Monday, June 8, 2009             (Next meeting: Mon, July 13, 2009)

7:30 p.m.  -  Ultreya

·        Song:   “ How Great Thou Art” ( RS book Pete/Banjo; Carlos/ Drums)

·        Opening Prayer: Jesus has poured out His spirit on us, allowing us to call God “Abba, Father!”  In Christ, we are heirs of the Father, brothers and sisters of the Prince of Peace, and beneficiaries of the Holy Spirit.  So, approach Jesus with confidence.  He loves you, so you can feel free to ask him for what you need. Receive the comforts he delights to give you.          Blessed Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I accept adoption into your family.  I have so many needs, but above them all, I need to know your love.  Today, create more room in my heart so that I might know your love better.  Amen.

From “the Word Among us, June 2009

·        Introductions.

·        Small groups

·        Song: “Jesus is Changing Me”  (Pete/ Banjo, Carlos/Drums)

·        Witness:  Nancy Wiscievicz reflected on how the Lord has worked in her life, bringing her guidance in difficulties and comfort in sorrows.  She shared how Jesus is changing her to release control of her life and trust in Him to give her what she needs to be more Christian.  She gave Jesus the credit for helping her to be with her sister through her recent illness and death and to accept the will of God in her life.  Nancy gave us copies of the Litany of Humility to pray together as she concluded her witness:

O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.

 

From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being extolled,

From the desire of being loved,

From the desire of being praised,

From the desire of being preferred to others,

From the desire of being consulted,

From the desire of being approved,

 

From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.

From the fear of being despised,

From the fear of suffering rebukes,

From the fear of being calumniated,

From the fear of being forgotten,

From the fear of being ridiculed,

From the fear of being wronged,

From the fear of being suspected.

 

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, give me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I,

That in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease.

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.

(Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val)

 

·        Old/New News

·       Cursillo School of Leaders, 6/17/09, 7-9 PM, St. Joseph’s, Largo.

·       Farewell Potluck for Fr Jim Downs, 6/21/9, 2 PM, Pastoral Center.  Give palanca to Ginger, if you can’t attend.

·       Relax and Reflect Retreat, 6/24-26/09,Our Lady of Mattaponi.  Retreat master: Fr. David Knight.  See  your Ultreya leader for application.  

·       Washington Cursillo Picnic:  9/20/09, 2 PM Mass celebrated by Fr. Norval, followed by potluck picnic.

·       199th Women’s Weekend, 10/8-11/09, Josephite Center, Washington DC.  See your Ultreya leader for application.

·       Next Meeting: Mon, July 13 (2nd Monday in July)

 

·        End Prayer; Trudy led the closing prayer:

 

Father's Day Prayer
God bless those fathers who strive to balance the demands of work, marriage, and children with an honest awareness of both joy and sacrifice. God bless those fathers who, lacking a good model for a father, have worked to become good fathers.

God bless those fathers who by their own account were not always there for their children, but who continue to offer those children, now grown, their love and support. 

God bless those fathers who, despite separation or divorce, have remained in their children's lives. God bless those fathers whose children are adopted, and whose love and support has offered healing.

God bless those fathers who, as stepfathers, freely choose the obligation of fatherhood and earned their step children's love and respect. God bless those fathers who have lost a child to death, and continue to hold the child in their heart.

God bless those men who have no children, but cherish the next generation as if they were their own.

God bless those men who have "fathered" us in their role as mentors and guides.

God bless those men who are about to become fathers; may they openly delight in their children.

And God bless those fathers who have died, but live on in our memory and whose love continues to nurture us.

 

Amen.