"Visitation" by Jason Jenicke all rights reserved.
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"Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit cried out in a loud voice and said, most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb." LK 1:41,42
St. Mary of the Visitation
Roman Catholic Church 205 W. Pecan, Lockhart Texas 78644 Phone (512) 398-4649 Fax (512) 398-2285 |
This Week at St. Mary of the Visitation...
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary time...
Web Message to All Ministries & Organizations...Each ministerial and organizational group at St. Mary of the Visitation (SMVL) now has its own web-page on our new site. We need your help in updating content!
Pictures, art and a story, or history about your group would be just great! Please contact the webservant. 
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The Collect for Week 17
O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing in holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Reflection for Week 17 This whole week could be a time for each of us to grow in a sense of what we most deeply desire. If we let Sunday's gospel open our hearts we might find ourselves asking, begging God for what we need. And we can let the daily gospels renew our hope. Have we become cynical and jaded a bit? The world does seem to be like a field someone sowed weeds into. The growth of God's reign in this world doesn't seem to be growing, and the seeds seem so small. This is a good week to get in touch with what is discouraged in our hearts and to let the courage the Lord is offering us renew us. He promises that even small seeds work and that even a little yeast allows dough to grow. The process is sometimes imperceptible, but that's why Jesus reminds us to place our trust in him. Our own hearts might be full of weeds, but the Lord doesn't want us ripping ourselves apart. He is full of mercy and healing reconciliation. Jesus does not want us to be scandalized by the evil we see in the world. God is patient. And, God alone will judge. So every day this week, we can begin our day, establishing a focus. This might be while standing next to our bed for a brief minute, or while pouring ourselves a cup of coffee, or while in the shower or getting dressed. This is the time that can transform any busy day into a more focused time of connection with our Lord. Using all sorts of background times throughout the day will take no “extra” time for prayer, but will make it possible to let these powerful scriptures interact with the daily events and relationships with which we are involved. One morning we might begin our day, simply by saying, “Lord, thank you for this day. Help me to pay attention to what and who I'm treasuring today.” Or, “Lord, be with me this day and help me check my need to judge others. Help me place my trust in you today.” While in the shower or going to work I might talk with the Lord about the day ahead, asking for particular help, focus, or a new way of valuing during that difficult 10 a.m. meeting or with the clients or students or patients I will see. While doing the wash or shopping or preparing meals or while taking time with my family or friends in the evening, I can let myself have these 30 second friend-to-friend conversations with the Lord. The readings provide a compass for our daily journey, but it is the continual practice at connecting with our Lord that carries us through the day. Looking back and saying “thank you” every night, if even for 30 seconds, will gradually transform us and give us more courage and hope.
Pray for Others...
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Today in the Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time ...
Information about Ordinary Time
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Mass Times Sacrament of Reconciliation Rosary- St. Mary of the Visitation Parish Office |
