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Overseas Missions
Monthly Meditation
MARCH 2008
Holy Thursday: The Mass of the Lord’s Supper
March, 2008
Dear Friend of the Missions!
It’s hard to believe that Easter is so early in March, that it is right around the corner. I hope that you will be able to join in the Holy Week celebrations, especially the Easter Triduum.
Pray particularly for those who will be baptized at the Easter Vigil, they bring new life to the Church. As you renew your own baptismal promises, remember how we are always afforded a fresh start in the Easter Mysteries. Because of Easter being early this year, some feasts get shifted around. St. Joseph’s feast day is celebrated this year on March 15. In many places, St. Patrick’s feast will be on March 14.
The Annunciation will be moved from March 25 to March 31. The 13 Tuesdays to prepare for the Feast of St. Anthony begin on March 18.
Hopefully, spring will come in time to brighten the celebration of Easter.
Be assured of the prayers of all our missionaries for you and your loved ones for your Easter intentions. Thank you so much for all you do for the missions.
Blessed and Glorious Easter!
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_March_2008.pdf (PDF) |
FEBRUARY 2008
The Way of the Cross
February 2008
Dear Friend of the Missions,
Happy Leap Year! February is the shortest month of the year, but there are still a lot of things happening. February 2 is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. It is the day that the Church blesses candles and honors Jesus as the Light whom the darkness can not overcome. February 3 is the Feast of St. Blaise. On this day the Church blesses throats.
Lent is very early this year: Ash Wednesday is February 6. It is a day of strict fast and abstinence. Perhaps as you make some sacrifice, you can use the money you save ro help feed people who have no food. February 22 is the Feast of the Chair of Peter, a good day to pray for Pope Benedict XVI. On February 10, the Church celebrates the Rite of Election usually at the Cathedral with the bishop. On this day, those who are catechumens (not baptized) are called as candidates for baptism at the Easter Vigil. (Please keep them in your prayers.) Each February, the Church has a day set aside to remember those in religious life (Feb 3), those who are sick (Feb 11) and those who are married (Feb 10).
Please join the Church in prayer for those groups. Be assured of our prayers for you and your intentions, especially that this Lent will be a time of personal renewal for you and your loved ones. God bless you all for your generosity to the missions!
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_Feb_2008.pdf (PDF) |
JANUARY 2008
The Octave of Christmas
January 2008
Dear Friend of the Missions,
Hard to believe that it is another New Year! I hope that the Christmas season still keeps you filled with wonder and joy. This month January I celebrates everything you will read about below.
Jan 3 is the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, the patronal title of our Franciscan province. Please keep us all in your prayers. Jan 6 is the Solemnity of the Epiphany and Jan 13 is the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord. Martin Luther King Day is Jan 21 and Jan 22 is a day of penance and prayer for life. The 100th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is January 18-25. Please join in some of the gatherings during the week to pray for Church Unity. There are only a few weeks to the beginning of Lent (Feb 6) so be ready because it will come up very quickly. Thank you for you support for our missions. We all hope that this New Year will peaceful and healthy.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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January_2008.pdf (PDF) |
DECEMBER 2007
The Image Restored
Christmas is coming, always sooner than we think. I hope that you will be able in the midst of everything to use the advent time to prepare spiritually for the celebration of Christmas.
There are a lot of feasts: Dec. 8 is the Immaculate Conception of Mary (this the patronal feast of the United States); Dec. 12 is Our Lady of Guadalupe; Dec. 3 is St. Francis Xavier, a great missionary in Asia; Dec. 6 is St. Nicholas of Myra, a patron of many of the Eastern Churches; Dec. 26 is the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, and Dec. 27 is the feast of St. John, the apostle and evangelist.
Thank you for all you do for the missions, you are all truly the best gift that God has given to us. We are truly grateful and pray for you every day. May your Christmas be filled with joy and peace and happiness.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_DEC_2007.pdf (PDF) |
NOVEMBER 2007
Who is God?
Dear friend of the missions,
Fall is in full force and perhaps all that is left of the summer are the leaves that many of us are raking up. November begins with the Festival of the Saints on the 1st. We remember our beloved deceased on All Souls Day the 2nd. November 9th is the Dedication of St. John Lateran. It is a good time to pray for the Church. November 17th is the feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, a patron of the Secular Franciscans.
On November 21st, we celebrate the Presentation of Mary in the Temple and November 22nd is Thanksgiving Day. The Solemnity of Christ the King is on November 25th. WE have much to be grateful
for, God watches over us with care. Pray especially for those families that will not be able to be together on Thanksgiving Day, especially because their loved ones are serving in combat.
Pray for peace! All of us are grateful to you for your kindness to the missions, we pray for you every day.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_November_2007.pdf (PDF) |
OCTOBER 2007
Blame God
The beginning of October is the time when all the Franciscan family celebrates St. Francis of Assisi. On October 3 we remember his passing and on October 4 we celebrate his feast day.
We pray in a very special way for all our family, friends and benefactors who support us so generously. On October 11 the Church remembers Blessed John XXIII. His feast day is assigned to the day that he opened the Second Vatican Council in 1962. Keep the Church inyour prayers. October 15 is the feast of St. Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite mystic and Doctor of the Church. October is also the month of the rosary. When you pray, keep in mind the October intentions of the Church in the United States: we are encouraged to pray for better respect of life and for vocations. Thank you for all your help and support.
Please continue to pray for the missions and trust that all of us pray for you. May the Lord bless you and those you love.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_Oct_07.pdf (PDF) |
SEPTEMBER 2007
The Stigmata of St. Francis
It is hard to imagine how time goes by so quickly! September is here and now most of us have a feeling that we have to get serious again. The most unfortunate thing is that many of us did not get to take advantage of the summer and were already too serious. Maybe that is why September begins with Labor Day–a day off.
The Church Year provides us with some wonderful feasts to help us continue to celebrate God’s love and provident care: September 8 is the Nativity of Mary; September 14 is the Triumph of the Cross; September 15 is Our Lady of Sorrows; September 17 is the Stigmata of St. Francis, and September 29 is the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
The calendar also includes September 12 as the memorial of the Holy Name of Mary. Besides praying for our missionaries, remember those who are unemployed and seek work, all those who will begin a new school year. Continue to pray for peace. We have to figure a way to embrace God’s way and stop fighting wars and resorting to violence to solve problems. Thank you so much for all your support. Your prayers make a big difference. Be assured that we are always praying for you and your intentions.
May the Lord bless you and keep you. You are truly special to us.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_Sep_2007.pdf (PDF) |
AUGUST 2007
THE SEVEN JOYS OF MARY
August 2007
Dear Friend of the missions!
Blessed Summer! I hope and pray that you have had some time to rest and regain energy during the summer.
There are some important feasts to remember this month: August 6 is the Transfiguration of the Lord; August 8 is the feast of St. Dominic; August 11 is the feast of St. Clare. The Solemnity of the Assumption is August 15. There is a wonderful tradition of blessing flowers on that day. On the website, we will include that blessing. The octave of the Assumption (Aug 22) is the feast of the Queenship of Mary. Perhaps, on August 23, the feast of St. Rose of Lima, you could pray especially for our mission in Peru. Please pray for peace, it seems so elusive; pray also for all the victims of war and that a way to peace will be found for our world.
All the friars are very grateful for your generosity and prayers. August 2 is a special day for the Franciscans: the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels (patron of the Portiuncola), a day to pray for pardon and the deceased. You make a big difference in the lives of many people.
We always remember you and your intentions. God bless you!
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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ACF70BB.pdf (PDF) |
JULY 2007
No Way for a Son of God to Act
Dear Friend of the Missions!
Summer has arrived, I hope that it is a time for rest and renewal. There are some feasts in July worth remembering and using as days of prayer for special intentions.
July 1st is the feast of Blessed Junipero Serra, a great day to pray for the missions. July 3rd is the Feast of St. Thomas the Apostle, a great day to pray for those who have doubts in faith. July 15th is the feast of St. Bonaventure, a good day to pray for the Franciscan family. July 26th is the feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the parents of Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. Please pray for all grandparents, living and deceased.
There are also civil holidays that are important to observe: July 1st is Canada Day and July 4th is Independence Day. Pray for the people of the Canada and the United States, that God may bless them and give them peace, prosperity and a spirit of generosity.
As you pray for all these intentions remember that we are praying for yours. All of our missionaries and those who work in the office are so grateful for all you do for to help the missions.
God bless you and keep you safe and filled with peace.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary union
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Meditation_July_2007.pdf (PDF) |
JUNE 2007
St. Anthony of Padua: Worker of Wonders in Word and Deed
Dear Friend of the Missions!
The Easter Season has come to a close with Pentecost, but continues from Sunday to Sunday.
In June we celebrate the many Solemnities. It would be good to try to get to Church those days and pray for peace and the missions and the needs of all people. June 3 is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity; June 10 is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On June 13 is St. Anthony of Padua. June 15 is the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heat of Jesus and June 16 is the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. June 24 is the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and June 29 is the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul. (They are the patrons of the Roman Church, a good day to pray for Pope Benedict.) June 17 is Fathers Day; let us pray for all fathers, grandfathers, godfathers, stepfathers and all who serve in a fatherly capacity.
Thank you so much for your continued support of the missions. Be assured of our prayers and gratitude.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M
Director of the Franciscan missionary Union
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Meditation_June_2007.pdf (PDF) |
MAY 2007
Right Up to Pentecost and Sunday after Sunday
Dear Friend of the missions,
This meditation begins the fourth year of the monthly meditations. I want to thank you for reading them, sharing them with others and praying for our missionaries each month. That prayer makes a big difference. The Solemnity of the Ascension and Pentecost are celebrated this month. The Ascension is on Thursday, May 17 in much of the North East, but in most other places it is moved to Sunday, May 20. Pentecost is on May 27. The Easter season ends with the celebration of Pentecost. There are two feasts I would recommend to you: May 10 is the feast of Blessed Damien of Moloka’i and May 31 is the feast of the Visitation. This month is dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God and the Mother of the Church. We also pray for all mothers, living and deceased on Mothers’ Day, May 13. Thank you for your continued support of our missions, we are always grateful for your generosity and concern. Be assured of our prayers for you. Continue to remember that we are Easter people and we celebrate Easter for these full fifty days up to Pentecost and then every Sunday of the year.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_May_200.pdf (PDF) |
APRIL 2007
The new heaven and the new earth
Hopefully, April is bringing some of the beauty of Spring to your lives. Of course, April 8 is Easter Sunday and begins the 50 day feast that continues to Pentecost. All of us pray that this Easter will be joyous and a great source of blessing for you and your loved ones. Join the Church in rejoicing as it welcomes all the new members through the celebration of the sacraments of initiation. We also have cause to rejoice because each Easter we celebrate the remembrance of our own baptisms and get a fresh start as we renew our baptismal promises. Remember Earth Day, April 22, being followers of St. Francis we should be specially concerned about creation. April 29 is Good Shepherd Sunday, take some time and pray for vocations. Your help to us is truly a wonder of the Easter Mystery. All of our missionaries are grateful and we keep you all in our prayers. Thank you so much for your care and generosity.
Fr. Russell Becker, O.F.M.
Director of the Franciscan Missionary Union
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Meditation_April_07.pdf (PDF) |
MARCH 2007
The Call to Conversion
Dear Friend of the Missions,
Lent has started, we who are baptized are trying to answer the call to conversion. Those who are preparing for Baptism are in the midst of a 40 day retreat. Please keep them in your prayers, they are our future. The community prays that they are free from the power of sin, and will present them with the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. These they will need to learn for the time when they participate in the entire Mass after Baptism.
I would like to invite you to continue the traditional practices of Lent: prayer, fasting and almsgiving. The Church has always found these to be very helpful for embracing the spirit of Lent. It is a good time to make sacrifices that will help those who are less fortunate. There are two Solemnities during the month of March: St. Joseph on March 19, and the Annunciation of the Lord on March 25. Let us pray for one another that this Lent will be beneficial to us all!. Your kindness and generosity to our missions is so supportive of the Gospel. Thank you so much. You will all be in our prayers as this season brings us to Easter.
Fr. Russell Becker, OFM
Please clik on the PDF file to see the Meditation for March
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March_meditation-Layout 1.pdf (PDF) |
