Pre-Mass reflection on the Capitol riot Jan. 6

The events at our nation’s Capitol on January 6 continue to ring as deeply disturbing, even unbelievable. Yet in spite of the chaos, the violence, even the deaths, Congress reconvened to finish its important work.

 We often look upon institutions as intrusive, as burdens or annoyances, but here, the institution succeeded in its mission of bringing order to our Democracy, and in this case, to literal chaos. We sometimes look upon the institutional Church in the same way, as an annoying intrusion or burden. Who needs all those directives from Lansing? Why pay attention to Rome? But we are a Church, not isolated individuals, or stand-alone worshiping communities. Thank God for the leadership, the wisdom, the challenges and calls to service that take us beyond ourselves. 

Our Savior and Redeemer is and always will be Jesus Christ. Donald Trump is our president. Joe Biden is our president-elect. Jesus is our savior. We sometimes seem to forget that. History, even modern history, has shown that trying to turn a political leader or a media personality into a savior is disastrous. 

It’s very important to be involved in the world around us and certainly to be involved in politics. We’re definitely off-track when those interests and affiliations become more important than our faith. Please continue to pray for healing, for a return to respect and even unity. Pray, but work for it too!

Thank God for our dear nation! Thank God for the gift of our holy Church!

Blessings,

Father Tom Helfrich

Priest: We lift up our prayers in humble confidence to our loving God who never tires of calling us to come and follow….

1. That we be blessed with religious vocations and that all who dedicate their lives to the work of the Church serve joyfully and generously, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps, let us pray to the Lord….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

2. For success in our battle against the coronavirus, for efficient distribution of vaccines and for the stamina and safety of doctors and all medical care personnel, let us pray to the Lord….

3. As we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, we pray that we be delivered from the wounds of racism and recognize people of all races and nationalities as children of God, our very brothers and sisters. Let us pray to the Lord….

4. Friday is the 48^th anniversary of the Roe vs, Wade decision. We pray for the legal protection of the unborn, for all children in the womb and all whose right to life is questioned, let us pray to the Lord….

5. That all who serve in the military and law enforcement do so in safety and integrity, let us pray to the Lord….

6. In this time of transition, we pray that our leaders heed the needs of their people and respond to them with honesty and humility, let us pray to the Lord….

7. For all who have gone before us and those who grieve them, in particular… 

 4:30 PM – Linda Guajardo

9:00 AM – Walter Slaby

11:00 AM – Michael and Adrian Marsh

…for whom we offer this Mass. Let us pray to the Lord….

Priest: Heavenly Father, author of Sacred Scripture, help us receive what you have revealed in your Holy Word. Give us a greater hunger to daily seek you in the scriptures that we may better know you and your Son. May your Holy Spirit open us to be transformed by Your Holy Word throughout this year of the Bible. In Christ’s name, we pray….

Friday January 22, 10:30 a.m.

For more information click the link below.

Jackson Right to Life

The motorcade will form in the parking lot of the New Covenant Church on the corner of West Washington and 24th Streets beginning at 10:00 a.m. The procession, led by a police escort and a hearse, will begin at 10:30 a.m. down Michigan Avenue to Martin Luther King Dr. (formerly Francis Street), and end at St. John’s Cemetery where an Interdenominational prayer service will be held.

Priest: Treasuring the immeasurable gift of our own baptism, we lift up our prayers in humble confidence…. 

1. That we may take to heart and seek to imitate the deep humility of John the Baptist, recognizing with more and more ease the presence and action of the Lord in our midst, let us pray to the Lord….                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

2. For all those struggling economically these days, let us pray to the Lord….

3. That our battle against the coronavirus be successful, let us pray to the Lord….

4. For our parishioners, Paul McKown and Jake Thomas, studying for the priesthood, for Todd Dahlberg preparing to serve as a deacon, for all in formation for religious life and for courageous, loving hearts in all who are being called to serve as priests, brothers, sisters and deacons, let us pray to the Lord….

5. That all those in the RCIA here at St. Rita and far beyond prepare well for baptism and/ or entry into the Church, and for our young people in faith formation, let us pray to the Lord….

6. For our nation and our leaders in this time of transition, let us pray to the Lord….

7. For all who have gone before us and those who grieve them, in particular… 

4:30 PM – Joyce Patrick

9:00 AM – James and Marguerite Cannon

11:00 AM – Elizabeth Ronzi

…for whom we offer this Mass. Let us pray to the Lord….

Priest: Heavenly Father, author of Sacred Scripture, help us receive what you have revealed in your Holy Word. Give us a greater hunger to daily seek you in the scriptures that we may better know you and your Son. May your Holy Spirit open us to be transformed by Your Holy Word throughout this year of the Bible. In Christ’s name, we pray….