Mary Sullivan

Lord Jesus, You Who for our sins did suffer, and did die.
We ourselves are feeling now, somewhat crucified,
We thought we gave our children faith—a pearl of great price,
They dropped this pearl, embraced the world, shunning our advice.

As if our love for them was useless, useless too the work we’d done,
In teaching them to know You, the Father’s only Son.
We know that with the faith, once we’ve served You for a while,
Tribulations come along, and so too many trials.

But it shocked us to see them turn, and leave their faith rejected.
We did not see this coming.  It was so unexpected.
By fire, gold is tested.  To this we do confess,
We are feeling tested, amidst this confusing mess.

We are feeling broken, feeling humiliated.
But is it not the humble, who in heaven are exalted and elated?
In patience, Lord, we cling to You.  You, we will not forsake.
But we are feeling bitten, attacked by the snake.

But could it be we’re seeing things, from some selfish steeple?
Why should this be a cross that’s meant only for other people?
And isn’t this way of thinking, when in truth we can abide,
A little bit of smugness, and a tad bit of pride?

Yes, we are feeling crushed, at times much disturbed.
We pray for grace in trouble, grace to stay unperturbed.
We accept what has befallen us, accept it with much sorrow.
Yet wait in hope for better days, and glorious tomorrows.

We beg Your loving mercy, Lord. Help us lest we fall.
Fear of the Lord and wisdom, we pray You grant us all.
Grant mercy to our loved ones; that their hearts be enlightened.
May Your belt of truth, around their waists, be fastened and be tightened.

Has anyone put hope in You, and been disappointed?
Have any been forsaken, who trusted You, the One Anointed?
You are our Protector Lord, in crippling debris and rubble.
Protect us Lord, and those we love.  Save us in this time of trouble.

(Based on Sirach 2:1-11)

Lord Jesus, may we bear as You have borne,
This cross seems so heavy and leaves us so forlorn.
May we, like You, Who for our salvation died,
Now lift high our crosses, from which so oft’ we’ve shied.

May our crosses draw us close to You and may they set us free.
May they take us through this life, and to eternity.
Grant to us the graces, today and every day,
To lift high our crosses as they come our way.

 Lord Jesus, we surrender all, in fervent prayer to You.
We trust whatever crosses come, You’ll help us bear them too.
Keep us close, dear and near, to Your Sacred Heart.
May we find our strength in You, and from You not depart.

May we find the victory crown, is what we one day win.
Arm us for this battle.  Free us from all sin.
We pray this not just for ourselves, dear and gracious Lord,
We pray for our loved ones, lost in much discord.

Give help to our loved ones, Lord, so that they go where You lead.
Nurture in them that perhaps small, yet faith-filled loving seed.
Help our loved ones to respond, to answer when You call.
As the world feeds its lies to them, do not let them fall,
Into believing as if true, what are just lies after all.
Help them to know Truth, and in Truth to stand tall.

Jesus, grant to loved ones, the grace to follow You.
That they may find a pure life, a hope-filled life brand new.
May our loved ones seek Your will in all they say and do.
Bring each loved one home.  Bring each one back to You.

We know that You are listening.  We know that You are there.
We know that You love us.  We know how much You care.
We will keep on praying; by grace fight off despair.
We beg You Lord, make haste to answer this, our hope-filled prayer.

“Who except God can give you peace?  Has the world ever been able to satisfy the human heart?”  (Saint Gerard Majella)

Dear Lord, give to us Your peace, that in peace we might pray.
Give to us the peace we need, to get us through the day.
So much is going on, dear Lord.  It seems too much to take.
But we can persevere in peace if all evil we forsake.

Only in Your will Lord, can peace be truly found.
For that is where, Your hope and joy, in love and truth abound.
We’ve looked in other places; and could not find peace there.
We’ve looked to extravagances; we have looked everywhere.

For peace within the heart simply can’t be bought.
It can’t be found in money made, as maybe we had thought.
It can’t be found in drugs or drinks.  We won’t find it in bars.
It can’t be found by buying new and fancy cars.

Peace won’t be found, when snippily, we cause controversy.
Peace is found, when we show, Divine-inspired mercy.
Peace is found when we seek out, others we can serve.
True peace comes from You, O Lord; our service You deserve.

Peace is Your blessing to us when it’s You that we adore.
When we simply follow You, peace steps through our front door.
Then stays with us throughout the night, through all our trials too.
You told us in the scriptures “My peace I give to you.”

Loved ones have gone seeking peace that only You can give.
They’ve looked in painful places, seeking how in peace to live.
The world has lured them far from peace, where Satan’s lies abide.
Help them embrace Your will in peace; from Your will may they not hide.

In Your mercy bring them peace dear Lord, do not from them depart,
Show them the path that leads to peace, place peace within their hearts.
Show now to each loved one, how best in peace and love to live.
In Your mercy give to them the peace, that only You can give.

Lord, ever-present, and in our midst.

From You and in You, true love exists.

We give You thanks, Jesus, as we turn to You,

Only by Your love, can life be renewed.

We need grace to listen, that Your voice we will hear.

You will not leave us. You are ever near.

Should fearful thoughts come, help us embrace piety.

Free us from all worry.   Free us from anxiety.

When we pray to You, in thankful petition,

When we give our wills to You, in humble submission,

Then peace fills our lives, in a way not demanding,

For peace triumphs fear, and over understanding.

Dear Lord, help our loved ones find their peace in You.

Help them pray in petition, give thanks for You too.

Help them know Your love, that You are in their midst.

Go now and teach them that true love exists.

May Your love be the love, loved ones seek to find.

Guard their hearts, Jesus.  Guard their hearts and minds.

(Based on Phil. 4:4-8)

“Let nothing disturb you,

Let nothing frighten you,

All things are passing.

God never changes.

Patience obtains all.

He who has God lacks nothing.

For God alone suffices.”

(St. Teresa of Avila 10/15)

Dear Father, may we never be afraid or be disturbed.

May we find our true peace in You and never be perturbed.

Everything will pass away.  But not the things above.

All things may be passing, but not faith and hope and love.

Let us think about the things that won’t one day disappear.

Let faith and hope and love be what gets us through the year.

So many things are changing, but to this we now acclaim:

You, Lord, are unchanging.  You forever stay the same.

So let us cling now to our Lord.  We lack nothing with our God.

He will suffice for all our needs on this rough road we trod.

Dear Father, help us grow in patience, as on Thee we now wait.

Help us, Father, on this journey toward heaven’s holy narrow gate.

Lord Jesus, we have lost loved ones.  Do not abandon them, dear Lord.

We ask You now to seek them.  May it be You Whom they adore.

Go to them, dear Lord Jesus. Help them be no more afraid.

Show to them Your divine love and the reason they were made.

Help them see You never change.  You never pass away.

Your steady arms will lift and carry them throughout the day.

Give them now the grace, dear Lord, to heed this sure and sound advice:

With God, we can lack nothing.  God and His love suffice.