Year of Mercy
The Family that Prays together Stays Together!
Tips for Praying
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Prayer isn’t just another good thing to do; it’s absolutely necessary if we want to know God’s will in our lives and draw closer to him. The trouble is finding the time and willpower to pray. In this video, Fr. Mike Schmitz suggests being a bit more intentional in our prayer lives, asking these four simple questions: When should I pray, where should I pray, what should I pray, and why should I pray?
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With the concise advice he is known to give, Fr. Mike Schmitz shines light on the blind spots in our spiritual life and points out that sometimes we are unaware of spiritual battles waging within our souls. He encourages us to be attentive and patient with ourselves and with others, while asking God to reveal to us the hidden areas of our life where we can grow in holiness.
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When Pope Francis announced there would be a Holy Year of Mercy starting on December 8, 2015 and ending on November 20, 2016, he stated, ”Dear brothers and sisters, I have often thought about how the Church might make clear its mission of being a witness to mercy. It is a journey that begins with spiritual conversion. For this reason, I have proclaimed an extraordinary jubilee, a special time for the Church, a time when the witness of believers might grow stronger and more effective. It shall be a Holy Year of Mercy. We want to live this Year in the light of the Lord’s words: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
As we make this journey together as Church, OLV-OLS Faith Formation will be providing monthly formation for spiritual growth and conversion. We are making these opportunities available on our website (www.olv-troy.org) for our various ministries and groups to incorporate into the Opening Prayer of their meetings, as well as being a source of reflection for individuals and FAMILIES.
These experiences will allow us the opportunity to, as Pope Francis said in his homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, “be touched by the Lord Jesus and be transformed by his mercy, so that we may become witnesses to mercy”.
Let us pray that we personally experience God’s unconditional love, deepen our relationship with Jesus, and each become more Christ-like in our thoughts and habits. This will enable us to share and witness more effectively with others in our many and varied ministries.
As we make this journey together as Church, OLV-OLS Faith Formation will be providing monthly formation for spiritual growth and conversion. We are making these opportunities available on our website (www.olv-troy.org) for our various ministries and groups to incorporate into the Opening Prayer of their meetings, as well as being a source of reflection for individuals and FAMILIES.
These experiences will allow us the opportunity to, as Pope Francis said in his homily on Divine Mercy Sunday, “be touched by the Lord Jesus and be transformed by his mercy, so that we may become witnesses to mercy”.
Let us pray that we personally experience God’s unconditional love, deepen our relationship with Jesus, and each become more Christ-like in our thoughts and habits. This will enable us to share and witness more effectively with others in our many and varied ministries.
To learn more about the Year of Mercy and to access various Videos, Family Reflections, Formation and MORE - Click the buttons below!
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Click on the LOGO above for the official
Year of Mercy Website |
How can you observe this Year of Mercy? Pope Francis recommends:
- Taking a pilgrimage, a journey to a place where God has shown special grace--there are opportunities near and far!
- Visit the church alone: walk, visit, observe & pray!
- Visit a shrine: Divine Mercy or American Martyrs
- Visit our cathedrals.
- Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in Albany
- Or make a virtual tour! Learn about a few here.
- Be sure to reflect on the many generations of faithful people who have come to each place seeking God's mercy and love!
- Meditate on the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
- Look at our own cynicism, discouragement, indifference, or apathy and have mercy on ourselves.
- Observe "24 hours for the Lord" on the Friday and Saturday preceding the 4th week of Lent--a time of intense prayer and availability of the sacrament of reconciliation.
PRAY THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY during this Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy!
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The Pope Video is a global initiative developed by the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) to assist in the dissemination of the Holy Father’s monthly intentions related to the challenges the humanity faces.
Every month you may accompany Pope Francis in his prayer requests.
Every month you may accompany Pope Francis in his prayer requests.
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APRIL - Small Farmers - Just Wages
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MARCH - For Children and Families in difficulty
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30 Days of Pausing in the New Year
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Terry Hershey, a popular author and retreat leader, understands that slowing down is difficult when you live in a fast-forward world. However, he also knows from personal experience that there is always a price to pay if we don’t regularly take time simply to pause—to cease activity, to treasure quiet time, and to discern the deep meaning of life’s little moments.
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Do You Have Anything That Needs Exchanging?
Today, stores are busy processing exchanges. It happens every year right after Christmas. But have you ever thought about spiritual exchanges? They are always in season.
PRAYING AS A FAMILY WITH LITTLE ONES!
10 Great Ways to Teach Your Child to Pray
Praying with your child is a vital part of their faith journey. Whether you are a parent, godparent, aunt, uncle or sibling, introducing your child to a life of prayer is arguably the biggest gift you can give them, because you are teaching them how to communicate with their creator.
It’s a big responsibility, but don’t let that put you off.
Here are some commonsense tips to get you started.
It’s a big responsibility, but don’t let that put you off.
Here are some commonsense tips to get you started.
The Bible App for Kids
Prayer Experiences for Youth and Young Adults
d365 Daily Devotional for Youth (Passport, Inc.) - d365 provides inspirational and relevant reflections on scripture for young people. The devotional experience is written especially for students and seeks to provide reflections on themes that impact their faith journey, creating a quiet space in their lives for meditation and prayer. Devotions are available every day of the year, and the common liturgical seasons of Advent and Lent through the special series Following the Star and Journey to the Cross. A third series, Back2School, recognizes the significant transition between summer and fall in the lives of students.
Prayer Experiences for Adults
Watch a video and reflect on the Sunday Readings courtesty of The Five Loaves. The Five Loaves is a ministry that provides methods, online resources and event opportunities for spiritual growth and renewal. We enable people of faith to open themselves to the gift of grace and to make meaning of their experience of God in everyday life.
PRAY ALL WAYS - The Five Loaves video reflection shows us how!
The spiritual life requires time for reflection and prayer, but sometimes we limit our understanding of prayer to what we say or do in a church, or in personal prayer. In fact, our whole being prays when we serve others.
The spiritual life requires time for reflection and prayer, but sometimes we limit our understanding of prayer to what we say or do in a church, or in personal prayer. In fact, our whole being prays when we serve others.
EXAMEN
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The Examen of Consciousness is a spiritual practice developed by St. Ignatius Loyola which can help you grow more sensitive to your own spirit and its source. Here, Jesuits and laypersons discuss their practice of the Examen.
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Sacred Space Daily Prayer (Irish Jesuits) - Sacred Space is inspired by the spirituality of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The website guides people through a session of prayer, in six stages, including preparing your body and mind, and culminating in reflection on a scripture passage chosen specially for the day. The stages are: The Presence of God, Freedom, Consciousness, The Word, Conversation, and Conclusion.
BOOKS OF THE BIBLE - Courtesy of the USCCB
The Bible is all around us. People hear Scripture readings in church. We have Good Samaritan (Luke 10) laws, welcome home the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), and look for the Promised Land (Exodus 3, Hebrews 11). Some biblical passages have become popular maxims, such as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12)," "Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15), and "love thy neighbor" (Matthew 22:39).
Today's Catholic is called to take an intelligent, spiritual approach to the bible.
Listed here are 10 points for fruitful Scripture reading.
The Bible is all around us. People hear Scripture readings in church. We have Good Samaritan (Luke 10) laws, welcome home the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), and look for the Promised Land (Exodus 3, Hebrews 11). Some biblical passages have become popular maxims, such as "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matthew 7:12)," "Thou shalt not steal (Exodus 20:15), and "love thy neighbor" (Matthew 22:39).
Today's Catholic is called to take an intelligent, spiritual approach to the bible.
Listed here are 10 points for fruitful Scripture reading.
Bible App YouVersion
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God is near, and so is His Word. As you wake up. While you wait. When you meet a friend. Before you go to sleep. When the Bible is always with you, it becomes a part of your daily life.
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LENTEN OPPORTUNITIES for more formation!
Lent presents a wonderful time to reflect on themes of mercy, and Lenten Moments of Mercy aims to help. This daily e-mail series delivers fresh reflections based on the Scriptures of Lent, sharing the inspiring words of Pope Francis and suggesting Lenten actions and prayers.
In this Jubilee Year of Mercy, take time each day for Lenten Moments of Mercy and prepare your heart for a new appreciation of the journey to Easter. Sign up to receive the daily messages via e-mail from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. |
Operation Rice Bowl APP!
Click on the image to learn more! |
