Prayer Requests
July, 2008

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 20th anniversary of our community being celebrated throughout 2008; the joy of being in the MGC family; inquirers discerning vocations to religious life; the perseverance of our professed and prospective members in formation; the many blessings bestowed on MGC and on each of us as individuals; the spiritual and material support of our members, associates, families, friends, and benefactors; the success of our 17th annual summer retreat, held June 18-22 at Carmel Retreat Center, Mahwah NJ,; the first profession of vows by Br. Brian Daniel Ammons and the reception of new candidates Br. Stephen Michael Rabi and Br. Richard Robert Rivard; the graduations and advancements of students at all levels; the formation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Equality Caucus in the U. S. House of Representatives, whose founding members are Reps. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Barney Frank (D-MA), and Patrick Kennedy (D-RI); the appointment of Br. Raymond Patrick McGarr MGC as senior pastor, Epworth United Methodist Church, Exmore VA, effective July 1, 2008, and the healing of his back ailment; the second wedding anniversary of Rep. Frank Ferri and Tony Caparco (June 12); the appointment of Msgr. Manuel Cruz as an auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark NJ * (6-9-08); the many years of pastoral ministry Sr. Pat Otillio RSM as she retires from service at St. Mary Parish and St. Francis Chapel & City Ministry Center, Providence RI; the consecration of Br. Benedict Joseph Connelly CHSB as a hermit for the Archdiocese of Boston on June 4; the ordination of five priests of Holy Name Province, Order of Friars Minor, held on May 24 (the new priests are Fr. Scott Brookbank OFM, Fr. Zachary Fr. Elliott OFM, Fr. Julian Jagudilla OFM, Fr. Gonzalo de Jesus Torres- Acosta OFM, and Fr. Christopher VanHaight OFM); the ruling by the California Supreme Court legalizing same-gender marriage; Brenda Eckels Burrows aMGC for her new love interest and his four children and two grandchildren, also her approval for an apartment in an elderly/disabled complex; the appointments of (Roman Catholic) Coadjutor Archbishop John C. Neinstedt as Archbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Bishop Richard E. Pates as Bishop of Des Monies IA, Fr. Anthony B. Taylor as Bishop of Little Rock AK, Msgr. James D. Conley as Auxiliary Bishop of Denver CO, Fr. Oscar Cantu as Auxiliary Bishop of San Antonio TX, and Fr. William J. Justice as Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco CA.*; for all prayers answered, and that in all things God may be glorified and praised!

 

* Please report new  leadership elected or appointed in your denomination so we can include them in our prayers.

 

FOR WORLD PEACE ... that there be peace and stability in Pakistan, following the assassination of former leader Benazir Bhutto; for a rational resolution of the war in Iraq, and an offset of the rapid decrease of the Christian population there (from more than half a million in 2003 to a little less than 20,000 now), causing concern for the future survival of the Church in that war-torn country; an end of the conflict between the Hamas and Fatah factions in the Gaza Strip of Palestine, and mitigation of the humanitarian disaster it has generated; a  permanent cease-fire in the Holy Land and the entire Middle East, and peace throughout the world; an end to the worsening situation of genocide in Darfur; 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, including the process for establishing a homeland for Palestine.

 

FOR THOSE WHO RECENTLY DIED ... Msgr. William J. Carey, George Carlin, Maurice L. Caron Jr., Msgr. Robert C. Newbold, Tim Russert, and William Traghella (June 20-27;  Sgt. Shane Padriag Duffy (killed in action in Iraq) and Marcelle J. Jamiel (June 13); Sheila Jensen, Aurora Meireles, José Maria de Alves Oliveira, and Salvador Ribeiro (June 6); also, deceased members of religious communities, including Br. Adrian Gaudin SC, Br. Ernest Loiselle SC, Br. Michael Mullin FMS, and Br. James Steinbach CM; all others who have been killed in Iraq, especially the 4,106+ USA and coalition military and 85,314+ civilians, and all the faithful departed and their mourning families and friends. 

 

IN MEMORY OF … Rolf Dahl, brother of Margie Dahl aMGC (he was killed in an accident 32 years ago); Robert F. Kennedy (assassinated June 5, 1968), and Br John David McKissock BMG (died July 29, 1993).   


FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS ...  For aggressive research to discover the cause(s) and hopefully a cure for autism; all those who were killed, injured, left homeless, and otherwise affected by the tornados in Colorado and Iowa, the earthquake in China, the cyclone that struck southern Myanmar, and other natural disasters elsewhere;

 

Also, for the Brothers and Sisters of Charity whose Little Portion Hermitage in Berryville AR was partially destroyed by fire on April 29 (the Charity Chapel and Common Center burned to the ground). This is the community founded by John Michael Talbot. They especially need prayers for the members of the community as they start the clean-up, recovery, and rebuilding. All are experiencing bronchial difficulties due to smoke inhalation, fatigue and even exhaustion in these early days.  Please pray for strength of spirit and body for them. Further information is available on the website www.johnmichaeltalbot.com. (Submitted by Br. Todd Dunstan Garvin MGC)

 

Also, as the presidential nomination/election process moves forward, that we be inspired by the Holy Spirit to select and support candidates who would lead with high moral principles and in the best interests of all the people, especially the poor and marginalized.

The Network of Spiritual Progressives has developed a Voter's Guide with a set of questions to consider when deciding which candidates to support. To view this guide, click: here.  To order hard copies, click here. For complete background information, click http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php?story=20080108155016195 .

Meanwhile, we pray for sustained blessings on President Bush, U. S. Senators and Congresspersons, and all state, county, and local officials as they continue to hold office. 

 

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; Omer Benoit; Jean and E. Marie Burgess; Br. Stephen Edward Burke MGC*; Etta Connors; Normand B. Crepeau (brother of Br. Ron Francis MGC); Br. Ron Francis Crepeau-Cross MGC; Br. Thomas Bonaventure MGC; Jim Finn; Br. Roger Fountain SC; Fr. Richard B. Gates;  David Handy’s dog, Dixie; Joseph Holmes; Susan Jencks; Richard J. Kaegael; Vivian Kelly (aunt of Br. James Bernard MGC); Sen. Edward M. Kennedy; Jim Kenney; Caroline King; Robert M. Landry; Edward J. LeBlanc aMGC; Fr. Philip A. Magaldi; Florence Marshall (mother of Br. Peter Christopher MGC); Von Monsanto Nery; Adelaide and Bruno Pedersen; Stephen Michael Rabi aMGC; Joseph Raffaele (father of Archbishop Raffaele, AOCC); Lynne Sams; 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 Sutherland, Richard Sutherland, Steven Valdez; Paul Vermette; Mary Wallace, Kari Wild (daughter of Margie Dahl aMGC );, and all other MGC members, associates, relatives, friends, and benefactors who are suffering from various illnesses and conditions. 

 

*  Br. Stephen Edward is coping with his chronic ailments – respiratory distress, back and leg pain, eye bleeding, carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy in both hands, and deafness.   

 

**  Br. Donald was hospitalized at Christmastime and suffered a stroke on January 1.  Surgery on his carotid artery was successful. He has enjoyed dramatic recuperation, as evidenced by his participation in the recent Summer Retreat.

 

FOR GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY ... Br. James Bernard and Br. Peter Christopher (travel mercies as they vacation in Europe from July 1 to 17}; all children; church and civic authorities struggling with issues of homosexuality; Carl B. Davis (relationship with Lisa Armstrong); federal and state lawmakers, that they be moved to resolve the civil rights issues regarding marriage; David Gilbert (for inner strength to come from the streets into God's arms, and face his addiction and legal issues); all persons who are homeless; Jackson in MA (unspecified intention); Shweta K. (seeking a husband); Ed LeBlanc aMGC (special intention); Mike and Niki O'Rourke and family (struggling with various health issues, disabilities, and financial problems); people who are poor; prisoners held captive by humans and systems; Br. Alfred Sarno Jr. SFO (discernment); Fr. 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 may overcome his self-defeating behavior) ; Robert A. Sterling (that the Lord overcome his enemies in the occult); Marianne Vangalio, missionary (seeks divine healing power in her life, and help with financial issues); MGC vocations outreach efforts and our various ministries 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 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 Annette Cruz: For Agnes, Aireen, Alice, Ana, Anjo, Antonio, Mike, Nemy, Rey, and Sherwin, for hearts closer to God, enlightenment, and change of hearts; for Agnes, Aireen, Alice, Ana, and Nemy, for discernment to obey God’s will in their lives; for Anthony John Cuarteron, for good health, guidance, and concentration on finishing his studies; for Antonio and Aida Basilio and family, for good family relations and peace of mind; for Nemy Basilio, for wisdom and knowledge to pass nursing examination, and good health; for Cheska, Rei Joseph, Paul Marquez, and Pauline Quilatan, for guidance, protection, good health, and to become God-fearing; for Rosita Cruz, for guidance, protection, and good health, and for herself and her husband Eddie, to deepen their prayer life, and guidance, wisdom, and financial blessings.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS ... to Br. William John Speer MGC (June 27), Donal J. Sheahan aMGC (July 1), Br. Peter Christopher Marshall MGC (July 3), Roy Garcia aMGC (July 4), and all who are celebrating in the coming week!



Please e-mail your weekly prayer intentions, by not later than Friday at 10 AM, to Br. Ron Francis at MGCPrayers@cox.net.  If you are not on e-mail, please write by snail mail to MGC Prayers c/o Br. Ron Francis,45 Urban Avenue #5, North Providence RI 02904-5939 , or call me by telephone at (401) 722-3132.  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