Living on Prayer

While I did not come of age in the 80’s, I remember my dad blasting Bon Jovi’s “Living on a Prayer”, along with a number of other classic rock hits when I was growing up. While I would act as though I disliked my dad’s choice in music, secretly I loved it. Perhaps this can be a reminder to all parents about the impact you have on your children even if you feel they are not paying attention.

As Christians the life of our soul is fed by prayer. Without prayer grace will dissipate within our soul and things of the world will begin to grow like weeds in an untended garden. To pray is to keep our soul awake and vigilant for the coming of the Lord. (Luke 21:36) Even when prayer is dry, we should remain vigilant because in the dryness and difficulty, Jesus is still trying to deepen our love or teach us some other lesson. If we remain vigilant, He will arrive eventually. Many saints have experienced extended periods of dryness in their spiritual lives. Such a trial is a proving ground for our ability to persevere. Take heart for even if you are undergoing difficulty in your prayer life, God is still good and will reveal Himself when most needed. You are treasured and the Lord only withholds to deepen our desire for His everlasting goodness. (Proverbs 3:12)

We will have an opportunity to remain vigilant in prayer in the coming weeks as we will have perpetual adoration leading up and through the November 7 election. This will be from Thursday, November 2- Tuesday, November 7, keep an eye out for more details and sign-ups. This will be an opportunity for us to intercede on behalf of human life by praying for the defeat of the Issue 1 ballot initiative which would greatly expand abortion rights in Ohio and strip rights from parents. So please sign up for an hour even if there are enough people signed up. We need as much grace as is possible to be poured into Ohio for this election. (Malachi 3:10)

Please note that you can go to the Shelby County Board of Elections website to find dates and times for early voting. I would encourage you to do this in order to avoid unforeseen circumstances that could hinder you voting on November 7. Please vote, we need everyone to show that Ohio is a Pro-Life state.

Next weekend we will have pastoral council elections. Please find a short bio for candidates in the bulletin. You can also vote this week by calling the office. Please prayerfully discern who God is calling to be on the pastoral council.

Please again remember to check the bulletin for Mass times for the Solemnity of All Saints on Wednesday, November 1 (vigil Masses on the evening of Tuesday, October 31). Remember this is a holy day of obligation. See you there!

Thank you to all of our staff who do a wonderful job in St. Joseph, Pillar of Families. I am so blessed and grateful to have such wonderful and prayerful people to work with every day. Please say thank you to our great staff. The Lord has blessed us through them. (Psalm 13:6)