Browsing the 2021 archive of Deacon Weekly Letter
Dec 26, 2021 Hope when Life is Messy
Posted by David Southworth on 12/16/21
PRAYER: The Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and said “… do not be afraid…”, to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us’”. God IS ... Read More »
Dec 19, 2021 - He is Peace!
Posted by David Southworth on 12/09/21
PRAYER: As we move close to Christmas… we see in our first reading from Micah the prophesy that “one who is to be ruler in Israel whose origin is from of old…” will come from Bethlehem. And “..he shall be peace.” !! Can we read and hear Psalm 80 ... Read More »
Dec 12, 2021 - Joy of Advent
Posted by David Southworth on 12/07/21
PRAYER: Let us do a self- check this 3rd Sunday of Advent…. Where is the JOY in our lives?.... Can we say with Zephaniah: “Shout for joy; O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel?”… Can we hear St Paul’s message to the Philippians: “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the ... Read More »
Dec 5, 2021 - Keep praying!
Posted by David Southworth on 12/01/21
PRAYER: The Diocese held an Advent Clergy Day of reflection for priests and deacons recently that I attended. The speaker was a Dominican priest who spoke of the amazing thing that the Eucharist is! Imagine that our God would enter our human world as Jesus…. And that He would ... Read More »
Nov 28, 2021 - Year of Eucharist
Posted by David Southworth on 11/18/21
PRAYER: Our Bishop, William Byrne writes: “When I was in my early 20s, before I ever seriously considered entering the seminary, I stopped into a small chapel on a hot summer’s day. I was looking mostly to escape the heat and maybe find a moment of peace. As I ... Read More »
Nov 21, 2021 - Jesus has got this!
Posted by David Southworth on 11/15/21
PRAYER: On this last Sunday of the Church Year (Advent starts next weekend, Nov 27-28) we focus on Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Let’s fix our minds and hearts on the truth that Jesus is in control of EVERYTHING!... Our priest says in the Preface of ... Read More »
Nov 14, 2021 - keep vision of good and end times!
Posted by David Southworth on 11/10/21
PRAYER: Are we just floating through life… floating aimlessly through our human lives?... Does anything we do matter anyway? As we prepare for the last day of the Church Year, next week, November 21, 2021 – Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe… our scripture readings direct our ... Read More »
Nov 7, 2021 - Joyful People!
Posted by David Southworth on 11/03/21
PRAYER: O Lord, we pray that we may be a joyful people, trusting that the Lord will supply what we need, the flour and the oil, that we may remember that the Lord gives food to the hungry, keeps faith forever. Let us be joyful that Christ will bring ... Read More »
Oct 31, 2021 - Parish Visioning
Posted by David Southworth on 10/27/21
PRAYER: One of our instructors in my Diaconate classes pointed out that we can do ANYTHING we want if we believe what Moses says in our reading from Deuteronomy and Jesus repeats in our reading from Mark today: “We love the Lord our God with all our heart, with ... Read More »
Oct 24, 2021 - AA meetings support
Posted by David Southworth on 10/27/21
PRAYER: I intentionally start this weekly reflection with PRAYER. As Christians we always start with prayer (as well as continuing with prayer and finishing with prayer). “Pray and Work” is St Benedict’s guide to a happy healthy monastery. It’s also the best way to a happy and healthy personal ... Read More »