day thirty-six

We give You thanks today, O God, for the example of St. Francis of Assisi that animates the work of the Casa.  Francis walked the world fully engaged in preaching, healing, laboring, and reconciling.  But he also spent up to half of each year in quiet and secluded places practicing silence and prayer.  In his example, may we find a balance of action and contemplation in our lives.

day thirty-five

We give You thanks today, O God, for the places at the Casa that encourage prayer and reflection: the St. Clare Blessed Sacrament Chapel, the Meditation Chapel, the Healing Garden, the labyrinth, the Guadalupe Shrine, the desert walk, and the Church of Our Lady of the Angels.

day thirty-four

We give You thanks today, O God, for the Casa's dedication to contemplative prayer.  Silent retreats, days of prayer, and prayer groups have taught people to turn off the distracting thoughts that constantly run through their minds and listen in silence to your voice.

day thirty-three

We give You thanks today, O God, for the peaceful atmosphere that pervades the Casa even when it is at its busiest.  Though it now sits in the midst of a large and noisy city and traffic roars past its front drive, the Casa, through your grace, is able to offer quiet respite to anyone who walks onto its grounds.

day thirty-two

We give You thanks today, O God, for the wise and inspiring retreat leaders who have served the Casa so well for so many years: clergy, religious, and lay people.  They have given voice in so many various ways to Your loving call to conversion.

day thirty-one

We give You thanks today, O God,

for the retreats that have been held at the Casa since it opened in January 1952. In the past 60 years, thousands of people have spent days, weeks, and months at the Casa renewing their relationships with You and finding strength for their journeys.

week 6

 

In celebration of the Casa’s 60th Anniversary, we pray in thanksgiving for all of its healing ministries. In a world troubled by sickness, pain, sadness, depression, addiction, betrayal, and alienation, may the Casa continue to be a refuge of hope for those who suffer.

This week, in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Franciscan Renewal Center, we remember all of the ways in which it serves as a place of retreat and solitude in a busy world.

day thirty

We give You thanks today, O God, for all of the people at the Casa who perform small acts of healing just by their presence: those who welcome strangers with a smile, those who listen when someone needs to talk, those who offer kind words, those who introduce friends and acquaintances to the Casa. In their kindness, they are the face of Christ.

day twenty-nine

We give You thanks today, O God, for what the Casa has done to reconcile people with the Church and to introduce a life of faith to people who had none. We are grateful, in particular, for the Casa’s Catholics Can Come Home and RCIA and ministries and for the work of the Casa’s priests and spiritual directors.

day twenty-eight

We give You thanks today, O God, for the many support groups that have gathered at the Casa over the years. In each of them, wounded people have come together to heal one another. They have discovered that even in their own suffering they can be ministers.

day twenty-seven

We give You thanks today, O God, for the healing power of the Sacraments celebrated at the Casa: Eucharist and Reconciliation that offer forgiveness and transformation; Baptism and Confirmation that initiate people into a new family and a new way of being; and Anointing of the Sick that is the ointment of mercy. In each sacrament, we experience the living Christ, the physician of our souls and bodies.

day twenty-six

We give You thanks today, O God, for the Casa’s ministers to the sick and dying who bring the Holy Eucharist to those suffering in homes and hospitals. In their sensitive and prayerful service they carry the spirit of the community’s Sunday liturgy to those isolated by their illnesses.

day twenty-five

We give You thanks today, O God, for the Casa’s hundreds of professional counselors who have tirelessly volunteered their time to give people the means to heal from life’s pains. They actively participate in God’s work by responding to those reaching out with hope for consolation.

week five

In celebration of the Casa’s 60th Anniversary, we pray for another holy and peaceful Advent season for our community. Help us to be open to transformation and adaptable to changes that unsettle us. Make us ready, Lord, for Christ’s constant coming into our lives.

This week, in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Franciscan Renewal Center, we remember all of its healing ministries that have given hope to so many people.

day twenty-four

We give You thanks today, O God, for the peacefulness of Advent at the Casa. Let this peace flow through us and envelop the busyness that the world would impose on us. As the days have grown shorter with darkness, help us to look forward in anticipation for the great feast of light: Christmas.

day twenty-three

We give You thanks today, O God, that the Casa community has always had the ability to express its faith in new words and new songs. As our liturgical language changes this month, help us to adapt and respond to Your word with new ears and new voices.

day twenty-two

We give You thanks today, O God, that the Casa has taught us to remain alert and watchful for the coming of Christ. Teach us, O God, to prepare the way of the Lord in all of our encounters with others and in everything we do.

day twenty-one

We give You thanks today, O God, for the perseverance of the Casa community in the midst of upheaval and change in both the Church and the world. Help our faithfulness to You and to one another be the antidote to anger, frustration and disappointment.

day twenty

We give You thanks today, O God, for the constant call to conversion that we have heard at the Casa. We pray that we remain willing to change our hearts so that we might come closer and closer each day to being fully transformed into holiness by Your divinity.

day nineteen

We give You thanks today, O God, for the opportunities we have at the Casa to grow into the likeness of your Son. We are especially grateful this week for the presence of Jessie Manibusan who is presenting our community mission. Inspire him to speak the truth of your Gospel and make us open to listening.