Prayers

A few prayer requests on this Fourth Sunday of Advent:



Days ago, Deacon Fred Cordova, a leader in the Filipino -American community died. "Uncle Fred" as he is known to many in the Filipino community in Seattle, was an activist for the Fil-Am community since the '50s. Ordained a deacon for the Archdiocese of Seattle in 2003, Uncle Fred was the founder of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and the Filipino Youth Association, which is well known for their drill team that performs at the annual Seafair Parade. He always joked with me that I know how to speak more Tagalog than he did...which came as a surprise when I first found out that he didn't know a lot of Tagalog besides "Kumusta" and "Salamat" and maybe a few other words. Uncle Fred's legacy will continue to live on in the many lives he touched. Eternal rest, Uncle Fred. Please pray for Auntie Dorothy, and the entire Cordova family.

Secondly, after about a month of being able to consume a host and with the two bishops and a small number of priests bringing him Holy Communion every day, Archbishop Brunett is gaining more strength from his stroke last September, although he still has a long road of recovery ahead of him. Yesterday he made his first public appearance after the stroke, concelebrating with Archbishop Sartain and Fr. Ryan at a wedding held at St. James Cathedral. Please continue to pray for Archbishop Brunett, for healing and strength as he continues his recovery!

And know of my prayers for you and your family as we soon celebrate the Nativity of our Lord, Jesus Christ. May you experience the joy, love, and peace that only He can bring!

Seattle Seminarians

Every year, around this time, many look forward to seeing the annual Seminarian Poster. Myself included. This poster contains a picture of all the current seminarians for the Archdiocese of Seattle, where they are currently studying and their home parish. It hangs in almost all vestibules of parishes in the Archdiocese.

On the Crozier Society's website is the poster for 2014. I didn't notice it at first glance of the poster when we received our copy for the office, but Andrew pointed out the other day that I'm in the poster as well. You can find me pictured just below the two people yawning.

Just in time for their final exams, papers, and travels for the Christmas season, let us continue to hold the seminarians, and all those discerning a call to the priesthood and religious life, in our prayers!

Typhoon Haiyan

With so many organizations and relief efforts happening to assist those in the Philippines devastatingly affected by the effects of Typhoon Haiyan, all are encouraged to donate through Catholic Relief Services. CRS has also provided some prayer resources that are posted on the Archdiocesan Missions' Office website.

Archbishop Sartain invites everyone to a Mass for the typhoon victims in the Philippines and Vietnam, which will be held at St. James Cathedral at 12:10pm next Friday, November 22nd, the Memorial of Saint Cecilia. This Mass will hit close to home for me because music will be provided by a Filipino Choir, Filipinos of the Chancery and Cathedral communities will be involved as liturgical ministers, and the gospel and part of the Eucharistic Prayer will also be prayed in Tagalog!

And as a side note, many great things were mentioned in the most recent issue of Liturgy Line, including upcoming liturgical courses to deepen our understanding of the Sacred Liturgy, a Liturgy of the Hours retreat with a Benedictine, a number of various resources for the 50th Annversary of the Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, and ritual texts for blessing prayers, such as the "Thanksgiving Table Blessing"!

Veterans Day

Veterans Day: a time we remember, thank, and honor those who have served in armed forces. I wish to take this brief opportunity to note the USCCB's publication of prayer resources for troops, which includes a number of prayers of the faithful.

As we approach this national holiday, we give thanks and appreciation to veterans, both living and dead, for the sacrifices they have made to keep our country safe.

Prayer for Veterans Day
   God of peace,
   we pray for those who have served our nation
   and have laid down their lives
   to protect and defend our freedom.

   We pray for those who have fought,
   whose spirits and bodies are scarred by war,
   whose nights are haunted by memories
   too painful for the light of day.

   We pray for those who serve us now,
   especially for those in harm's way.
   Shield them from danger
   and bring them home.

   Turn the hearts and minds
   of our leaders and our enemies
   to the work of justice and a harvest of peace.

   Spare the poor, Lord, spare the poor!

   May the peace you left us,
   the peace you gave us,
   be the peace that sustains,
   the peace that saves us.

   Christ Jesus, hear us!
   Lord Jesus, hear our prayer!

   Amen.

                     - from A Concord Pastor

Blessed JPII (On the feast of St. Luke)

On this, the feast of St. Luke, let us hold in prayer the parishioners of St. Luke Parish in Shoreline and their pastor, Fr. Brad Hagelin, as they celebrate their patronal feast day.

Also taking today to note that Tuesday, October 22nd is the optional memorial for Blessed (soon to be Saint) John Paul II. The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship approved insertion of this beloved Pope into the proper calendar of the dioceses of the United States about a year ago.

Here is a link to more information as well as the proper liturgical texts for observance of the Memorial in the Mass and Liturgy of the Hours.

And this fun and also somewhat encouraging autotuned video of a speech Blessed JPII gave to youth. Because the video's theme of love can also be found in the Gospel of Luke in popular passages such as the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan, found in Luke's gospel, focus on Jesus' compassion and love for the weak, the suffering and the outcast. (I had to tie this post back to St. Luke somehow, right?)

DC Navy Yard shootings

Let us pray.

For all the dead and injured, and for their families and friends.
For the people in desolation because of such violence.
For an end to such brutalities.
For military personnel, service men and women, EMTs, police officers, fire fighters.
For anyone dealing with frustration or anger.
For peace and healing.

     Lord, hear our prayers.

Prayers for Archbishop Brunett

As you may have read or heard through various posts on Facebook, the Archdiocesan official news release, or a number of local news websites and television stations, our retired Archbishop, Alex J. Brunett, suffered a stroke last Thursday afternoon (Sept 12,) was admitted to Overlake Hospital, and underwent surgery, which doctors have said went well. Archbishop Brunett is in critical but stable condition in intensive care before the next phase of his recovery begins. He is not able to receive visitors at this time but welcomes your prayers. As his stroke happened on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary, a Hail Mary seems appropriate.

At a Mass yesterday afternoon at St. James Cathedral, Archbishop Sartain mentioned that Archbishop Brunett is able to respond to voice commands, and he recognized him and was able to make the sign of the cross after Archbishop Sartain offered a blessing upon him. When Archbishop Sartain mentioned that Mass would be celebrated at the Cathedral that afternoon, Archbishop Brunett expressed his gratitude for the thoughts and most especially the prayers.

For those who would like to send cards and notes to Archbishop Brunett, please direct them to 710 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.

In the words of Archbishop Sartain, "may God, whose power and love can do more than we can ask or image, grant the Archbishop healing, peace, and joy."

       O God, only support of our human weakness, 
       show the power of your protection over your servants who are sick, 
       that, sustained by your merciful help, 
       they may be restored to your holy Church in good health. 
       Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
               -Collect, Votive Mass For the Sick

We Remember...

Here's the prayer written by Pope-emeritus Benedict from when he visited Ground Zero in 2008.

In a world torn by violence and hatred, let us continue to pray for peace and love in our hearts and the hearts of others.

Prayer for God's love

Jorel and Spencer

As promised, below is the prayer for my good friends' wedding reception last Saturday, which is based on the Rite of Marriage. These two have gone through a lot in their (I believe) 14 years together as a couple, and their faith has grown stronger because of these trials and smiles, highs and sighs. Spencer says that I am a faith-filled witness and role model in her life, but I can easily say the same about her and Jorel's faith and how they live it out.

May this prayer be (1) a prayer for all married couples, serving as a reminder of the love they have committed to each other and to the Church and (2) a reminder for all Catholics to be a witness of God's love in the world through acts of kindness.

Almighty and ever-living God, we pray for your children, N. and N., now joined by the Sacrament of Matrimony. Grant that they may grow in faith and enrich your Church. May you keep them of one heart, in peace and love for one another.

We ask your blessing upon all of us joyfully gathered here this day [, and upon this food]. May it nourish us and provide us with the strength to grow in faith, hope and love for you. We ask this and all of our prayers, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace

By now I would think that many of you have heard or read about Pope Francis calling for this Saturday to be a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world.

 Click here for a number of liturgical resources and a memo from Archbishop Sartain and Bishop Elizondo to their brother priests, which gives permission to priests in the Archdiocese to celebrate specific Masses for Various Needs and Occasions at this coming Sunday liturgies.

Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us.

Prayer at a Wedding reception

A friend of mine from Seattle University is getting married this Saturday at the Chapel of St. Ignatius. In addition to asking me to altar serve, last night the bride-to-be invited me to offer a prayer at their wedding reception. Some may see this either as a daunting task with no where to begin or as an opportunity to give a mini-toast on the couple. I, on the other hand, am thrilled at this opportunity to pray the prayers from the Catholic Rite of Marriage.

This prayer at the wedding reception is a great opportunity to incorporate these prayers that were prayed at the Rite of Marriage within a Mass, just hours before the reception, during which many of her guests would have likely tuned out because they were so focused on when the presider would say "you may now kiss the bride!"  

Anyhow, a copy of the prayer will be posted sometime this week.

Claretian Martyrs

An inspirational story on the Martyrs of Barbastro, on this, their feast day. Let us continue to pray for them, for their intercession, for all Claretian Missionaries, and in a special way for my uncle, Fr. Art Gramaje, CMF.

Claretian Martyrs of Barbastro, pray for us.

A blessed Memorial Day

Let us take a moment to pause in prayer this Memorial Day, courtesy of A Concord Pastor Comments blog.

Prayer for Oklahoma

"Let us pray for the victims...and the missing, especially the children, struck by the violent tornado that hit Oklahoma City yesterday. Hear us, O Lord."

- Pope Francis, during the Prayers of the Faithful at his morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae

For those who are able to attend, St. James Cathedral will hold a special Mass this Friday (May 24th) at 12 Noon for the tornado victims.

Confirmation Season

During the Easter Season, the bishops will be busy celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation at various parishes...even having two Masses on any given Sunday. And most of their weeknights are filled with a Confirmation Mass as well! They're so busy in fact that Bishop Burns from Juneau will be assisting our bishops by celebrating a handful of the Confirmations for the Archdiocese of Seattle as well.

Last month, I was asked to serve as the Master of Ceremonies and miter/crosier bearer for Seattle University's Confirmation Mass this Sunday at 9:00pm. I'm very excited to be back at my alma mater and to serve at the Chapel of St. Ignatius, which is where my passion for liturgical ministry flourished as a student sacristan there.

Then this morning I received an email from the secretary at St. Paul's, my home parish, to see if I could serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the South Seattle Cluster's Confirmation Mass next month.  

I'm super excited for Confirmation Season to begin...bring on the Confirmations! Happy Easter Season to you all, and I pray that this Easter Season may bring you much joy and deep peace! 

Let us also pray for the many candidates who will be Confirmed in the next few months.

All-powerful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
by water and the Holy Spirit 
you freed your sons and daughters from sin 
and gave them new life. 
Send your Holy Spirit upon them 
to be their Helper and Guide. 
Give them the spirit of wisdom 
and understanding, 
the spirit of right judgment and 
courage, the spirit of knowledge and 
reverence. 
Fill them with the spirit of wonder and awe in your presence. 
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

- Prayer for the Laying on of Hands during the Confirmation Rite

Prayer Request

I ask for your prayers as the Church enters into a time of transition (this request is in addition to prayers for the entire Church, in light of the recent election of Pope Francis, successor to St. Peter the apostle.)

There are two important jobs that will soon be filled (God-willing) which will greatly influence the liturgical ministry in the Archdiocese. The Archdiocesan Liturgy Office Director (who will also be my direct supervisor) and Seattle University's Campus Minister for Liturgy (whose role is also to supervise a number of student sacristans.) I served as a student sacristan during my time studying at Seattle University.

Anyway, once these positions are filled, just as with the election of our Holy Father, the time of transition has only really begun, hence my prayer request. Please continue to keep me and our office, SU's Campus Ministry (which I hold near and dear to my heart) and our Archdiocese in prayer, even after the positions have been filled. Let us especially hold in prayer the various search committees who will be making these decisions, that they may listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in these next few weeks.

These past few months since our previous Liturgy director retired and our associate director resigned and accepted an appointment as director for the worship office in Metuchen, New Jersey, have been like a roller coaster ride, bringing moments of serious desolation...but also moments of joy and hope.  And the ride continues.

This Monday the 18th is when the search committee will hold a first-round of interviews for the Liturgy Director's top candidates. SU has already begun interviewing for their Campus Minister for Liturgy and, after the Easter octave, will begin a second --and hopefully final round of interviews. (A good friend of mine has applied for this position at SU, so I'm praying for him as well, especially as he finishes his MDiv at Berkeley and is in the middle of comprehensive exams)

If not for the grace of God and the sustaining help of your prayers, support and encouragement, I don't know where I'd be, so thank you for your continued prayers!

A Great Joy

This morning, as I poured essence and olive oil into the vessels to be used at next week's Chrism Mass, we heard the announcement of great joy: we have a new Pope. Habemus papam!

When the Cathedral's bells began to ring sometime after 11am, I knew right away that white smoke had come out of the Sistine Chapel. I literally dropped what I was doing, (by calmly putting down the gallon container of Magnano family Napoleon Olive Oil on the table) grabbed my office keys and walked a block to the Cathedral to take a poor quality cell phone video (no, I do not have a smart phone), to snap better quality pictures, and more importantly, to experience this great joy.

Gold and white banners hang from
St. James Cathedral















Standing outside the Cathedral as the bells rang and as John, one of the sacristans at the Cathedral, put some finishing touches to the hung yellow and white banners, was an experience I can't put into words. It seemed like time had come to a complete stop!

Not really in the mood to finish pouring olive oil into glass vessels, I decided to join a few of the Chancery employees outside the Chancery chapel to have a live streaming party, which was yet another moment of great joy, simply gathering with colleagues to watch CNN live, as if we too were at the Vatican. All of us waiting in anticipation for the official announcement, appearance, and blessing of our newly elected Holy Father. Then around 12:30pm, Father Tony Bawyn celebrated Mass for the Election of Pope Francis.

And a Jesuit! As Archbishop Sartain mentioned in his statement regarding Pope Francis, "...his election holds particular excitement for the many Jesuits who serve in the Archdiocese of Seattle..." The news also holds particular excitement for this alum of Seattle University --- a Jesuit-Catholic institution and a friend and colleague to many Jesuits.

And just for fun...the Holy See-gull who may have been a symbol for the answer to one of the first questions asked of the newly elected Holy Father: "By which name do you wish to be called?" Francis (of Assisi) who is almost always portrayed in icons with a white bird.

On that note, in the first words of our Holy Father, Pope Francis:

"Let us always pray for one another. 

Let us pray for the world so that this might be a great brotherhood."

The Liturgy of the Papal Conclave

Today marks a historic moment in the Catholic Church. On this first day of the Papal Conclave, a priest of the Archdiocese and I discussed the beauty of today's liturgy that began the Conclave...a beauty of sacred liturgy that many probably did not even realize.

This beauty could be seen in everything from the Cardinal Electors processing from the Pauline Chapel and into the Sistine Chapel, the chanting of the Litany of Saints, their swearing an oath of secrecy as they put their hand over the Holy Gospels, and the closing and locking of the Sistine Chapel doors by Monsignor Guido Marini!

As is said, a picture is worth a thousand words, so how much more a profound video of this ritual, showing this beauty in the Liturgy of the Papal Conclave.

(And an article that describes further how the Conclave is a Liturgy, "a prayer from beginning to end.")

Ora pro nobis!

Sede Vacante Events

With the news of the date set for the beginning of the Conclave, St. James Cathedral will hold Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament after Monday's 5:30pm Mass. The Vigil will conclude at midnight, which would be 9:00am Tuesday Rome Time and when the Conclave will begin with Mass. More information on this event on the Cathedral website.

Seattle University is also hosting a lecture with Fr. Patrick Howell, SJ on the resignation of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI titled "Surprising resignation of the Pope throws the door open" next Thursday the 14th from 12:30pm - 1:30pm. Dr. Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos, a fellow Filipina, was a former professor of mine at SU and is now a good friend. Anyway, she is coordinating this lecture and currently serves as the director of the Institute for Catholic Thought and Culture at SU.

Whether or not you are able to attend this Mass and Exposition or Lecture, please join in prayer during this momentus and exciting time of the Church! Come, Holy Spirit!

Oración para la Elección del Papa

In case you have not seen them already, the USCCB Secretariat of Divine Worship has added resources in Spanish for the papal transition.

Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools have permission to download and reproduce any of these graphics, prayers, and bulletin inserts for distribution. Nice print copies are also available for order, through the USCCB.

Let us continue to pray for the Cardinal Electors, Pope Emeritus, our future Pope (just throwing this out there for fun), and for the Church and the world!