More Celebrations

This past Sunday, June 5, I was in Chicago for Mass at Corpus Christi Church.  The parish was honoring Sr. Marilyn Freking and Sr. Ann Rubly who have decided to retire and move to the motherhouse in Dubuque, IA.  Sr. Ann has served at Corpus Christi for 44 years; Sr. Marilyn for 53.

The Mass was well-attended by parishioners, former students, and the Dubuque Franciscans.

To honor the Franciscan Sisters as well as the friars of Sacred Heart Province, the pastor dedicated the courtyard in the name of the Franciscans.

On Monday, June 6, at St. Peter Cathedral in Belleville, IL, Bishop Edward Braxton presided at a Mass to honor the priests celebrating milestone jubilees of ordination.  One of the honorees (or some might say "orneries" in this case) was Fr. Christian Reuter who is celebrating his 50th jubilee of ordination.  Chris worked for years at Hales Franciscan High School in Chicago and followed me as pastor at Corpus Christi.

O God, please call more women and men to generously serve the Church as sisters, brothers, and priests!

Celebration of the Sacred Heart of Jesus: Litany

Today, June 3, is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus--the patron of our Franciscan Province.  May the wounded Heart of Christ inspire the friars and all Christians to be more generous in their love and in their willingness to sacrifice for others.

Here is part of the Litany of the Sacred Heart that is found in our Province's Franciscans at Prayer.

God our Father in heaven  (Have mercy on us...) God the Son, Redeemer of the world God the Holy Spirit Holy Trinity, one God Heart of Jesus, Son of the eternal Father Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother Heart of Jesus, one with the eternal Word Heart of Jesus, infinite in majesty Heart of Jesus, holy temple of God Heart of Jesus, tabernacle of the Most High Heart of Jesus, house of God and gate of heaven Heart of Jesus, aflame with love for us Heart of Jesus, source of justice and love Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love Heart of Jesus, well-spring of all virtue Heart of Jesus, worthy of all praise Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts Heart of Jesus, treasure-house of wisdom and knowledge Heart of Jesus, in whom there dwells the fullness of God Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father is well pleased Heart of Jesus, from whose fullness we have all received Heart of Jesus, desire of the eternal hills Heart of Jesus, patient and full of mercy Heart of Jesus, generous to all who turn to you Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness Heart of Jesus, atonement for our sins Heart of Jesus, overwhelmed with insults Heart of Jesus, broken for our sins Heart of Jesus, obedient even to death Heart of Jesus, pierced by a lance Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation have mercy on us Heart of Jesus, victim of our sins Heart of Jesus, salvation of all who trust in you Heart of Jesus, hope of all who die in you Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints

Father, we rejoice in the gifts of love we have received from the heart of Jesus, your Son.  Open our hearts to share his life and continue to bless us with his love.  We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.  Amen.