Mary Sullivan

“God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

If we could love like You love Lord,
With hearts that are divine,
If we could share Your sacred love,
From hearts which were sublime.

If we knew just the words to say,
When those we loved felt gloom.
If we could tend their hurting hearts,
If their hearts for You found room.

If we could love like You love Lord,
Then love would surely spread,
From You, through us to others,
In each act we did and word we said.

If we could love like You, dear Lord,
Then others on this day,
Would see mercy and forgiveness,
When they chanced to glance our way.

We are Your fallen creatures, Lord.
But in You we believe.
May other hearts find the love,
our hearts from You receive.

We ask You now, sweet Jesus,
On loved ones to bestow,
The love and grace which over time,
We have come to know.

Use us to show our loved ones,
The love they do not see.
We are all in some way blind,
To love which flows to us from Thee.

Use us to bring to others,
When life’s trials fail to cease,
Some of Your great mercy,
And some of Your peace.

Let sacred love flow through us, Lord.
No more, let hearts delay,
The search for truth and pure love,
Transform all hearts today.

“Pray, Hope and do not Worry”
(St. Padre Pio)

Though the day be rushing by,
Though business leaves us in a hurry,
Through it all, may we have grace,
To pray, to hope, and never worry.

Though around us mountains crumble,
As we fight with strength to cope.
May we restart, once more rebuild,
May we persevere in joyful hope.

When all seems dimmed by stain of sin,
Darkness devours break of day,
May we turn with trust to God.
May our first thought be to pray.

Loved ones now can seem so lost,
Lost and struggling to cope,
May all find new joy in You,
Seek You in prayer.  In prayer, find hope.

Though the road ahead be rough.
Though the road seems all uphill.
May loved ones seek You, Lord.
Know to seek Your holy will.

In Your will, we are protected.
In Your will, we’re free from harm.
May those we love, find true peace,
In Your strong, secure, and loving arms.

John was shown by the Lord a heaven that was new.
The former heaven passed away.  John saw a new earth too.
The former earth was now gone, and with it gone the sea.
The Holy City had come down, in its full glory.

The Lord at last has come to dwell among His people.
In a place where virtue reigned, in a place void of all evil.
In a place where peace prevailed, no more conflict or wars.
He would wipe away our tears.  Our tears would be no more.

The old order passed away.  No more mourning, no more moans.
Just the glory of heaven with the Lord upon His throne.
He is forever with us.  We are forever with Him.
Forever truth will shine, no more will truth grow dim.

The Master has triumphed.  For us He has come through.
He pronounced the words: “Behold, I make all things new.”
All was glory, now made new, by Him on Whom we depend.
He is the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end.

Dear Lord, when our earthly trials seem too much to bear.
When life’s burdens weigh us down, help us know that You are there.
You wait for us to come to You.  You are our true and loyal friend.
Help us remember, dear Lord, the glory of our final end.

Help our loved ones to stay faithful, to what You said and taught.
With feet on the path to heaven, may they be no more distraught.
Guide them toward the truth.  Guide them toward Your glory too.
May we all one day dwell in glory in a new heaven with You.

(Based on Rev. 21:1-6)

Dear Blessed Mother, to you we come,
You are our Mother most pure and the one,
From among all of our race,
Is our mother most prudent, our mother most chaste.
Our Mother most powerful and merciful too,
Our tainted nature’s one boast is you.
Our Mother so meek, our mother so mild
Our mother most powerful and undefiled.
Our gate of heaven, as told from of old
You’re the Ark of the covenant, and House of gold.
You’re the health of the sick, upon you we lean.
You are our Mother.  You are our Queen!
Mystical rose, like you there’s no other,
We give all to Jesus, through you, our Mother.
Take our feeble works, and when we are done
Shine them all up and give them to your Son.
Be with our loved ones, lost and astray,
Touch their troubled hearts, in your motherly way.
Comfort their souls, confused and undone.
Show them the way to true joy in your Son.
Show us how Mary, with grace from above
to reach our loved ones with your motherly love.
We honor you Mary, our Mother most pure.
We thank you for being our Mother and more.
We thank you for granting us so many graces.
Aiding us all as we run through life’s races,
May we please you Mother.  When all is said and done,
May we honor you by doing the will of your Son.

As we trust in You, Lord, lead us to Your light.
Help us, Lord, to know You, and to do what is right.
Help us through this dark night, until light breaks through at dawn.
From faith in You, we pray, Lord, that good fruit will be borne.

Dear Lord, give us a true peace, give us wisdom to see
That walking with steps full of faith, will at last set us free.
In this dark and painful valley, on which You ask us trod,
May strength come through faith in You, our ever-faithful God.

Go now, Lord, to those we love.  Help our loved ones too.
May they love the true faith and love the truth in You.
Guide them along this rough road, this so often painful way.
Lead them home to You, Lord, and to Your truth today.

(Based on Sir. 11:20-22)