On Tuesday October 17th, we had a Holy Hour and a day of prayer for peace in Israel.  This was done at the request of the Patriarch Archbishop of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.  TOMORROW, Friday October 27th, has been designated by His Holiness Pope Francis as a day of prayer, fasting and penance for peace in Israel and Gaza.  I am sorry I didn’t give you more notice, but I only found out about this late this afternoon.

The Queens adoration chapel is available 24/7.  The church will be open from 6am to 5:00pm for those wishing to come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament.  You may also choose to join us for the 9am Mass.

The Pope will lead prayers in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican at 6pm Rome time, that’s noon here if you wish to pray in union with the Holy Father and the Universal Church.

The fast can be one meal, a dessert, snack, that extra cup of coffee or bottle of beer, giving up some tv or technology time, whatever sacrifice we might make to show solidarity with those who are suffering on both sides of this conflict.

Though we won’t be having another holy hour in the church for this purpose, you could look up the October 17 holy hour in our archived videos on Facebook and YouTube and pray along.  

Lord, God of power, might and mercy, all the peoples of the world come from You, and in times of crisis and tragedy, all the peoples of the world are invited to turn to You for consolation, comfort and guidance.

Let there be peace on earth.  Wherever there is war, terrorism or violence, may swords be turned into ploughshares.  We pray especially for peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians in the Holy Land.  Theirs is the holiest place on earth, where you made Your covenant and where Your son preached, taught and worked many mighty deeds. 

We pray for a de-escalation in the hostilities of the opposing sides of this conflict, so that hostages may be returned to their families and aid given to those innocents who are cut off from the basic necessities of life.  Comfort the grieving, console the sorrowing, and give strength and healing to those whose injuries may soon bring them to You.  

All life is sacred.  All life is Your gift to us.  Regardless of color, creed or race, we are our brother’s keeper, for You unite us in one human family. May our care and concern for the least among us reflect the great love You have for all Your children.

May the love of the armies of Heaven overwhelm and overpower the weapons of man, in hopes that all of us may one day live together in true and lasting peace.  Help us to seek the intercession of Our Lady, Mother of Perpetual Help and Queen of Peace. 

May every road we travel lead us to You and to new pathways for peace and understanding.  

Hear and answer all the prayers that we offer now and always through Jesus Christ Our Lord.  Amen.     

I have been looking for suggestions to make to you for charities providing direct support to those most affected and afflicted by this conflict.  The best I can offer you so far is Catholic Relief Services who promise to use donations so that “with your gift, families affected by violence in the Holy Land will receive assistance.” 

On Wednesday November 8th all are invited to the Capitol Grounds in downtown Lansing for the first Michigan March for Life.  There is Mass at the Cathedral at 9:30am.  A Rally on the Capitol steps at 11am and the March begins at Noon.  

You’d have to leave early and be prepared to walk some distance as parking may be an issue.  The Capitol Building is located at 100 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI  48933.  

Jackson Right to Life has 20 seats left on their motor coach for a $10 per seat.  The bus leaves from Lumen Christi at 9am and will return by 4pm.  Call Kathy at 517.262.4746 to reserve your seat or e-mail info@jacksonforlife.org.  ONLY those who have reserved their seat should pay at www.jacksonforlife.org/donate, otherwise you’re just making a donation – one which would be greatly appreciated.  Those on the Jackson bus will NOT be attending the Cathedral Mass.  

Why now?  You may be asking yourself that, especially since Roe v Wade was overturned.  The answer is simple.  Proposal 3.  It passed.  The right to an abortion is now completely unrestricted in Michigan.  Tourists come here from other states to end their pregnancies.  That’s why we march.  That’s why the battle has only just begun. 

Jesus, Protect and Save the Unborn.  

Come join us in the school cafeteria for the Halloween party on Tuesday the 31st and then be prepared to come back on Wednesday November 1st for a Holy Day Obligation to honor All Saints Day.  There will be Mass at Queens this Wednesday November 1st at 6:45am, 9:00am and 5:30pm.  See other Mass times for local parishes in the bulletin.  There is NO Wednesday holy hour this Wednesday evening.

All Saints Day is followed by All Souls Day on November 2nd.  We choose the weekend closest to that date to have our annual Mass of Remembrance to honor those who have passed from this life and been buried from Queens since this time last year.  We will call the names of those who had funeral Masses here and their family will be invited to light a candle at the Blessed Mother altar.  Then we will allow anyone who is grieving to do the same.  All are welcome to place names of the faithful departed in the Book of Remembrance and those will be prayed for at all of our November Masses.  

Just a reminder, the Piano Man of the MacDonald Clan is coming to Queens on Sunday November 5th at 3pm.  This dedication concert for the new Steinway Grand is free and open to the public.  Come have a listen to what my dad and this piano can do!  

‘PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM’ (Ps. 122:6).

Fr. Tim MacDonald

Pastor

Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church

606 S. Wisner St.  Jackson, Michigan 49203

(517) 783-2748  www.queenschurch.com