May 31, 2020
 
 
Dear Parishioners,
 
Peace and warm greetings to all!
 
Bishop Parkes has announced the resumption of the public celebration of masses within our diocese since the suspension of religious gatherings due to COVID-19 pandemic. This is good news to anyone who wants to go back to normalcy.
 
The truth is we have yet to overcome this “abnormal situation”. However, our faith is stronger today because of some visible developments. We are confident that through God’s grace we will get through this in time - In His time. With the situation that has allowed us with bare minimum of doing things as we observe protocols for greater good of a community, we can expect greater things will happen ahead of our situation as of the present moment.
 
We, as a community of believers of Our Lady of Grace parish, a caring and a sharing community, are grateful and joyful of what we have achieved within days of the lockdown. We have been looking forward for the day that we will be allowed to once again celebrate as a community.  We’ve been doing some preparations to get ready for this day. Pentecost Sunday is even more significant because we will be able to return to a more meaningful gathering in the Church. Our masses are important to us for every Eucharistic celebration is a celebration of life. It is the source and the center of our Christian life. That is why, we have waited with eagerness and excitement. We look forward for a gathering, appreciate every physical presence of our brethren and most of all a full communion with Christ in receiving his body in the mass in solemn and prudent fashion. We are aware that masks are a must and physical distancing strongly encouraged as part of the new normal. With all the limitations being laid down upon by the present situation, we all ready and up for the challenge of the changing times. To cater to some vulnerable and the uncomfortable members of our community, we continue to live-stream particular masses with a sound pastoral understanding in the best capacity of our team.
 
I urge you all to remain faithful to God and continue to trust Jesus. I ask you to exercise patience and live its virtue every day of your life especially in situations that we tested of the facts of life.  To hope that tomorrow will be different and the promise of better days await, because, nothing is impossible for God.
 
Happy Feast Day! Let us celebrate the life we live. Let us be joyful as a Church as we share our Faith with one another. As promised, we received the Holy Spirit. Let us recognize his in dwelling and appreciate the gifts offered to us. To open our minds and hearts is the only to understand these gifts and how to live with the charism these gifts represent. We are all in fact encouraged to make good use of this gifts with dynamism and to share what we received from God’s bounty and generosity.
 
Welcome my dear parishioners! Fill your hearts with Joy and courage from Jesus. For he himself has conquered the world for us. Informed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, we continue to live the gospel with courage as we build the Kingdom and we hope to share God’s glory through all eternity.
 
Through the intercession of Our Lady of Grace, let us remain focus on our tasks as members of God’s family.
 
In Christ,
 
Fr Erwin

 

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