Gracious and Loving Father,
we thank you for the richness of our faith
in your Son Jesus.
We recognize how a personal relationship with
Him changes everything in our lives.
We praise you for all the beauty that surronds us,
and for the grace that you pour into our hearts.
It is your grace that sustains and
fuels our mission
to continue to Unleash the Gospel
in the world around us.
We ask you to heighten our spiritual senses,
that we may be your hands and feet
to everyone we encounter,
that they might encounter you
through our love and acts of service.
We humbly ask you to increase
a spirit of generosity in each of our hearts,
that we might support the many good works
of the Archdiocese of Detroit
through this year's Catholic Services Appeal.
Help us more deeply understand
and live out these words of St. Peter,
"As each has received a gift,
use it to serve one another,
as good stewards of God's varied grace."
May we see it as an honor and privilege
to serve your people,
as we continue to be a bright city on a hill;
a joyful band of missionary disciples
in southeast Michigan.
We ask all of these things
in the mighty name of your Son, Jesus
who leads and guides all of our efforts.
Amen.
Whenever anyone wants to know where it is best to give to benefit the parish, or asks about giving to Christmas, or wants direction when giving with an IRA or RMD, I would like to share this.