Our Lady of Grace

 Catholic Church
 

Our Lady of Grace

Dear Brothers and sisters in the Lord, 

It is good to be home! I return with a grateful heart, thanking God for all His blessing upon me and my family as well. Being given an opportunity to spend time with them, considering the challenges of this pandemic, is something to be so grateful about. 
When I left three weeks ago, I was confident that the parish will be in good hands. I want to thank the priests who were so willing to fill in with the sacramental needs of the parish. The office staff and the parish ministries were very much dependable to keep everything running in the order of grace, and to top it all - the support of every member of the parish family in terms of stewardship. We are indeed making good towards our goal as a faith centered community. 
Finally, I want to thank all of you who responded to our Faith, Hope, and courage recovery appeal program. It was very successful- spiritually and temporally. 
I am particularly gratified with all your responses as shown in the commitment cards returned. Nearly one third of the registered families in the parish responded to my appeal. This is an excellent response rate according to people experienced in campaigns like this. Many indicated that they would pray for the parish while others asked for prayer intentions. And there were checks! Money, exceeding my expectations was donated to make up for the loss in the couple of months when services were suspended. You can find the summary of your generous offerings in the bulletin. 
Most significant however, is the spiritual aspect. This event was truly a "coming together of parishioners" in the spirit of a community called by God to a task in particular area of Beverly Hills Fl. 
Some offered prayers, sought prayer, some others renewed or increased their commitment to regular offertory donations, and many others provided much needed financial support. Altogether, our goal is to help keep the word of God alive among our families, in our parish and in our community. This is the most important point you have made in participating in this appeal. 
I am so grateful for your continuing prayer and generosity. Let us continue to glorify God in every form of stewardship we express to make God's presence into our life felt. Our church, our parish of Our Lady of Grace, remains alive because Christ is also alive in us. 
Let us continue to nurture this spirit of Christ in our minds and hearts, to create a more dynamic, responsive, and caring community. 

Fr. Erwin 

Faith, Hope and Courage Recovery Appeal Results
The  Faith  Hope  and  Courage  recovery  appeal that  began  in  August  has  concluded.  It  
received responses   from   291   families   or   33%   of   our parishioners.   Of   these,   120  
 indicated   that   they would   pray   for   the   parish   and   126   renewed, increased    or   
 committed    to    regular    Offertory donations.  The  total  amount  received  in  one-time 
donations was $30,885.

Faith, Hope and Courage Recovery Appeal Final Results
291    Households responded 33.0%    Households responded
$30,885    Total donations received
120    Families are praying for the Parish
126    Renewed, increased or committed
           regular Offertory donations
 

My Jesus,  
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.
Amen.

Mi amado Jesús,
creo que Tú estás presente
en el Santísimo Sacramento.
 
Te amo sobre todas las cosas,
y deseo recibirte en mi alma.
 
Ya que no puedo, en este momento,
recibirte sacramentalmente,
ven, al menos, espiritualmente a mi corazón.
 
Te abrazo como si Tú estuvieras ya ahí
y me uno a mi mismo completamente a Ti.
 
Nunca me permitas
estar separado de Ti.
Amén.

Almighty, ever-living God, by our baptism, we have been called to live as missionary disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ.

Grant that we, your people of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, will fulfill our purpose by proclaiming the Good News and inviting all people to encounter the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Deepen our trust in you, O Lord, and help us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Courageously Living the Gospel in our homes, neighborhoods, parish communities, and wherever you may lead us.

Together, with the intercession of our Blessed Mother and all the saints who have gone before us, we humbly ask for the courage to live as your disciples standing firm in our Catholic faith, through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Dios todopoderoso y eterno, que por nuestro bautismo nos has llamado a vivir como discípulos misioneros de tu Hijo Jesucristo.

Concédenos a nosotros, tu pueblo de la Diócesis de St. Petersburg, cumplir nuestro propósito de proclamar la buena nueva e invitar a todas las personas a encontrar el amor y la misericordia de Jesucristo.

Aumenta nuestra confianza en ti, y ayúdanos a permanecer firmes en nuestro compromiso de vivir valientemente el Evangelio en nuestros hogares y vecindarios, en nuestras comunidades parroquiales y a dondequiera que tú te dignes llevarnos.

Juntos, y por la intercesión de nuestra Santísima Madre y de todos los santos que nos han precedido en la fe, humildemente te pedimos valor para vivir como discípulos tuyos, firmes en nuestra fe católica.  Por Jesucristo tu Hijo, nuestro Señor.

Amén.

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. 
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. 
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, 
O Prince of the heavenly hosts, 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

San Miguel Arcángel, defiéndenos en la batalla; sé
nuestro amparo contra la perversidad y asechanzas
del demonio. Reprímale Dios, pedimos suplicantes,
y tú, Príncipe de la Milicia Celestial, arroja al infierno
con el divino poder a Satanás y a los demás espíritus
malignos que andan dispersos por el mundo
para la perdición de las almas.
Amen.

PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON 

God, our Father, Creator and Lord of the Universe, you have set the earth on its foundation and all the elements of nature obey your command.  

We humbly beseech you to keep us safe from all dangers and to calm the storms that may threaten us. May we be secure in your loving protection and serve you always with grateful hearts.  

We ask this, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen