Dear Friends of our Pastorate of the Visitation,
This weekend, we celebrate the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our Gospel this weekend speaks to us about the importance of remaining faithful to and persistent in prayer. I am sure all of us pray at some point throughout the day or the week—even if it is just a quick prayer in the morning or evening or grace before meals; but today, Jesus speaks to us about the need to remain persistent in our prayer, or as he says, “to pray always without becoming weary.”
I believe what Jesus is trying to do for us today is to help us see why it is important to pray with persistence. The widow mentioned in this parable has nothing but her ability to keep asking the judge for a just decision. The judge has been refusing her request but ultimately comes around and grants it for her. The judge responds out of fear, but Jesus goes on to say that God will respond to our prayers because of our faith. The challenge for us is to know how to pray and trust in how the Lord will respond. If we pray to win the lottery, then that prayer is more than likely not going to happen. But if we pray for God’s justice to be done, meaning God’s will to be done, then we are praying as Jesus taught us in the Lord’s Prayer. Prayer doesn’t change God, but if done properly, it ought to change us by helping us to conform our wills to the will of God. Never grow weary in prayer, but instead pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17).
Our Fall Youth Ministry retreat is coming up in a few weeks. Our Pastorate Youth will be going on retreat the weekend of Nov 7–9. There is still time to register. The retreat is open to all 8th graders through 12th graders. Retreats are a great way to step away from the busyness of life and engage the Lord in a deeper and more spiritual way. Invite your teens to consider joining us on retreat this Fall.
Our Pastorate Sandwich Ministry is in need of volunteers to make sandwiches 6 times a year for the men and women who utilize the resources at the Day Resource Center on Furnace Branch Road. This could be a great family ministry that can be done at your “Domestic Church” in your home. The ministry needs coverage for two separate days but can always use substitutes as well. For more information, please contact OLC parishioner Barb Coyle at 301-633-8343. Thanks!
Don’t forget to fill your baby bottles with a donation to Women’s Care Mary’s Center, a pregnancy center located in Glen Burnie that assists women and families with pregnancy needs, including unintended pregnancies. We will be collected the baby bottles through the month of October. Thank you for your support.
Thank you for keeping our Pastorate of the Visitation—St. Jane Frances and Our Lady of the Chesapeake—in your daily prayers!
God Bless,
Father Steve
