LEAVES Website for January-February 2023 Issue
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb.11. Our Lady appeared for the first time to St. Bernadette Soubirous on Feb. 11, 1858 at Lourdes, France. In a grotto, Bernadette saw a Lady dressed in white and prayed the rosary with her. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to St. Bernadette.
Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. A spring of healing waters appeared at the grotto where the apparitions occurred. These waters draw millions of pilgrims each year even to this day.
Our Lady of Lourdes is the patron saint of bodily ills. Many healing miracles have been attributed to her intercession. We all know people who suffer ailments, so many within our own LEAVES family, even.
Let us petition Our Lady on behalf of all those who are hurting. In imitation of St. Bernadette, we might pray a decade of the rosary, ending with: Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us! St. Bernadette, pray for us!
Feb. 11, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, has become a worldwide day of prayer for the sick and suffering and for those who care for them. Let us pray: Our Lady of Lourdes, please come to the assistance of all those who are suffering. Amen.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. This is a reminder that we are called to perform penitential practices during the Lenten season, including fasting and abstinence. In addition to “giving up” things, we should increase our prayer life and exercise charitable endeavors of almsgiving and service to others.
The liturgical year is divided into seasons and Ordinary Time. The seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter offer opportunities to renew our commitment to our spiritual life. Just as a new year prompts us to put resolutions to paper, so too should a new liturgical season encourage us to list what we should do in order to draw closer to our Lord.
As we begin this Lenten season, let us take some time to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. Are there things in our lives that impede us to live faithfully? Do we already have routines that celebrate our Faith that might be increased?
As you journey through this Lent, know that our prayers go with you. May you feel the presence of the Lord our God in a special way and may God grant you abundant blessings in Lent and always – Fr. Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
Rest in Peace
Fr. Timothy Mock, CMM
Fr. Timothy Mock, CMM, passed away from this life on Sept. 12, 2022, at the age of 96. He served as managing editor of LEAVES from 1984-1992, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the waning health of Fr. Anthony Kirschner, CMM, editor in chief, he also performed his responsibilities.
Fr. Timothy was born on Aug. 6, 1926, in Aberdeen, SD. He professed first religious vows in Mariannhill in 1946 and was ordained a priest on May 25. 1952. May he now rest in peace in the presence of God.
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
In Love with St. Therese
My story begins with falling in love with St. Therese’s soul while reading A Story of a Soul in college. I was struck by her faith and sweetness, and I couldn’t help but to ask St. Therese to ask God that I may someday meet a woman like that for marriage, if this was to be His will.
My “miracle” did not happen overnight – it took years – but I believe that God and St. Therese answered those prayers. The first meeting with who was to be my future wife, I recalled my prayer and had that inner affirmation that she was the one for whom I had been praying.
Would you believe, on our honeymoon we went to Lisieux in France (on a pilgrimage!). We saw her home, her convent. What a joy!
In thanksgiving to St. Therese, we named our daughter after her. She loves St. Therese, too! – Rick.
Grandson Is a Blessing
My donation is in thanksgiving for a favor received through the intercession of St. Anne. I am attempting to adopt my grandson. His parents, who both suffer from severe substance abuse issues and had abandoned this child, maliciously decided to oppose my petition for adoption.
In the end, the child’s mother did decide to voluntarily terminate her parental rights, but the father, who is my son, still refused. There was a trial and I sadly discovered my son’s addiction was far greater than I had realized, but I have no doubt of my ultimate success with my adoption petition.
My grandson is a true blessing in my life. I just pray now that I will live long enough and well enough to see him to adulthood. He is almost nine years old. I do have some health issues, but I will continue to work to keep him in Catholic schools.
My grandson is smart, sensitive, helpful and generous. He is my “Amen” in my twilight years from our heavenly Father. Thank you all for your prayers! – G.E.
Priest Delivers
Miraculous Medal
My friend wears a very large, blue miraculous medal. Since hers shows how much she loves Our Lady, I asked in prayer for one exactly like hers. A visiting priest came to the Catholic senior residence where I live. Without telling him about my desire, Father mentioned that he would bring a medal to me next time he visited.
I was hoping that it would be a Miraculous Medal exactly like my friend’s, and it was! Our Lady knows our heart’s desires and fulfills them.
We are so blessed to have priests who bring us so many holy things, especially the gift of the Mass with the Eucharist, the other sacraments and the sacramentals – Marylyn V.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
I am asking for prayers for my daughter who lost her job of 34 years. Obtaining another position is extremely difficult. I am asking Our Lady, and all the saints and angels to send guidance and assistance to her as so much is connected to the job loss, including income, health insurance, etc. Please include Angela and her intentions in your prayers. May the special saints, Ss. Anthony and Therese the Little Flower and Bl. Engelmar be at her side. With many thanks – Christa.
+ + +
Please let the right buyer come along so I can sell my home in the country. I need the money to pay bills. Please let Fr. Engelmar look for the right buyer and price for my home. Please pray for us – Name Withheld.
+ + +
I am writing for my mother Ellen who prays to Fr. Engelmar almost every day. She wanted me to ask you to pray to Father too, that her granddaughter Nicole will get a good job after having graduated from college with a degree in psychology. I am mailing this donation for this and also for peace in our family. John has been abandoned by his mother many times and he has helped her all her life. Pray for him too. Thank you – Ellen & Helen.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer for World
Day of the Sick
Hear our prayer, Oh God, and heal the many illnesses that afflict us in body, mind and soul. Bring comfort to those who suffer. Bring consolation to those who despair. Bring strength to those of us who walk with the sick. Bring hope to all for whom the path to healing is long or may not end. Let us never forget your special care for the sick, that they may also know they are precious and loved. Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Prayer
Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to your people. Through her example and prayers may we learn to express our love for you in love for our fellow men and women. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
[St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, 1774-1821, was the first American-born saint to be canonized. She was a convert to Catholicism and founded the Sisters of Charity in the U.S. The Church celebrates her feast day on Jan. 4.]
Child of Mine
By Lanette Kissel
I formed and created you.
You are My design.
There is no one quite like you,
beautiful child of Mine.
You’ll come to know the benefit
of My love divine,
always generously bestowed upon
a beautiful child of Mine.
You know you have nothing to fear.
Everything will be fine.
You will stay safe within My embrace,
treasured child of Mine.
Awareness
By Margaret Peterson
My thoughts flow lightly under God’s.
New sentiments come stealing.
I, all at once, am glad for hurts
So I may know His healing.
Our Infant of Prague
By Lily Fidelis
Infant Savior, God in Christ,
Holding the world in a child’s grasp,
The world should want for nothing.
Yet it does not know you,
Neglecting to seek you,
And often forgets you,
Child of God’s love.
Infant Savior, God in child,
Longing fills eyes that are saddened,
By love that is forgotten.
Yet a cross stays balanced
Upon a globe of blue,
And a blessing extends
From a royal hand.
Infant Savior, God in king,
Loneliness makes a crown heavy;
Distant are hearts who adore.
Yet I can love you more,
And by loving you, share
In holding up the weight
Of Christ’s cross of love.
Infant Savior, God in love,
Loving arms reach out to be held;
An infant longs for you.
Yet often we fail Him
While seeking forgiveness.
In longing contrition
Let us return to Him,
Our Infant of Prague.
[Jan. 14 the Church celebrates the feast day for the Infant Jesus of Prague. He is the patron of children, family life, missions and those facing financial concerns.]
My Prayer
Father so merciful
Father so kind
Father so faithful
Father Divine
Send your Spirit from above
To fill me with your perfect love
Keep me, your child, in your care
Help me to carry the burdens I must bear
Hold me close to your tender heart
Let nothing ever keep us apart
For you alone are my strength and my joy
The light that shines in the darkest night
My heavenly Father, my one true delight
In times of trouble when things go wrong
I will worship you with a song
All praise, all glory and honor be
Yours Father mine
Forever and ever until the end of time. Amen.
Your loving daughter, Linda
Excerpted from “Leaflets” column:
The Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb.11. Our Lady appeared for the first time to St. Bernadette Soubirous on Feb. 11, 1858 at Lourdes, France. In a grotto, Bernadette saw a Lady dressed in white and prayed the rosary with her. The Blessed Virgin Mary appeared 18 times to St. Bernadette.
Mary identified herself as the Immaculate Conception. A spring of healing waters appeared at the grotto where the apparitions occurred. These waters draw millions of pilgrims each year even to this day.
Our Lady of Lourdes is the patron saint of bodily ills. Many healing miracles have been attributed to her intercession. We all know people who suffer ailments, so many within our own LEAVES family, even.
Let us petition Our Lady on behalf of all those who are hurting. In imitation of St. Bernadette, we might pray a decade of the rosary, ending with: Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us! St. Bernadette, pray for us!
Feb. 11, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, has become a worldwide day of prayer for the sick and suffering and for those who care for them. Let us pray: Our Lady of Lourdes, please come to the assistance of all those who are suffering. Amen.
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22. This is a reminder that we are called to perform penitential practices during the Lenten season, including fasting and abstinence. In addition to “giving up” things, we should increase our prayer life and exercise charitable endeavors of almsgiving and service to others.
The liturgical year is divided into seasons and Ordinary Time. The seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter offer opportunities to renew our commitment to our spiritual life. Just as a new year prompts us to put resolutions to paper, so too should a new liturgical season encourage us to list what we should do in order to draw closer to our Lord.
As we begin this Lenten season, let us take some time to reflect on our relationship with the Lord. Are there things in our lives that impede us to live faithfully? Do we already have routines that celebrate our Faith that might be increased?
As you journey through this Lent, know that our prayers go with you. May you feel the presence of the Lord our God in a special way and may God grant you abundant blessings in Lent and always – Fr. Thomas Heier, C.M.M.
Rest in Peace
Fr. Timothy Mock, CMM
Fr. Timothy Mock, CMM, passed away from this life on Sept. 12, 2022, at the age of 96. He served as managing editor of LEAVES from 1984-1992, but in the late 1980s and early 1990s, during the waning health of Fr. Anthony Kirschner, CMM, editor in chief, he also performed his responsibilities.
Fr. Timothy was born on Aug. 6, 1926, in Aberdeen, SD. He professed first religious vows in Mariannhill in 1946 and was ordained a priest on May 25. 1952. May he now rest in peace in the presence of God.
Excerpted from “Our Family Album”:
In Love with St. Therese
My story begins with falling in love with St. Therese’s soul while reading A Story of a Soul in college. I was struck by her faith and sweetness, and I couldn’t help but to ask St. Therese to ask God that I may someday meet a woman like that for marriage, if this was to be His will.
My “miracle” did not happen overnight – it took years – but I believe that God and St. Therese answered those prayers. The first meeting with who was to be my future wife, I recalled my prayer and had that inner affirmation that she was the one for whom I had been praying.
Would you believe, on our honeymoon we went to Lisieux in France (on a pilgrimage!). We saw her home, her convent. What a joy!
In thanksgiving to St. Therese, we named our daughter after her. She loves St. Therese, too! – Rick.
Grandson Is a Blessing
My donation is in thanksgiving for a favor received through the intercession of St. Anne. I am attempting to adopt my grandson. His parents, who both suffer from severe substance abuse issues and had abandoned this child, maliciously decided to oppose my petition for adoption.
In the end, the child’s mother did decide to voluntarily terminate her parental rights, but the father, who is my son, still refused. There was a trial and I sadly discovered my son’s addiction was far greater than I had realized, but I have no doubt of my ultimate success with my adoption petition.
My grandson is a true blessing in my life. I just pray now that I will live long enough and well enough to see him to adulthood. He is almost nine years old. I do have some health issues, but I will continue to work to keep him in Catholic schools.
My grandson is smart, sensitive, helpful and generous. He is my “Amen” in my twilight years from our heavenly Father. Thank you all for your prayers! – G.E.
Priest Delivers
Miraculous Medal
My friend wears a very large, blue miraculous medal. Since hers shows how much she loves Our Lady, I asked in prayer for one exactly like hers. A visiting priest came to the Catholic senior residence where I live. Without telling him about my desire, Father mentioned that he would bring a medal to me next time he visited.
I was hoping that it would be a Miraculous Medal exactly like my friend’s, and it was! Our Lady knows our heart’s desires and fulfills them.
We are so blessed to have priests who bring us so many holy things, especially the gift of the Mass with the Eucharist, the other sacraments and the sacramentals – Marylyn V.
Excerpted from Blessed Engelmar Testimonies:
A Life of
Blessed Engelmar
There is now available a booklet of the life of Blessed Engelmar Unzeitig, C.M.M. You may receive a free copy of it by sending a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
I am asking for prayers for my daughter who lost her job of 34 years. Obtaining another position is extremely difficult. I am asking Our Lady, and all the saints and angels to send guidance and assistance to her as so much is connected to the job loss, including income, health insurance, etc. Please include Angela and her intentions in your prayers. May the special saints, Ss. Anthony and Therese the Little Flower and Bl. Engelmar be at her side. With many thanks – Christa.
+ + +
Please let the right buyer come along so I can sell my home in the country. I need the money to pay bills. Please let Fr. Engelmar look for the right buyer and price for my home. Please pray for us – Name Withheld.
+ + +
I am writing for my mother Ellen who prays to Fr. Engelmar almost every day. She wanted me to ask you to pray to Father too, that her granddaughter Nicole will get a good job after having graduated from college with a degree in psychology. I am mailing this donation for this and also for peace in our family. John has been abandoned by his mother many times and he has helped her all her life. Pray for him too. Thank you – Ellen & Helen.
Novena in Honor of
Abbot Francis Pfanner
Abbot Francis Pfanner founded Mariannhill Monastery, and 100 years ago its monks became the Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill. He was not only a great missionary, but also a holy man. The cause for his beatification has begun. We have available a novena in his honor and will send you a free copy of it when you send a stamped (postage for one ounce), self-addressed envelope to us at: LEAVES, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48121-0087.
Prayer for World
Day of the Sick
Hear our prayer, Oh God, and heal the many illnesses that afflict us in body, mind and soul. Bring comfort to those who suffer. Bring consolation to those who despair. Bring strength to those of us who walk with the sick. Bring hope to all for whom the path to healing is long or may not end. Let us never forget your special care for the sick, that they may also know they are precious and loved. Amen.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Prayer
Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to your people. Through her example and prayers may we learn to express our love for you in love for our fellow men and women. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.
[St. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton, 1774-1821, was the first American-born saint to be canonized. She was a convert to Catholicism and founded the Sisters of Charity in the U.S. The Church celebrates her feast day on Jan. 4.]
Child of Mine
By Lanette Kissel
I formed and created you.
You are My design.
There is no one quite like you,
beautiful child of Mine.
You’ll come to know the benefit
of My love divine,
always generously bestowed upon
a beautiful child of Mine.
You know you have nothing to fear.
Everything will be fine.
You will stay safe within My embrace,
treasured child of Mine.
Awareness
By Margaret Peterson
My thoughts flow lightly under God’s.
New sentiments come stealing.
I, all at once, am glad for hurts
So I may know His healing.
Our Infant of Prague
By Lily Fidelis
Infant Savior, God in Christ,
Holding the world in a child’s grasp,
The world should want for nothing.
Yet it does not know you,
Neglecting to seek you,
And often forgets you,
Child of God’s love.
Infant Savior, God in child,
Longing fills eyes that are saddened,
By love that is forgotten.
Yet a cross stays balanced
Upon a globe of blue,
And a blessing extends
From a royal hand.
Infant Savior, God in king,
Loneliness makes a crown heavy;
Distant are hearts who adore.
Yet I can love you more,
And by loving you, share
In holding up the weight
Of Christ’s cross of love.
Infant Savior, God in love,
Loving arms reach out to be held;
An infant longs for you.
Yet often we fail Him
While seeking forgiveness.
In longing contrition
Let us return to Him,
Our Infant of Prague.
[Jan. 14 the Church celebrates the feast day for the Infant Jesus of Prague. He is the patron of children, family life, missions and those facing financial concerns.]
My Prayer
Father so merciful
Father so kind
Father so faithful
Father Divine
Send your Spirit from above
To fill me with your perfect love
Keep me, your child, in your care
Help me to carry the burdens I must bear
Hold me close to your tender heart
Let nothing ever keep us apart
For you alone are my strength and my joy
The light that shines in the darkest night
My heavenly Father, my one true delight
In times of trouble when things go wrong
I will worship you with a song
All praise, all glory and honor be
Yours Father mine
Forever and ever until the end of time. Amen.
Your loving daughter, Linda