THE SAINT ANN PRAYER TREE: CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
Answering a request for prayer does not put a burden on us.
It’s about letting us walk with you down a path
you were never intended to walk alone.
Pope Francis, tenderly reveals that the heart of intercessory prayer is trust in the person of Jesus Christ. With that faith in Jesus we can intercede for our friends and family who are in particular need of God’s mercy. Whatever particular needs one may have, prayer brings their need before our merciful Savior.
We have heard from many families, placed on the St. Ann Prayer Tree, that they truly feel the prayers helped their Loved Ones and their Families, in time of need…AND how much comfort there is in knowing there are so many praying for them. Our Prayer Tree Circle of Friends are discovering how much power intercessor prayer has before God.
With the beginning of 2016, we are adding “Prayers in General". We hope to reach out to those that are not comfortable asking for prayers, but desperately need the support, comfort and strength to help them in their journey of life.
It is very simple to become a part of this growing ministry. Men AND women are invited to join. All that is needed is your name, address, phone number and e-mail address on the Sign-up Form provided. You can sign up for the e-mail list or the phone list, if you do not have e-mail. Please deposit the completed form in the box provided near the lighted tree in the Narthex. And – no meetings and no fundraisers!!
We pray the Novena to Saint Ann, asking her to present our needs to her daughter, The Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus.
In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
we present our requests to God.
We rush through our busy, day; we receive an e-mail or call regarding someone needing our prayers; we stop what we are doing; we pray; we are helping someone; sometimes, we realize how fortunate WE are; we feel God’s presence; we are calmed!!
The nicest place to be is in someone’s thoughts,
The safest place to be is in someone’s prayers,
And the very best place to be is in the hands of God.
Thank you, and remember, PRAYER IS POWERFUL,
Penny Caruso, 815 467-6080 PENLC@COMCAST.NET
Judy Rohman 815 467-6492 jroh74@aol.com
Prayer is communion with God. Prayer can be public or personal, spoken or silent. The psalms are prayers we sing; they have been a part of the Church’s communal prayer since the earliest days of the Church. Prayer is communication with a God who loves us and desires to be in relationship with us.
Jesus teaches us about the importance of prayer. The Gospels record seventeen times that Jesus took time apart to pray. In the Scriptures, Jesus prays often, morning and night. He prays during critical events in his life and he prays before ministering to people in need. Jesus is a model of prayer for us.
Prayer is essential to living a full, Catholic life. The central communal form of prayer for the Church is the Mass. Some of the Church’s most traditional and foundational prayers are as follows:
Grace before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these your gifts which we are about to receive from your goodness, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glory to the Father
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail, Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you we cry, the children of Eve; to you we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this land of exile. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; lead us home at last and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus: O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
There are also contemporary ways to pray. Talking with God each day, no matter the form or words used, nourishes our relationship and helps it to grow.
- Silent prayer or meditation helps us center our thoughts on God’s goodness and offers renewal in a noisy, hectic world.
- Lectio Divina is a way of praying with the sacred Scriptures. Find a Scripture passage that speaks to you. Read it out loud and then reflect upon it silently for several minutes. Read it again. Notice any words or phrases that stick with you. Ask God what you are to learn from this passage. Listen.
- Keep a prayer journal with all of your wants, needs, thoughts and reflections related to your prayer life.
