I've been thinking about this, and I think there are good reasons to continue a visible witness of prayer together. There's a great battle raging in the spiritual realm, and our prayers have been effective.
While it's a great step forward that our diocese's parishes have been allowed to reopen (to some extent) for Mass, this entire episode has exposed much about our Church in need of prayer and restoration. There are still many waiting to return to the liturgy and suffering greatly in other places — not to mention all the tensions visible in the world.
If Friday evenings have been working well for us, I think we should consider this, especially while the weather is agreeable. Corporate prayer is a powerful thing.
I actually don't know the original organizers, so I don't know how to get in touch with them. Maybe a few of us could rotate leading the time so not everyone has to be there every single week? Thoughts?
Sorry for the confusion last week. I received an e-mail from the organizers saying that they were not going to be holding last Friday's rally and I thought everyone had received that message. :(
The good news is that many of the parishes in the Joliet Diocese are opening or already open.So...while there is still much to pray for, the benefits of doing so as we have been doing are not clear. We are working on strategies but at least for this week (6/12) we will take a break from praying at St. Raymond's. Please do check back here for updates, we will keep you posted.
Are we still continuing these Friday prayer vigils? Last week I stopped by and a small group from another parish was there. I thought we should clarify if these meetings will continue now that our diocese has allowed parishes to reopen for Mass. (Of course, there are certainly always other things to pray for!) Thanks. :)
We are meeting tomorrow night at 7PM at St. Raymonds. Please come and also invite a family or friends to come too. The more people we have attend, the more powerful the prayers and statement we make to the Bishop. We would love to see you there! INVITE, INVITE, INVITE!!
I've been thinking about this, and I think there are good reasons to continue a visible witness of prayer together. There's a great battle raging in the spiritual realm, and our prayers have been effective.
While it's a great step forward that our diocese's parishes have been allowed to reopen (to some extent) for Mass, this entire episode has exposed much about our Church in need of prayer and restoration. There are still many waiting to return to the liturgy and suffering greatly in other places — not to mention all the tensions visible in the world.
If Friday evenings have been working well for us, I think we should consider this, especially while the weather is agreeable. Corporate prayer is a powerful thing.
I actually don't know the original organizers, so I don't know how to get in touch with them. Maybe a few of us could rotate leading the time so not everyone has to be there every single week? Thoughts?
Hello Rachel and all,
Sorry for the confusion last week. I received an e-mail from the organizers saying that they were not going to be holding last Friday's rally and I thought everyone had received that message. :(
The good news is that many of the parishes in the Joliet Diocese are opening or already open. So...while there is still much to pray for, the benefits of doing so as we have been doing are not clear. We are working on strategies but at least for this week (6/12) we will take a break from praying at St. Raymond's. Please do check back here for updates, we will keep you posted.
Are we still continuing these Friday prayer vigils? Last week I stopped by and a small group from another parish was there. I thought we should clarify if these meetings will continue now that our diocese has allowed parishes to reopen for Mass. (Of course, there are certainly always other things to pray for!) Thanks. :)
For those who would like to join in singing the songs at our Joliet Prayer Rally, here is a PDF you can print or open on your phone.
We are meeting tomorrow night at 7PM at St. Raymonds. Please come and also invite a family or friends to come too. The more people we have attend, the more powerful the prayers and statement we make to the Bishop. We would love to see you there! INVITE, INVITE, INVITE!!