News & Events

A Day of Prayer and Fasting with Eucharistic Adoration at St. Joan of Arc Church.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018; 5:30—7:30 pm

5:30 pm – Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament with recitation of the Rosary
6:30 pm – Chaplet of Divine Mercy
7:00 pm – Liturgy of the Word
7:25pm – Conclusion with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

At the beginning of the month, I invited the people of our parishes, both St. Louise and St. Joan, to join together in Days of Prayer and Fasting as an opportunity to make a generous and loving response to this painful and critical moment in the life of our Church. I am very grateful to all those who participated in some way earlier in the month, and I invite everyone to unite again in prayer and fasting this Wednesday, September 26.

Please join us at some point this Wednesday evening, between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, at St. Joan of Arc Church to pray together before the Blessed Sacrament. I also ask you to fast, as you are able, as we do on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday, and/or to offer up prayers and spiritual sacrifices for the entire Body of Christ. I remind you of a thought I first shared 2 weeks ago: while none of us may share personally in the guilt of the sins which have deeply affected our Church, as members of the Body of Christ we are called to share in the remedy: to bind up the wounds of those violated and of their loved ones, to work to restore faith in the Lord Jesus and the good work His Church is charged to carry out, to encourage a sincere purification of the Priesthood of Jesus Christ.

Please know that, together with our bishop, the priests of the diocese will be joining together in prayer and fasting throughout the year, reviving the ancient custom of observing Ember Days, three-day periods of penance observed four times during the year. Bishop Zubik has also recommended that in our parishes we return to the custom of offering the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel at the conclusion of Mass.

St. Michael the Archangel has always been known to be a powerful intercessor against evil, especially since he is recorded in the Book of Revelation as, “fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (Revelation 12:7-9). Ever since Pope Leo XIII composed it in 1886, the St. Michael Prayer has continued to be a staple of Catholic prayer and is a prayer many exorcists recommend to anyone who needs to combat the presence of evil in their lives.  As we observe the Feast Day of the Archangels on September 29, we will take it as an opportunity to begin offering this prayer at the end of each Mass (both Sundays and weekdays).

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host – by the power of God – cast into Hell, Satan and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

The adult choir will resume singing at the 9:00am Mass, beginning Sunday, September 16. Please consider joining the choir on Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm in the choir room, beginning Tuesday, September 11.  We are a very welcoming group and some extra voices of all ranges would be greatly appreciated!

Please contact Patti if you would like additional info.