major leaders of your denomination.
FOR WORLD PEACE ... for the withdrawal of the accelerating Israeli offensive, an end of the conflict between the Hamas and Fatah factions in the Gaza Strip, and the attacks against Israel; that there be a process to establish a homeland for Palestine, and for an offset of the rapid decrease of the Christian population in the Holy Land (from more than half a million in 2003 to less than 20,000 now), causing concern for the future survival of the Church in thwar-torn Middle East region*; that terrorist attacks in India cease; for rational resolutions of the wars in Iraq** and Afghanistan***; an end to the worsening situation of genocide in Darfur; that there be peace and stability in Pakistan; that hostilities between Russia and Georgia be permanently ended; for peace throughout the world; divine protection of our military men and women as they risk their lives and perform selfless acts in the pursuit of peace, and for their loved ones who sacrifice and suffer losses; the hundreds of innocent people injured in terrorist attacks; for a radical change in U.S. foreign policy, especially in Latin America; that all efforts to end  terrorism be sustained, and that peace be pursued by prayer and diplomatic means
 

NOTES: Christian leaders and congregants of the Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox, Protestant and African American church traditions in the USA, as Churches for Middle East Peace, have joined together to declare their support for robust U.S. peacemaking efforts and to call for meaningful progress to achieve a just and lasting two-state peace in that region. For further information and to add your name to a letter to President Obama, please click: http://www.cmep.org/boldaction. [submitted by Br. Richard Robert MGC].
 

                    ** March 19th was the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq . It was a day of mourning, repentance, and action.  The war and the occupation go on, soldiers and civilians are still dying [see latest numbers under “for those who have died” below], and Iraq still waits to rebuild in earnest. [For further information go to Pax Christi at www.paxchristiusa.org .]

 

           *** The war in Afghanistan has dragged on for more than seven years and, by all accounts, is getting worse. Increased funding for diplomacy and development, not for more military escalation, will bring long-term peace to that troubled region. [For more information go to Sojourners at www.sojo.net]

 

The National Catholic Conference on Peacemaking, sponsored by Pax Christi USA, will be held in Chicago , July 16-19. The conference's title, "Remaining Awake through a Great Revolution," is taken from a speech given by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  only four days before he was assassinated: "Anyone who feels, and there are still a lot of people who feel that way, that war can solve the social problems facing humankind is sleeping through a great revolution." Click here to obtain  more information on this year's conference.

 

FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS ... that our political leaders and expert economists will effectively resolve the country’s financial crisis, and for aggressive research to discover the cause(s) and hopefully a cure for autism. 
 
FOR THOSE WHO RECENTLY DIED ...  Mildred M. Barrie, James F. Davey, Edward R. Geoffrey, A. Florence McCall aMGC, Ed McMahon, and Sylvia Penn  [July 3]Francis J. Davenport, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, Florian E. Marquis Jr., Doris M. Montpetit, and Rose C. Zinno  [June 26]Bertrand Bessette, Roland Broberg, Jeanne Cahill, Suzanne D. Cross, Fr. Joseph-Mary Flanery OCD (friend of Br. Richard Robert MGC), Beatrice A. Gentes, Brian J. Lariviere, Marjorie L. Vose-Ashworth, and Arthur E. Weston Jr. [June 19];  deceased members of religious communities, all who have been killed in Iraq, especially the 4,321+ USA and coalition military and 92,485+ civilians, and all the faithful departed and their mourning families and friends.
 

IN MEMORY OF … Br. David John McKissock BMG (died July 29, 1993).

 
FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS ... all AIDS-infected/affected persons; Doris Arnold (mother of Br. James Anthony Arnold aMGC ); Daniel Ashlock; all children with autism; Gerald J. Bee (formerly Br. Gerald Joseph MGC; Florence BelliveauOmer Benoit; Madeleine M. Bradstreet (cousin of Br. Ron Francis MGC); E. Marie and Jean Burgess; Br. Stephen Edward Burke MGC; Charles A. Chenard; Claire M. Smith, (sister), Normand B. Crepeau (brother), and George A. and Lorraine Crepeau (cousins) of Br. Ron Francis MGC, and for himself; Jim Finn; Fr. Richard B. Gates; Robert Goldstein; Joseph Holmes; Mercedes Jacobo; Susan Jencks; Fr. Michael Kearney; Vivian Kelly (aunt of Br. James Bernard MGC; Sen. Edward M. Kennedy; Jim Kenney; Caroline King; Br. Timothy James Larson; Edward J. LeBlanc aMGC; Florence Marshall (mother of Br. Peter Christopher MGC); Eric Messier; J. Gregori Montano; Br. Stephen Michael Rabi MGC; Deborah Sarno (and intentions of husband John Sr. and their son John Jr.); Br. Max Bartholomew Scott MGC; Fr. Alexander Bernard Sinclair III; Fr Paul Soper (facing serious neurological issues and for discernment during times of trial); Br. Donald Columba Steele MGC; Blanche and Richard Sutherland; Steven Valdez; Philip A. Vose, and all other MGC members, associates, relatives, friends, and benefactors who are suffering from various illnesses and conditions.
 
FOR GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY ... Fr. Arsany (for strength to cope with personal issues); all children; Br. Ron Francis Crepeau-Cross MGC (special intentions); church and civic authorities dealing with issues of homosexuality; Fr. Alberto Cutié (Catholic priest struggling with mandatory celibacy who converted to the Episcopal Church); Br. Thomas Bonaventure MGC (travel mercies as he visits Barcelona, Spain , from July 7 to 21); federal and state courts/lawmakers (that they resolve the civil rights issues regarding marriage); all persons who are homeless; Br. James Bernard Kelly MGC (personal intentions); Edward J. LeBlanc aMGC (special intention); people who are poor; prisoners held captive by humans and systemsFr. Alexander Bernard Sinclair III and the parish of St. Gabriel the Archangel in Kansas City as they grow together in ministry and love for the Lord; David Speer (son of Br. William John MGC, that he make life choices that will help him realize his fullest potential); Steve (last name withheldwho feels unloved by his wife, suffers from drug addictions, has employment problems, and is facing financial bankruptcy); the ministries of MGC members and associates, and those of all others serving Jesus Christ; the sanctification of all priests, clergy, and religious, especially those who are challenged by sexual and other personal issues; the children in Ireland who were abused by the  Sisters of Mercy and Christian Brothers from 1910-1990, and healing for those who are still alive, and all other victims, survivors, and their families and supporters, as well as the perpetrators of sexual abuse and church leaders who have denied and covered-up these atrocities, and that everyone take greater care to safeguard minors from further abuse; all victims of violence; that we all be granted the graces of repentance for our sins, humility of heart and soul, simplicity of mind, and righteousness in the sight of God, and for all  persons who are in need and do not have anyone else to pray for them. 
 
COMBINED REQUESTS  From Renee: For illness: Aaron, Dennis, Isabella, Kris, Linda, Maria, Michael, Paulie, Raymond, Sandra, Stephanie, Steve, Susan; for relationships: Michael and Paulie's marriage and their new home; for other intentions: Gus, Helen, Jeff, Jennifer, Joanie, Lou, Michaellena, and Auntie Tutu. From Stephen M. Kariuki (Nairobi, Kenya): Praise to God for the gift of family life; for deceased Kariuki, Wanjiru, Waithera and Njeri; Ndungu, Cathrine, and Annastacia who are ill; for the families of Njihia and Mwangi; Kangethe who needs employment; blessings on Sarah and Alice, and on Stephen’s wife who is starting a new business, and that Stephen himself be freed me from debts. From Alma Franc: healing of her severe health problems and resolution of financial issues. From Billie Krantz: Dorothy and Leigh (illness), Bruce (financial matters, and her own employment issues  
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAYS ...  Br. Peter Christopher Marshall MGC (July 3), Roy Garcia aMGC (July 4), Roger L. Edens aMGC (July 12), Edward J. LeBlanc aMGC (July 15), Thomas W. Cruse aMGC (July 28), Bruce F. Bennink aMGC (August 2), Dan Lykins aMGC (August 3), and all others who are celebrating over the coming 30 days!

Please e-mail your weekly prayer intentions, by not later than Thursday at 5pm, to ensure publication on the next day, to Br. Ron Francis at MGCPrayers@gmail.com.  If you are not on e-mail, please write by snail mail to MGC Prayers c/o Br. Ron Francis, Mercy House, 45 Mendon Road, South Attleboro, MA 02703, or call me by telephone at (508)639-9287.  Kindly provide the full name of the person and the proper category.

Please help keep this list current by advising when prayers have been answered, and/or when individual names should appear in different categories, or should be removed.  Thanks! To add, delete or change a listing contact: Br.Ron, MGC