CSVF Blog

Hurricane Gustav’s notable but less than expected severity offers us only momentary gratitude as we look ahead to the impending threats named Hanna, Ike, and Josephine.  In what’s turning out to be a busy hurricane season, those residing on our nation’s shores continue to need our prayers.

After Hurricane Audrey in 1957, Bishop Maurice Schexnayder, the second Bishop of Lafayette, penned a prayer that is still used yearly by Catholics in Louisiana and all over the Gulf Coast.  I pass it on for your use.

PRAYER FOR HURRICANE SEASON

O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude. You are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control: the Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, invade our land, and spread chaos and disaster.

During this hurricane season we turn to you, O Loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time.

O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a stormless eternity awaits us.

Amen.

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The Sisters of Life have announced a new opportunity for young adults and all New York City Catholics to give a public and prayerful witness to the Church’s Gospel of Life, or as the Sisters say, “to pray at the front lines of the culture of life and death.”

From Sr. Lucy Marie, SV:

Join with the Sisters of Life and NYC young adults and be part of a new generation building a culture of life.

First Saturday Prayer Vigils begin on Sat, Sept 6th with 8am Mass at Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC – Msgr. Phillip Reilly will be the main celebrant. See Flier below and attached. Come to all or part of the morning.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass begins our day in beautiful Old St. Patrick’s Cathedral (the Sisters of Life will provide a Schola), Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament follows, and people can either remain in the Church to adore our Lord or attend the rosary procession to the local abortion clinic – Planned Parenthood.

Upon return from the clinic (approx 10:15am) we will have a social (complete with coffee and bagels) with a short (15 mins) presentation by the Sisters of Life. You will hear of concrete ways to be of service, as Co-Workers, helping vulnerable pregnant women that are currently being served by the Sisters.

Promote this to your friends and let me know if you plan on attending on Sept 6th and approx how many people you may be bringing. Keep the spiritual success of this effort for Life in your daily prayers.

Thank you and God Bless.
Sr. Lucy Marie
Respect Life Coordinator
Archdiocese of New York
212-371-1011 X3192

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