US Bishops Call for a Special Day of Prayer and Fasting

The following is a quote from the USCCB's Respect Life office, during all the faithful to pray and fast this Friday: 

 

May 10, 2022 WASHINGTON - In response to the leak of a draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, some abortion advocates are calling for nationwide demonstrations, disruptions of church services, and the personal intimidation of specific Supreme Court justices. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities invited the faithful to unite in fasting and prayer:   “In the midst of current tensions, we invite Catholics around the country to join us in fasting and praying the Rosary on Friday, May 13, the Memorial of Our Lady of Fatima. Let us offer our prayers and fasting for these intentions:   ·     For our nation, for the integrity of our judicial system, and that all branches of government be dedicated to seeking the common good and protecting the dignity and rights of the human person, from conception to natural death. ·     For the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey in the Supreme Court’s final decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. ·     For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who advocate for abortion. ·     For a new commitment to building an America where children are welcomed, cherished, and cared for; where mothers and fathers are encouraged and strengthened; and where marriage and the family are recognized and supported as the true foundations of a healthy and flourishing society. ·     For Our Blessed Mother’s intercession and guidance as the Church continues to walk with mothers and families in need, and continues to promote alternatives to abortion, and seeks to create a culture of life.   As Catholics, let us witness to the beautiful gift of life with civility and love, and with our peaceful prayers and our compassionate service to all those in need.   Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.” The NCCW Rosary Call will be held Friday at 6:30 pm Central time.  You can find call in information HERE.

A Day of Prayer & Fasting for Peace

 

On February 23, 2022 during his general audience, Pope Francis called on all believers (and non-believers!) to pray and fast for peace in Ukraine. 

“I invite everyone to make March 2, Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting for peace,” he said. “I encourage believers in a special way to devote themselves intensely to prayer and fasting on that day. May the Queen of Peace protect the world from the folly of war.”

URGENT!! NCCW Prayer Vigil against Satanic Conference!

To combat the darkness of the occult and Satanic practices in all its forms, the National Council of Catholic Women is organizing a nationwide prayer vigil for the weekend of February 11-13, 2022. During these three days, The Satanic Temple will be hosting an event titled “SatanCon” in Scottsdale Arizona. The group promotes so-called “reproductive rights” (i.e., abortion) and their After-School Satan Club, a chapter of which began in January 2022 in the Moline-Coal Valley school district in Illinois. (Addendum: another club began in Lebanon City Schools (OH) on January 27^th.)

To get involved, people of faith are encouraged to set aside a specific time each day to pray against the demonic forces that are descending upon Arizona, Illinois, and anywhere else they are invited in. This is not some casual Halloween prank, but an intentional spiritual attack launched by The Satanic Temple and its supporters. If the event organizers feel they are successful in any way, they will continue holding these events. We must respond with boldness, with confidence, and with a unified voice to stop them!

As Catholics, we have the BEST tools for spiritual battle! We have the Rosary, and we have Jesus Himself in the Most Blessed Sacrament! Because of this, we invite people to make a special Holy Hour at least once during this weekend before the Blessed Sacrament if you can. We recognize some people are unable to go into their Church for reasons of health, transportation, etc., so please know that we welcome ALL prayers from wherever you are!

We are asking that people sign up for slots to help us cover all the hours. If you do not sign up formally but decide to pray intentionally for this Vigil, we welcome you, too! The time slots on the online list are set to the Eastern time zone, but Scottsdale AZ is in the Mountain time zone.

NCCW offers these tools to help you get involved as an individual, with your family, parish, or diocese:

·         Online sign-up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e4dadab2ca1f4c61-prayer

(You must sign up for a free account at Sign Up Genius to use this tool.)

·         OR contact NCCW Spirituality Commission Chair, Kim Padan by email to kim (at) gabrielsmom (dot) com to select a time slot. You can also use the Contact Us form in the right  column of this page.  --->

·         Announcements suitable for parish bulletins and social media use.

·         List of suitable prayers and specific intentions to help your hour bear fruit.

·         Photos with verses suitable to post on social media.

NCCW was founded by the US Bishops in 1920 to provide a common voice for Catholic women across the country. Our leadership team is reaching out to other Catholic groups and parishes, as well as non-Catholics to spread the word. We believe this is an important battle worthy of the attention of every Christian. It is important to note that we wish no harm would come to any person involved in this conference, so we ask that all prayer be respectful of the dignity of these people, misguided though they are. Pray for their conversion, not their demise.

Spread the word. Join us in prayer. Share the Light of Christ in our darkened world.

 

Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us.

Join us in Prayer

 THIS Sunday at 7:00 p.m. we are holding a prayer service, and we want YOU to join us!

You are Invited!

On Monday November 6th, the Peoria Diocesan Council of Catholic Women will host a special Day of Remembrance for All Souls.  This year's event will be in one of our more northern communities; Sacred Heart Church at 305 West South Avenue in Annawan, IL.  Our location was chosen in a special way to honor one of our dear friends, Maralyn Guthrie.  Here is an outline of the day's events:

9:30 ~ Registration, with coffee and donuts

10:00 ~ Welcome & Opening Prayer

10:15 ~ Presentation by Father Timothy Sauppe

11:00 ~ Holy Mass

12:00 ~ Lunch

12:45 ~ Presentation by Father Sauppe

1:30 ~ Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, & Confession

2:30 ~ Benediction

A special invitation is extended to carpool after the event to the parish cemetery to pray for the soul buried there, including Maralyn Guthrie.  Father Sauppe will explain how the events of this day can help each of us obtain a Plenary Indulgence.

Cost for the day is $18, and men are also welcome to attend.  Click Here for an event flier and registration information.  

Let's Pray for Our Church! (UPDATED)

During the month of July, Pope Francis has asked all of us to pray for our brothers and sisters who have fallen away from the Catholic faith, hoping that they will return to the One Flock with the One Shepherd.  Last year, the Peoria DCCW invited each vicariate to offer a Mass at one of their parishes for this intention.  To join our hearts and prayers with our Holy Father, several of these Masses will be held again during this month (and some later in the year.)  We invite you to attend the Mass in your area.  Along with attending Mass, please pray the Litany of the Good Shepherd (below) with your women's group, your family, or any other group at your parish.

Here is the schedule of Masses:  New date added and highlighted

• Bloomington Vicariate:  Epiphany, Normal - July 5th, 7:00 a.m.
• Pontiac Vicariate:  St. Patrick, Dwight - July 7th, 11:15 a.m.
• Ottawa Vicariate:  St. Columba, Ottawa - July 8th, 7:30 a.m.
• Peoria Vicariate:  St. Mary, Kickapoo - July 9th, 7:00 a.m.
• Pekin Vicariate:  Blessed Sacrament, Morton - July 12th, 8:00 a.m.
• Danville Vicariate:  Holy Family, Danville - July 14th, 9:00 a.m.
• Galesburg Vicariate: Immaculate Heart, Galesburg - July 14th, 8:15 a.m.
• LaSalle Vicariate:  St. Louis, Princeton - July 26th, 11:15 a.m.
• Macomb Vicariate:  Macomb - August 4th, 5:30 p.m.
• Champaign Vicariate:  Holy Cross, Champaign - September 17th, 8:00 a.m.
• Rock Island Vicariate:  Our Lady of Guadalupe - November 24th, 7:30 a.m.
• Kewanee Vicariate:  TBA

(John 10:16) I have other sheep that are not of this fold. These also I must lead. They will hear my voice. There will be…

         One Flock, One Shepherd.

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Litany of the Good Shepherd

Leader: Let us pray for the return of friends, family, and others who have fallen away from our Catholic faith.

Leader:   God the Father of the Lamb,

Response:    have mercy on us.

God the Son, Sacrificial Lamb, R…

God the Holy Spirit, Life of the Lamb, R…

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Leader:    O Good Jesus, Shepherd of the just,

Response:         hear our prayer.

Vigilant Finder of lost sheep, R…

Fervent Hope of the fallen lamb, R…

Constant Gatherer of a broken flock, R…

O Good Shepherd, R…

Purest shelter of the yearning heart, R…

Perpetual Feast of the hungry soul, R…

Lasting Bread of perfect life, R…

O Good Shepherd, R…

Patient Tamer of rebellious wills, R…

Loyal Teacher of all kind commands, R…

Tender Purger of all blemish of sin, R…

O Good Shepherd, R…

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Leader: From the lures of false shepherds hiding in Thy guise,

Response:   Good Shepherd, protect us, rescue us.

From the mirage of the richer field, seeking to conquer our minds, R…

From diseases of the soul, separating us from Thy flock, R…

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Leader:   O Good Shepherd, at once the Guard and Lamb, Who knows well the sheep He leads, guide us, feed us, shear us,

and bid us come unto Thee,

delighting in Thy heavenly pasture,

and praising Thee forever and ever.

All:   Amen.

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Thank you for participating in this most special prayer!