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A mere Christian friend of mine is starting a new ministry at her church – a prayer ministry. We have discussed it at length this past week while we’ve been doing our daily walks. She is forming groups who will pray for those attending services at her church while the services are going on. I thought that was novel and asked her why do such a thing. “To pray for the visitors and new members that the Spirit would take root in them, to pray for everyone that they get something from sermon, basically just to cover everyone in prayer,” she said. What a contrast that is to our worship where the Mass is prayer. Still, I wonder how many of us consciously pray for new-comers and visitors, or if those intentions are expressed in the prayers of the faithful. Or even for those whose hearts are not touched by faith. The next time you go to Mass you might be standing next to a saint on earth or someone whose faith has become luke warm. Pray for them regardless! And when you get to the Sign of Peace don’t turn to them and say “Howdy!” Greet them with warmth and say, “Peace BE with you!” We are saying in essence “may Christ’s peace abide in you” or “may you know Christ’s peace” or “may you live in Christ’s peace.” That is a tremendous blessing we give each other in four words. Think of that the next time you are at Mass. It is He who is Peace who wants us to share His peace in prayer and action in our parishes. We have numerous opportunities to minister to each other and share Christ’s peace, in smalls ways and big ways. Let’s be mindful of that in our daily lives.

John is cantoring. His wife and I will be singing in the choir. I’ll blog about all that later today when it’s over. I just wanted to share my excitement at participating in a Mass where holy orders will be conferred on someone.

Priests are being transferred to other parishes this month, which means our associate pastor who does a weekly novus ordo Latin Mass will probably be packing up his Graduale Triplex (among other things) and moving on. I’m sad to see him go. He’s been doing the Latin Mass for quite a while but just in the last two months he’s recruited a schola. I am hoping and praying if he leaves we get another young priest who will continue the Latin Mass. If you are local in Northern Virginia and want to attend email me and I’ll give you directions. For the month of June we’ll still having this Mass on Friday evenings at 7:30 pm.

Steve Mattson gives his take over at In Formation. As for me, I am very glad Weakland is sincerely contrite:

Each day I will try to leave room for God to enter into my life more and more. Ultimately I understand that the humanity God so loved and sought to redeem, including my own humanity, will be transformed by his loving embrace and grace.

We must pray for more transformations in the hearts of our leaders. We must also pray for the victims of these scandals, the perpetrators, and all who have lost faith because of them.

but I can’t find Andrew Sullivan’s post to make any additional comments.