Mary Sullivan

Lord, we’re waiting patiently.

To us, dear Lord, stoop down.

Lift us from destruction’s pit.

In this mire, let us not drown.

Our steps now seem so shaky.

We need steps sure and firm.

Put a new song in our hearts.

For Your truth may we yearn.

Lord, we are afflicted.

Deliver us from all distress.

We turn to You as our sure help.

Increase our faithfulness.

Go to our loved ones now Lord.

They know not Your steady ways.

Help loved ones embrace Your teachings.

Help them, dear Lord, today.

(Based on Psalm 40)

Jesus had addressed them.  A parable He told.

To teach them true humility, this story would unfold.

Two men were in the temple.  They had gone there to pray.

A Pharisee and tax collector—to God some things they’d say.

The Pharisee told the Lord how he did things so well.

The head of the Pharisee likely began to swell.

He said he wasn’t greedy.   Adultery he’d not commit.

He fasted and he tithed.  He was proud to admit.

Now off at a distance, the tax collector’s head was bowed.

With lowered head he beat his breast.  He said—perhaps out loud:

“O God be merciful to me.”  He told the Lord he was a sinner.

Through repentance he gained peace with God.  Emerged as the winner.

The tax collector went back home.  He had been justified.

But to that Pharisee, justification was denied.

That man who exalts himself, finds only he has stumbled.

As time goes by, he’s sure to find by God he will be humbled.

The humble man who turns to God, of earth he’ll be its salt.

The Lord Himself will lift him up.  The Lord will him exalt.

Dear Father, keep us humble in all we say and do.

Help us clearly see our sins, that we may repent too.

Grant to us and our loved ones, grace to be sanctified.

In humility may we repent.  Thereby be justified.

“…The Advocate, the Holy Spirit Whom the Father will send in my name—
He will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”  [John 14:26]

Father in heaven, we beg You, send to each one now
The Holy Spirit’s peace and all of His power.
Send Him with His wisdom, send Him with His love,
Send Him now to all of us, with grace from above.

He will teach us everything, remind us what we were told,
In the Scriptures by our Lord, in days gone by of old.
Father we ask You now, in the name of Christ, Your Son,
Send us Your Holy Spirit, that heaven’s race we may run.

Send the Holy Spirit, Father, to those whom we love too.
Send to them true wisdom, that Your will they may do.
We ask this now, dear Father; it’s Your will we adore.
We turn to You, our Father, In the name of Christ, our loving Lord.

We need You Holy Spirit.  Guide us on our way.
Our loved ones need You too, that they no more may stray.
With fervent hearts we’re pleading Father. You are the only One,
Who can send the Holy Spirit, That Your will on earth be done.

St. Charles and Companions, our Courage patron saints, to you we plead.

In dire need of intercession, we beg you intercede.

When King Mwanga took his throne, sought to do evil deeds.

You resisted mightily, to God’s truth you did accede.

We honor your love for our Lord, your peace and perseverance,

Your faith and true fidelity; to truth, your strong adherence.

St. Charles and Companions, lights are now growing dim.

There are many King Mwangas leading souls to sin.

You didn’t run from the faith, or from the faith try to hide.

To martyrdom you persevered, and for the truth you died.

St. Charles and Companions, pray for us, please do.

Pray we too persevere by grace, remain faithful like you.

Pray we resist all evil, as each one of you did.

Pray we shine as lights for God, that Christ’s light not be hid.

Pray all those who we love, will resist evil too.

Pray all souls will follow God, in God all be renewed.

Pray for all our families, that we may do God’s holy will.

Pray God will grant us healing, that our restless hearts be still.

Pray God will strengthen friendships, unite us by what is true.

Pray God will grant us grace to act as true disciples do.

Plead that grace be heaven-sent, that this battle may be won.

We fight this earthly battle in the name of Christ, God’s only Son.

We very much need your prayers.  Leave us not here abandoned.

Beg the Father to send help to us, dear Saint Charles and Companions.