Bahama Catholic - January 2017

JANUARY 2017 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF NASSAU www.archdioceseofnassau.org Annual Archbishop Pinder:Red Mass The exercise of your office can bring light and relief Archbishop Pinder reminded members of the judiciary attending the annual Red Mass on Sunday, January 8, 2017 at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral that they can be ministers of God’s justice. His Grace pro- posed that in performing their roles in that way, they too are privileged to bring light to society. “It is a grace that the Red Mass this year unites the two observances - Epiphany and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit upon the legal profession and judiciary. Your profes- sion is privileged to play a role in a special kind of epiphany,” Archbishop Pinder said. And, “by God's grace, you can shed light on guilt and innocence, thus lessening the impact of the darkness that is always present in our imperfect world.’’ The following is Archbishop’s homily as delivered at the annual Red Mass. Readings:Members of the judiciary joined Archbishop Pinder for the customary photograph on the steps of the Isaiah 60:1-6Cathedral following the annual Red Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral on January 8, 2017. Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Pope Francis calls for us to Beloved in Christ: “practice non-violence and work to build peace” It is once again my pleasure to welcome you to in World Peace message this cathedral to celebrate the Annual Red Mass. This observance invokes the guidance Theme: “Non-Violence: a Style of Politics for Peace” of the Holy Spirit and blessing upon members of the judiciary and the legal profession.In his Message for the 50th World Day of Peace, celebrated on January 1, 2017, Pope Francis urged fam- ilies, faith communities, government leaders, and the international community to practice non-vio- Today is the Feast of the Epiphany of the lence and work to build peace. Lord. Epiphany comes from the Greek mean- ing 'manifestation'. It is a time when the“May charity and non violence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society Church commemorates the coming of theand in international life... In the most local and ordinary situations and in the international Magi to the manger in Bethlehem as the firstorder, may nonviolence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our manifestation of Christ to all nations. Theiractions, and indeed of political life in all its forms.” traditional representation as men of different races, reminds us that the birth of Christ, his• Continued on page 5 ministry and ultimate sacrifice were God's gift for the redemption of all humankind, of all races, all cultures and for all time. • Continued on page 2

2 Members of the judiciary receive blessing from Archbishop Pinder during the annual Red Mass at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. - photos courtesy of Carlton Robinson“...as we begin this new Dame Anita Allen, the President of the Court of Appeal of the Bahamas led the procession of the year, life in this beloved judiciary at the annual Red Mass in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. land is far from peaceful and pleasant for many. We are clearly in need of light and redemption... ”-Archbishop Pinder • Continued from page 2 Though darkness covers the earth, concludes by noting that, the Magi, having encoun- and thick clouds cover the peoples, tered the Divine, revealed in an infant, returned To humankind, therefore, Epiphany is a spiritual Upon you the Lord shines home by another way. With the revelation of radiance, which the Lord has put in the darkened and over you appears his glory. Christ held ever close to our hearts, we can weather skies of our journey on this often troubled earth. Nations shall walk by your light the storms, knowing that this life is just a prelude Epiphany brings light to assure us that, through kings by your shining radiance. (Isaiah 60:1-3) to eternal peace and joy. and in Christ, we have hope. No matter the dark- ness of the times, we who believe have access to Repetition has a way of numbing the ear. When we It is a grace that the Red Mass this year unites the that divine light. With the light of Christ comes hear something again and again, even if it is the two observances - Epiphany and the Invocation of redemption, relief and peace. Isaiah's prophesy truth, there is a tendency to ignore it. This should the Holy Spirit upon the legal profession and judi- tells us so: never be the case with the message of the ciary. Your profession is privileged to play a role in Epiphany. This blessed assurance of the divine a special kind of epiphany. In the administration Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem nature of Christ and its power to change lives of justice, you, in your unique way, are ministers of Your light has come should be held both at the very surface and yet God, who is justice. the glory of the Lord shines upon you. rooted at the very core of our consciousness. This change is what the Gospel seeks to describe when it • Continued on page 3

3Archbishop Pinder: The exercise of your office can bring light and relief• Continued from page 2By God's grace, you can shed light on guilt andinnocence, thus lessening the impact of the darknessthat is always present in our imperfect world. Youincrease the opportunities for positive developmentwhen you envision your role and that of law, as notjust punitive, but illuminative. The exercise of youroffice can bring light and relief from suffering. Inthis illuminative sense, law and justice can createorder that enables us to live lives that are peacefuland pleasant.Today, as we begin this new year, life in this belovedland is far from peaceful and pleasant for many. Weare clearly in need of light and redemption.That truth is inescapable. Many sectors of ourhomeland, particularly the economic and social, areexperiencing obvious decline.Hundreds know firsthand the pains of joblessness Archbishop Pinder greets Members of the judiciary followingand reduced income. And the destruction wrought the annual Red Mass on January 8, 2017.by two major hurricanes in successive years stillaffects many throughout our islands.Can any Bahamian of goodwill not be concerned - photos courtesy of Carlton Robinsonabout the factors which erode our social capital -whether it be violent crime or the spurning of equalrights for women? We must note, also, that we arewitnessing a waning of public trust in establishedauthorities. These are but some of the circum-stances in which your light must shine. These arecircumstances in which we all must struggle tomaintain a strong and sustainable democracy.We must ask ourselves: Are we showing forth the Archbishop Pinder greets Chief Justice,light of Christ, as we are called to do? Or, have we Hartman Longley (top photo) and Justicebecome detached, to the point of indifference from Jon Isaacs, Court of Appeal Justice (bottonour responsibility for our brothers and sisters? Have photo).we become mired in a \"spiritual worldliness\", whereour focus is on human glory and outruns our dedica-tion to bringing light to the world for the glory ofGod?Epiphany speaks of the Divine Glory being revealed. For Thomas Aquinas, the birth of the Word madeIt is revealed to us in the most unlikely presence of a flesh has three aspects:newborn child. This glory is not meant just for oureyes alone but for our entire self-understanding.We must understand that we are called to a new way - His eternal generation from the Fatherof being - of living - of acting. - His historical birth by the Virgin Mary - His spiritual birth in every believer.What good does it do me that Christ was born of What happened once in Royal David's city must inMary in Bethlehem, if he is not born by faith in my some way happen here and now. What is revealedheart as well? This is the age-old question posed by here speaks to the deepest longing of every question-the greatest teachers of our faith - like Origen, St. ing spirit.Augustine of Hippo and St. Bernard of Clairvaux.Where is Christ born in the most perfect sense if not • Continued from page 8in your heart and soul? (St. Ambrose of Milan)

4 ARCHDIOCESAN Calendar of Events AROUND THE ARCHDIOCESE February 2 Aquinas gears up for anniversary celebration World Day for Consecrated LifeAquinas College is gearing up to celebrate its 60th anniversary and according to February 5 principal, Shona Knowles, “Once and Ace – you are always an Ace”, Mrs. Legion of Mary Curia Meeting Knowles extended an invitation to all alumni of the institution to reconnect St. Joseph’s Catholic Church,with the school for this milestone celebration. 3:00p.m.Our anniversary theme, ‘Ever the Flame of Faith’, is indicative of the burning flame of February 10-12faith, which all Aquinas College alumni carry in their hearts and continues to bind Marriage Renewal Weekendthem to Aquinas College, the principal said. February 10A number of events are planned to bookmark the anniversary in the life of this historic Get on the Busand influential institution, including a Mass of Thanksgiving on January 27, 2017 at Sacred HeartLoyola Hall. (Other events will be announced in next month’s issue.) 7:30 p.mAquinas College boasts a rich history and for years has made significant contributions March 6 - 10 City-Wide Mission, Loyola Hallto the community. At the invitation of Bishop Paul Leonard Hagarty, OSB, five 7 p.m. nightlyDominican Sisters arrived in Nassau in December 1956 to begin preparations for a The official 60th anniversary logo March 26 Legion of Mary Aciesteacher training school. Aquinas College opened January 1957 in the old Hibiscus designed by 12th grade student, Zahna St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 3:00p.m.Inn on Montrose Avenue. In 1958, in addition to teacher training, the Sisters began Fisher. The logo features the colours March 13 -16giving evening classes in English, Mathematics and Business. Students took B.J.C. and key elements of the school’s visual City-Wide Mission (Freeport) Mary, Star of The Sea Churchand R.S.A. examinations, and those who were successful were among the first black identity, including the torch and the 7 p.m. nightlyBahamians to assume positions of employment on Bay Street. spade. The torch has been a part of April 5 Chrism Mass the school’s history since 1957. The St. Francis Xavier Cathedral final line in the first verse of the“All alumni, former staff and teachers from all eras are invited to join us as we cele- school's alma mater reads:brate this historic milestone,” said Mrs. Knowles. Alumni can sign up to receive \" Proving wordsupdates about Aquinas College’s 60th Anniversary events at with Christian actions bearing onhttp://cboe.cec.edu.bs/alumni/reconnect/. Alumni are also invited to share any old the Torch of Truth.\"pictures they may have as well as their experiences at Aquinas College by [email protected] FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NEW YEAR Remember our role in stewardship and give to God a portion of our gifts by Dario Lundy-MortimerThe beginning of a new calendar year is an 3. Plan on Saving - Once you have created a budg- 7. Read a Personal Finance Book - Knowledge excellent opportunity for renewal. It’s a time et, be sure that one of the items in your budget is Is Power. The more you know about your personal for taking stock and setting goals. As you focus savings. Every little bit counts! Even if you have a finances, the more you can save. There are a varietyon a variety of different goals don’t forget your finan- very tight budget try to save a small amount each of personal finance books, which can help to improvecial goals. Let increasing your savings be one of month. your financial knowledge.these goals for the year. A little goes a long way andsmall changes can help you move toward achieving 4. Determine Your Priorities – We can't get 8. Give Back - We need to remember our role inmany of these goals. As you look forward to the New everything we want and we will need to make choic- stewardship and give to God a portion of our gifts.Year, here are some tips you should consider in es. Have a clear view of your priorities, so that when The Annual Diocesan Appeal is a great way to shareimproving your personal finances and savings. you need to make difficult decisions because of limi- some of these gifts. Remember to include the Annual tations, you can make the correct choices. Appeal and other charitable activities in your budget.1. Create a Budget - A budget is a very effective 5. Choose Something to Save for – Sometimestool in charting a course to achieving your financial saving can be a difficult task if we are not disciplined. 9. Don’t Be Discouraged – Saving is not easy andgoals. A budget does not need to be elaborate but A way to overcome this may be to have something managing finances in a difficult economic period candoes need to include some of your core expenses. tangible to save; for example, a vacation, emergency, be very challenging. Be persistent and understand house, car or education. that you can make it.2. Record Your Expenses – Have you ever gone 6. Use Credit Cards Wisely - Credit cards are Saving and investing is empowering. The more youto the Bank and withdrawn some cash and two days great tools, if used in the proper way. If you lack dis- save, the more you want to save. It is also the key tolater wonder what happened to it? Tracking your cipline then don’t use them. Interest rates on credit unlocking the door on many of the goals you mayexpenses is important to understanding your behav- cards can be disastrous if you carry balances for a have. With a plan and some discipline it's very pos-ior towards money and spending. The next time you period of time. Watch this closely, pay off your cred- sible for you to achieve your goals. Start small andwithdraw money, take some time to note where you it cards in full each month and only use in emergen- increase incrementally. Be consistent!have spent your cash. cies.

5Pope Francis calls for us to “Violence is not the cure “practice non-violence for our broken world” and work to build peace” -Pope FrancisPope Francis asserted that, in spite of the temptation to respond to violencewith violence, such a response will not prove a lasting remedy for healing ourbroken world.“Countering violence with violence leads at best to forced migra- and sisters, learn to communicate and to show generous concern fortions and enormous suffering, because vast amounts of resources one another, and in which frictions and even conflicts have to beare diverted to military ends and away from the everyday needs of resolved not by force but by dialogue, respect, concern for the goodyoung people, families experiencing hardship, the elderly, the of the other, mercy and forgiveness. From within families, the joy ofinfirm and the great majority of people in our world. At worst, it can love spills out into the world and radiates to the whole of society.lead to the death, physical and spiritual, of many people, if not of An ethics of fraternity and peaceful coexistence between individualsall.” and among peoples cannot be based on the logic of fear, violence and closed-mindedness, but on responsibility, respect and sincereChristians look to Jesus as our model and teacher. The life, witness and teach- dialogue. Hence, I plead for disarmament and for the prohibitioning of Christ serve as the prototype for humanity. Affirming this principle, and abolition of nuclear weapons: nuclear deterrence and the threatPope Francis says: of mutual assured destruction are incapable of grounding such an ethics. I plead with equal urgency for an end to domestic violence“Jesus himself lived in violent times. Yet he taught that the true bat- and to the abuse of women and children.tlefield, where violence and peace meet, is the human heart: for “itis from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come” “The Jubilee of Mercy that ended in November encouraged each one(Mk 7:21). But Christ’s message in this regard offers a radically posi- of us to look deeply within and to allow God’s mercy to enter there.tive approach. He unfailingly preached God’s unconditional love, The Jubilee taught us to realize how many and diverse are the indi-which welcomes and forgives. He taught his disciples to viduals and social groups treated with indifference and subjected tolove their enemies (cf. Mt 5:44) and to turn the other cheek (cf. Mt injustice and violence. They too are part of our “family”; they too5:39).” are our brothers and sisters. The politics of nonviolence have to begin in the home and then spread to the entire human family.”“Whoever accepts the Good News of Jesus is able to acknowledgethe violence within and be healed by God’s mercy, becoming in turn The Pope reaffirmed the commitment of the Catholic Church to building aan instrument of reconciliation. In the words of Saint Francis of world of peace.Assisi: “As you announce peace with your mouth, make sure thatyou have greater peace in your hearts”. “I pledge the assistance of the Church in every effort to build peace through active and creative nonviolence.Pope Francis also addressed the concerns of those who argue that failure tofight violence with violence is tantamount to inactivity, which perpetuates vio- “Peace building through active nonviolence is the natural and neces-lence rather than serving as a preventative measure. sary complement to the Church’s continuing efforts to limit the use of force by the application of moral norms; she does so by her par-“Nonviolence is sometimes taken to mean surrender, lack of ticipation in the work of international institutions and through theinvolvement and passivity, but this is not the case. competent contribution made by so many Christians to the drafting of legislation at all levels.”“When Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, sheclearly stated her own message of active nonviolence: “We in our Pope Francis’ message concluded with words of hope for the New Year:family don’t need bombs and guns, to destroy to bring peace – justget together, love one another… And we will be able to overcome all “In 2017, may we dedicate ourselves prayerfully and actively to ban-the evil that is in the world.” ishing violence from our hearts, words and deeds, and to becomingThe achievements of Mahatma Gandhi and Khan Abdul Ghaffar nonviolent people and to building nonviolent communities that careKhan in the liberation of India, and of Dr Martin Luther King Jr in for our common home. “Nothing is impossible if we turn to God incombating racial discrimination will never be forgotten. Women in prayer. Everyone can be an artisan of peace”.particular are often leaders of nonviolence, as for example, wasLeymah Gbowee and the thousands of Liberian women, who organ- **********ized pray-ins and nonviolent protest that resulted in high-levelpeace talks to end the second civil war in Liberia.” Quick Fact: Pope Paul VI instituted World Day of Peace in 1968. The day is celebrated each year on the first day of January.Pope Francis noted that to achieve the success of active non-violence, it beginsin the family and the cultivation of personal habits:“If violence has its source in the human heart, then it is fundamen-tal that nonviolence be practiced before all else within families. Thisis part of that joy of love, which I described last March in myExhortation Amoris Laetitia, in the wake of two years of reflectionby the Church on marriage and the family. The family is the indis-pensable crucible in which spouses, parents and children, brothers

6 RESOLUTION 2017: bring the unity of the Eucharist from our churches into our homes and workplaces BY DEACON WILLIAM FIELDING focused on the church, and our domestic churches, focused on the family in our homes. What we hear in church we should practice both inside and outside of Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today ... Speak of them at church, firstly at home and then everywhere else. home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest - Living in unity in the Lord. On Saturday, the reading for Night Prayer is from the Book of Deuteronomy: Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone! Therefore, you shall love We have just celebrated another Christmas holiday, both inside and outside of the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all church. Between these two places of celebration, there is a common link, your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill namely family. them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest, Deuteronomy 6:4-7. In church we heard of the birth of the baby Jesus, surrounded by the love and affection of Joseph and Mary (Luke 2: 1-14). Jesus may not have been born in This makes it very clear that we must bring the Word of God from the church comfortable surroundings, but the material deficiencies were clearly compen- into our homes and workplaces. We must not only speak it but live it. sated by love. Then we have the sad and violent feast of the Holy Innocents, of Deuteronomy invites us to unify our homes, our domestic churches and work- the slaughter of young children, as Herod tried to kill a possible rival king places with the parish church. What we do in church Deuteronomy expects us (Matthew 2: 13-18). Herod’s anxiety to cling to power at all cost resulted in the to do outside of church; we must take God’s love with us everywhere. This disunity of families through their destruction and untold sorrow. After that, we means that our homes must be unified through God’s love for us. We obtain had the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, and indeed mother to us all. This feast that unity through taking “to heart” the words of Deuteronomy, and through gives us an opportunity to celebrate what happens when we act in unity with our participation in the Eucharist. As Pope John Paul II reminded us, the God’s will not ours. It is a celebration of great love, but also knowing that Eucharist is the sacrament of unity as it unites us with Christ and with all who serving also involves sacrifice. Finally, we had the Feast of the Holy Family. have participated in the Eucharist. If we bring the unity we experience at Mass This Feast gives us some valuable insights from both the Old Testament (Sirach into our homes and workplaces, the discord which can mar our relationships 3:2-6, 12-14) and Saint Paul (Colossians 3:12-17) as to how the family should be will be replaced by God’s presence and our homes will truly become domestic centered on love of each other, and serving each other, on unity between all churches. family members. In between these celebrations we had readings from the First Letter of John, which reminded us that “if we walk in the light as He is in the For our domestic churches to flourish we need to pray together, as we do in light, then we have fellowship with one another.” church. We could start by saying grace together whenever we eat if we do not already do so. This single prayer will start to infuse God’s presence into our Outside of church during the Christmas season, most of us will have anticipat- daily lives as we gather with family, and indeed with friends in the workplace. ed family and friends travelling to meet, and subsequently enjoyed the unity of The Eucharist breaks down barriers as we center into communion with each each other’s company and love. We may have gone to the beach, the movies or other, and we must allow it to break down any barriers which can easily sepa- Junkanoo in a unity of purpose. Love between family members will have been rate us as individuals; the unity we experience through and by the Eucharist expressed in many ways, making long journeys on crowded planes, giving pres- will allow the peace and joy which occurs in God’s presence to be exhibited in ents, cooking meals and tiding up afterwards. As a result of our human frailty, our homes and workplaces. Then we shall indeed be able to “Speak of them sometimes, our family unity is strained which can result in disagreements, [God’s word] at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest” and “we arguments and even quarrels, which can fracture the unity which we would like [will] walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one to pervade not only our Christmas gatherings but every interaction. another”. This thumbnail sketch is, of course, contrived. It assumes that we inhabited Therefore, as we start 2017, maybe we could make a resolution: to bring the two distinct places over the Christmas holiday season, church and home. This unity of the Eucharist from our churches into our homes and workplaces. should not be so and is not so. We are the same persons in each space. We should move in unity between our church family, based on the community DID YOU KNOW? The liturgical year is made up of six seasons: Advent - four weeks of preparation before the celebration of Jesus' birth Christmas - recalling the Nativity of Jesus Christ and his manifestation to the peoples of the world Lent - a six-week period of penance before Easter Sacred Paschal Triduum - the holiest \"Three Days\" of the Church's year, where the Christian people recall the suffering, death, and resurrec- tion of Jesus Easter - 50 days of joyful celebration of the Lord's resurrection from the dead and his sending forth of the Holy Spirit Ordinary Time - divided into two sections (one span of 4-8 weeks after Christmas Time and another lasting about six months after Easter Time), wherein the faithful consider the fullness of Jesus' teachings and works among his people

7Musician donates to Archdiocesen Hurricane Relief Fund Bahamian musician, Brian Cooper, left The Bahamas in 2013 to pursue a master’s degree in piano performance, but did not forget his roots. He recently presented a cheque towards the Archdiocesan Hurricane Relief Fund to Archbishop Patrick Pinder. The funds were part proceeds from Brian’s first album release entitled, \"The Wibe Of life\". Brian who resides in St. Paul, Minnesota, felt it was his “duty” to assist his countrymen who are in need of help. “No matter where I go in the world, I never forget where I came from.” A former music teacher at Aquinas College, Cooper says he plans to return home to share all the knowledge he is gaining and to inspire other local musicians. Pictured is Archbishop Pinder accepting the cheque.Eucharist Ministers honoredLay Eucharist Ministers from Holy Family were recently SYLVIA GODET ROSIE WILSON ERIC BUTLER honored as part of the parish’s 50th anniversary celebra- tions.The Eucharist Ministers: Sylvia Sealy Godet, Cecile Christie,Sesely Darville, Emeline Murray, Eric Butler Peter Bowe andYvette Bastian were recognied for their many years of dedicatedservice. Fr. Thomas Brislin, former pastor of Holy Family cameback to The Bahamas to share in the 50th anniversary celebra-tions. He presented the plaques to the honourees during aluncheon in the parish hall.Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are called by Godto become servants to other members of the Body of Christ. Thefunction of an Extraordinary Minister is to assist the priest indistributing the true presence of Christ to other members whoare unable to attend mass and considered sick and shut-ins.PAT BELL PETER BOWE CECILE CHRISTIE EMELINE MURRAY

8Archbishop Pinder: The exercise of your office can bring light and relief• Continued from page 3 Indeed the Gospel is not just informative, it is performative.Are we reflecting that light of Christ which attracted and charged the Magi and In the words of our Lord himself:so many others since them? Or are we indifferent and detached? Our indiffer-ence could affect much more than we realize because so many things in life are \"You are the light of the world ... your light must shine before others, that theyconnected. Pope Francis makes this point in his encyclical on the Environment: may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.\" (Matthew 5:14, 16)If everything is related, then the health of a society's institutions has In this year The Bahamas will go to the polls to select those who will govern forconsequences for the environment and the quality of human life. the next five years. Let us pray that the entire process is guided by the just and\"Every violation of solidarity and civic friendship harms the environ- gracious hand of God.ment\". In this sense, social ecology is necessarily institutional, andgradually extends to the whole of society, from the primary social I ask the Lord to strengthen our resolve to be faithful emissaries of truth, justice,group, the family, to the wider local, national and international com- tolerance, human rights and the rule of law and due process, wherever we workmunities. within each social stratum, and between them, institutions and exercise authority.develop to regulate human relationships. anything which weakensthose institutions has negative consequences, such as injustice, vio- I pray for an increase in love of neighbour and country, and in commitment tolence and loss of freedom. A number of countries have a relatively volunteerism and mutual assistance, and an even greater growth in self-restraintlow level of institutional effectiveness, which results in greater prob- and self respect among Bahamians.lems for their people while benefitting those who profit from this sit-uation. Whether in the administration of the state, the various levels In the Spirit of Epiphany, may we strive to mirror the illumination of Christ toof civil society, or relationships between individuals themselves, lack our world. May we strive to renew the perfect, integral ecology of Eden withof respect for the law is becoming more common. Laws may be well which God endowed his creation from the beginning - the perfect ecology whereframed yet remain a dead letter. (Laudato Si) we all embrace brotherhood and oneness with all creation through and in Christ. In this lies peace, joy and human flourishing.The message of this Feast is a message of Hope. The words of Isaiah are: I found, recently, A Prayer Book for Lawyers prepared by the St. Thomas More- Rise up in splendor ...! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon Society of Dallas. The St. Thomas More Society is a professional organization foryou. lawyers. The introduction to this prayer book says:These words are a direct reversal of the vision reported in the tenth chapter of The St. Thomas More Society of Dallas offers this prayer book to God in the sin-the Prophet Ezekiel. There the Prophet records a vision of the glory of God cere hope it will provide lawyers and other professionals spiritual support inabandoning the temple. This signified that the people had been abandoned and their everyday work and in the uniquely difficult aspects of professional life.left vulnerable and desperate, and desolate times were about to begin. Isaiah,though, announces that the Glory of God is again in their midst. There are many prayers in it. I share one of them with you.This is a hopeful sign. Hope is a distinguishing mark of the faithful. Hope A Prayer for Daily Help and Inspiration -assures us of a positive future. As we move forward, we must remember that. O God:We can reflect on all the challenges before us as we observe this Feast of Give me strength to live another day.Epiphany. We can see it as our call to solidarity. The Christian life and a mature Let me not turn coward before its difficulties and duties;democracy are not about individualism. Salvation, hope and human rights were Let me not lose faith in other people.never intended to be one-man bands. One of the Lord's last earthly commands Keep me pleasant and sound of heart,to his disciples was to \"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every in spite of ingratitude, treachery or meanness;creature.\" (Mark 16:15) Preserve me from minding letters stings or giving them;Christianity is centered on the Gospel, the \"good news\", but it is much more than Help me to keep my heart clean,a mere news service. As Pope Benedict put it, \"the Christian message is not only and to live so honestly and'informative' but 'performative'.\" We must not only tell it; we must show it. Weare called to live the gospel. fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity:There lies the power to change lives, to heal, to create and recreate. The Gospelis not static. It is supposed to make things happen. We are first called to trans- Open wide the eyes of my soulform our own life, then to contribute to the transformation of others. that I may see good in all things; Grant me this day some new vision of the truth;In this time of grace, God's relation to the world is illuminative and not punitive. Insure me with the spirit of joy and gladnessConsequently, our focus should be on daily extending Epiphany. We each can and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;play a meaningful role in reducing the widespread anger, want and despair in In the name of the Strong Deliverer,our homeland. Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen ---www.stmsdallas.org