It is how you respond with your heart and your actions. … sino como respondemos con puro corazón y con acciones concretas.” “
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protec- tion of Unborn Children is remem- bered every Jan. 22. The USCCB ob- serves this as a "day of prayer for the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life and of penance for violations to the dignity of the human person committed through acts of abortion." For more information and resourc- es, visit the USCCB Pro-Life Activities at https://www.usccb.org/january-22. For the unborn The Memorare Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen. For more information, please visit https://relevantradio.com/ pray-the-memorare/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Relevant Radio's invites their lis- teners to offer an hourly Memorare prayer to end abortion. Their webpage invites you to pledge to pray the Mem- orare throughout the day.
Liturgy of the Hours Prayer of the people of God
blessing crowned the beginnings of Proyecto Desarrollo Humano. Soon the effort gathered support from Catholic Extension and others. The future of PDH During its two decades, PDH, as it is often called by its workers and volunteers, has put up more buildings and infrastructure on its original site, which serves as the headquarters for a cornucopia of services. These include a medical and dental clinic, coun- seling, a computer lab, a communi- ty garden, a sewing and craft center and even a charitable thrift store and Zumba classes. Some 2,500 local fam- ilies benefit. And in spring of 2024, PDH opened a second site a few miles away at the old San Juan Diego mission church building at Mile 7 Road and Poinsetta Drive in Colonia El Flaco. Bishop Daniel E. Flores granted rent- free use of the former mission, even as the community grows nearby around the new San Juan Diego mission church on Western Road. The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary continue their long service at PDH, including Sister Fatima Santiago, the executive director; Sister Mary Dasari; Sister Emily Jocsun; and Sister Carolyn Ko- sub. In his homily Oct. 26, Father Vil- lero looked to the future, as western Hidalgo County continues to grow. “We are celebrating the 20th anniver- sary. For the 25th? Nothing is sure in the world,” he said. “We can only be grateful, we can only celebrate, for the day that God has given us.” Then he repeated his call to serve. “The ability of social action is not merely to improve the conditions of society. It’s not merely to feed the
hungry, not merely to relieve human suffering … if these were all, they would be important surely,” he said. “But this is not all. A basic consider- ation has to be the removal of all that prevents God from coming into the life of individuals, of families, of com- munities, and of the Church. “Whatever there is that blocks this calls for action.” “ Jesus nos recuerda, aquí no vamos a quedarnos. Vamos a bajar. Vamos a estar con las personas, la gente, espe- cialmente donde hay más necesidad. Donde están los perdidos, los últimos, los insignificantes que siguen multi- plicando en nuestro ambiente. (Jesus reminds us, we’re not going to just stand here. We’re going to get with, we’re going to be with the people, es- pecially those where there is the most need, where live the lost, the last, the overlooked, who continue to grow in numbers in our midst.) Father Wall cited a Gospel pas- sage about two disciples talking, and its relevance to Proyecto. “One of them said, ‘I have found the Messiah. I found the Christ.’ The other disciple said, ‘Where is he from?’ “From Nazareth, in Galilee.’ Nathanael, one of the disciples, said to his friend Philip, ‘What good can come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’ ” “Come here and experience what happens when the divine becomes flesh. What good can come of this co- lonia? Come and see – it is beautiful,” Father Wall said. “What a joy, what an honor, what a privilege it is to come to someplace where you sense the presence of the spirit of God, and see it embodied, incarnate, in the flesh, in you and your families and all that you are doing.” 0
T he “Liturgy of the Hours,” also known as the “Divine Office”, of- fers a structured framework for daily prayer. It is a call for the sanctifica- tion of the entire day by offering prayers at set times. They are intertwined with the rhythm of life, drawing the faithful into a life of constant prayer and union with God. The tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours traces back to Jewish prayer prac- tices, where daily prayers at specific hours were integral to religious life. Early Christians adopted these hours, ground- ing them in Christ’s life, death, and res- urrection. Over time, the prayers were organized and formalized, especially by monastic communities, where the Divine Office became the heartbeat of their spir- itual life. According to the Second Vatican Council’s document “Sacrosanctum Con- cilium,” the purpose of the Liturgy of the Hours is to "sanctify the day" (SC, 88). The intention is not merely for clerics or religious orders but for all faithful to be immersed in the rhythm of prayer, aligning the daily activities with mo-
ments of reflection and communion with God. The Liturgy of the Hours consists of various “offices” or hours of prayer, typically: morning (Laudes), daytime (Terce, Sext, None), evening (Vespers), night prayer (Compline), and Office of Readings (Matin). Each of these offices is made up of psalms, hymns, Scripture readings, and intercessions. The repeti- tion of the psalms over a four-week cycle allows the faithful to meditate on God’s word and integrate it into daily life. “The Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the prayer of the whole People of God.” (CCC 1175) For the individual, it offers an owwvpportunity for transfor- mation. As one prays the Liturgy of the Hours, their heart is gradually formed and shaped by the words of Scripture and the rhythm of the Church’s prayer. This form of prayer cultivates a sense of “ora et labora” (prayer and work), reminding the faithful that prayer is not separate from daily life but interconnected with it.
Sources: USCCB, EWTN, Sacrosantum Con- cilium
The Poor Clare Nuns’ “Manual for Eucharistic Adoration” provides a helpful structure for personal prayer. The ARTS (adoration, repentance, thanksgiving, and supplication) format helps guide the heart and mind to approach God with reverence, humility, gratitude, and trust. Here’s a guide to writing a prayer using the ARTS format: DIY Series: Write your own - A balanced, heartfelt prayer
A doration R epentance T hanksgiving S upplication
ABOVE: Sister Mary Dasari, left, and Sister Emily Jocsun are the current and former directors of the PDH Organic Farm, the community garden project. ABOVE CENTER: Proyecto Desarrollo Humano operates a thrift store where need outweighs the customer’s ability to pay. ABOVE TOP: Handmade products of PDH’s craft workshop go to market on Sunday at the weekend farmer’s market at Bannworth Park in Sharyland.
ADORATION: Begin by acknowledging God’s great- ness, beauty, holiness, and love and meditate on the attributes of God (like his love, holiness, wisdom) and express admiration for him in your own words. REPENTANCE: Focus on seeking forgiveness for sins and shortcomings. Humble yourself before God, ac- knowledging your sins and need for his mercy. This is a time for honesty and openness.
THANKSGIVING: Express your gratitude for God’s blessings. Thank God for his generosity and all he has given you, both in the present and throughout your life. SUPPLICATION: Make your petitions and requests. Place your needs, concerns, and the needs of others be- fore God with faith. Surrender any anxieties or requests into God’s care, trusting in his wisdom and timing.
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DIOCESE OF BROWNSVILLE
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THE VALLEY CATHOLIC
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