Take Time to Pray

The Rosary is an ancient, beautiful, and powerful prayer of devotion to God through devotion to Mary by means of a series of prayers and meditations on the life of Jesus and Mary. In it we find all that life offers: pains and joys, but also always the hope that only a loving, protecting, saving Father can truly give. The Rosary is a prayer of hope. Pray a virtual Rosary

Children Learn To Pray - This site offers help for anyone who supports children in their prayers and thus in the beginnings of their relationship with God.

Readings and Psalms for the Month - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website offers Daily Mass Readings.

† Prayer For Peace Among Nations

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,
guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth,
and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

cf The Roman Missal, c. 1973 ICEL

The Great Commandment

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 
with all your soul,
with all your strength,
and with all your mind,
and your neighbor as yourself."

The Ten Commandments

1. I am the Lord your God. 
   You shall not have strange gods before me.
      Put God first in your life before all things.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
   Respect God's name and holy things. Do not use bad language

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.
   Take part in the Mass on Sundays and holy days.
   Avoid unnecessary work on these days.

4. Honor your father and your mother.
   Obey and show respect to parents and others who are responsible for you.

5. You shall not kill.
   Do not hurt yourself or others. Take care of all life.

6. You shall not commit adultery.
   Show respect for marriage and family life. Respect your body and the bodies of others.

7. You shall not steal.
   Respect creation and the things that belong to others. Do not cheat.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
   Tell the truth. Do not gossip.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.
   Be faithful to family members and friends. Do not be jealous.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.
    Share what you have. Do not envy what other people have. Do not be greedy.

† Moral Practices

† Examination of Conscience

Before celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, 
take the time to examine your conscience.

1.	Look at your life. Compare your actions, and choices you have made, with the Ten Commandments.
2.	Ask yourself these questions:
	When have I not done what God wants me to do? Whom have I hurt? What have I done that I knew was wrong? What have I not done that I should have done? Are there serious sins I did not mention the last time I confessed? Have I done penance? Have I tried as hard as I could to make up for past sins? Have I changed my bad habits? Am I sincerely sorry for all my sins?
3.	In addition to confessing your sins, you may want to talk to the priest about one or more of the above questions.
4.	Pray for the Holy Spirit's help to change and start over.

Examination of Conscience for Kids

† The Act of Contrition

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.

In choosing to do wrong
and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.

I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.

Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.

† Receiving Communion

• Approach the Priest or Eucharist Minister, bow before the host.  The Priest or Eucharist Minister will say, "The Body of Christ." You say, "Amen."  Place your writing hand underneath your other hand, accept the host, step to the side and place the host on your tongue.

• In receiving from the chalice, approach the Priest or Eucharist Minister, bow before the chalice. The Priest or Eucharist Minister will say, "The Blood of Christ." You say, "Amen."

• Return to your pew and sit. There is no standing or kneeling. Sitting is also a prayerful posture. As a sign of our joy and unity, sing throughout the reception of Communion. After all have received, there will be a period of silence for private thanksgiving.

For those who are physically unable to kneel or stand, sitting is always appropriate. These procedures may vary a bit from parish to parish. Follow the local custom.

† First Communion Parent Prayer

Lord, give us the wisdom and the courage to help our children as you would … 
to develop in them a Christ-like love for all people … 
to nurture in them a desire to give and not simply to take … 
to teach them to be doers of Your Holy Word. 

Guide us in our parental responsibilities;
strengthen our love as a family
so that we may work together in coming closer to You.

May we be the expression of Your love to our children
so that each day will be as today … 
Your love received and shared … 
to help us be one in the Body of Christ. 

Amen.

† Computer Prayer

LORD who lives beyond data
yet who is all knowing,
we ask Your blessing.

Bless our machines and their programs,
their ordered manner of accumulating and storing,
    the speed with which they enable us,
    the style and type that they offer.

But save us from machine-like routine,
help us not to move so fast
as to miss what is important.

May our computers free us from data-slavery:
 to be more aware of opportunities
       to serve people,
       to enjoy creation,
       to be Church.

Teach us right relationships:
      Creator to creations,
      God to people, people to God
     people to machines, machines to people.
Help us to be good stewards of our creations.

LORD, who lives beyond data
yet who is all-knowing,
we ask Your blessing.

Amen.

Courtesy ParishSOFT with acknowledgement: Ministry Data Services

A Family Prayer

God made us a family.
   We need one another.
   We help one another.
   We love one another.
   We play together.
   We work together.
   We celebrate together.
   We praise God together.
Thank you, God, for our special family.
Amen

Shared from St. Paul's Catholic School
105 St. Paul St., Sellersburg, IN