Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Dear joy netters, Edychettans article regarding the need of prayer for priests, stirred my memories. May be I also felt a little heaviness in my heart same as josun. Yes priests are the wonderful gift from god. Whenever I remember our dearest palliyachan I used to thank god for his beautiful gift of priest hood. There is no doubt that we should pray for them and love them so that our prayers and love make them strong. In my child hood I had very strong desire to become a priest. But gods plan was different and now I am a married man. I lost my father when I was 5 years old. So I dont have too much memories of my father. But my mother used to say that my parents had a great desire to make me a priest. One of my childhood play was enacting the priest and saying the mass by collecting my friends. When I was in second slandered my class teacher asked us that what we like to going to become. I said I want to become a priest. Then she was happy and she encouraged me. Even all my relatives and neighbors believed that I would become a priest one day. But when I entered into teenage I found the sexual urge with in me and realized that I am unworthy to the holy priesthood. After my 10th std. My mother asked me whether I want to join seminary, I said no and give the reason that I want to take the responsibility of my mother and younger sister. Yes these are all my old stories. After my marriage I said to my wife that we must have 4-5 children and let us start the prayer that some of our children May become consecrated for god. God plans everything. We can only hope for. Till now we are waiting for a child. We are sure in his time god will give us children. You know regarding the parents of little flower? St.Teresas father martin was an ex- seminarian. Her mother celine was also a convent return. Martin and Celine had a great desire for religious life. But gods decision was deferent. One of their children becomes a great saint in the church. Same case is regarding St.Francis of Assisi. His mother pica had a strong desire for religious life. But her parents didnt allow her for such a life and she happened to be married to Bernardine, a merchant. But her son Francis entered into religious life and still now he is giving inspiration to thousands of people in the world. So let us pray that our Jesus youth families be grow in holiness, so that not only it produce vocation but also offer little saints for our church. May god bless you all Your brother in Jesus Nelson Abel Turaif, Saudi Arabia. _ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
RE: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Hello! When I read Eddy chettan's mail it was wake up call for me. Now I make a point to pray for the priests. Ever since Josun put his feedback on this issue I wanted to share my vies in this matter. But then I was a little worried about it as it was a kind of confession I had to make. But after reading Nelson's mail now I feel I should not keep it back. So here is what I got to share in this discussion. I think it was in 1997 when I came to Fujairah that I got a feeling that Jesus was calling me to serve. By then as Josun and Nelson pointed out from their lives I had got into the worldly desires and I reasoned myself that I will not be able to be a good priest. So I ignored it. Then on a Friday this uncle in the church who gives scripture readings came to me and asked if I could do the first reading. I had never done it before but still agreed. I remember the passage I got for reading. It was Isaiah chapter 6 verses 1-8 Isaiah 6 1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high andexalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. 4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. 5 Woe to me! I cried. I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty. 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had takenwith tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me! - As I was reading it out to the congregation and it struck me again that the Lord is calling me for his service, especially when I read the last line Here am I. Send me. I ignored it again and ended up finally as a family man. I am not sad about it but I got to tell you all that family life not all that what you see from the outside, it is tough to live a good and Godly married life with its benefits of being loved and raising up children. I srongly feel that everyone of us should pray also for the youth who are fighting between the call of the world and that of the Lord along with the prayers for priests who got to fight the same battle. I still remember vaguely the lines in some novena of prayer which went Lord protect your calls of the young ( yuva janangalude dhaiva vili kaathukollane). Regards and prayers Abraham Fujairah / UAE. This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Hello friends, I am following with great interest all your thoughts about 'Pray for Priests'. A few of you wrote to me presonally and others to Joynet. Many of them are really touching. Abraham mentions Nelson's mail but I did not see it. My connection was down for a couple of days and may be I missed it. I am also seeking the Lords will to see if we should do something in a more organised way, and if so in what concrete ways. Share your thoughts in that line also. My diocese got into nasty trap early this week. Those of you who watch the media in this area will remember the furore over the 'rain dance' and the TV image of a priest walking around at the tourism promotion fete with a glass. Afterwards I got invoved a little bit to help them sort out the mess, and I said once again we have to PRAY FOR PRIESTS and that too very earnestly. Eddy/Cochin/S. India - Original Message - From: Josh Folks To: JOYnet Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 5:45 PM Subject: RE: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests Hello! When I read Eddy chettan's mail it was wake up call for me. Now I make a point to pray for the priests. Ever since Josun put his feedback on this issue I wanted to share my vies in this matter. But then I was a little worried about it as it was a kind of confession I had to make. But after reading Nelson's mail now I feel I should not keep it back. So here is what I got to share in this discussion. This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Dear brotherssisters in Christ, I was really glad to read the message from Mr. Edward.In the past few months I had also this strong call to Pray for the Priests.especially for our Popehis intentions we should pray daily.We should love, respectpray for all the priest all over the world.It would be a good idea if we choose a particular day of the week so that we can form an intercessory group to pray for this intention.I usually choose Saturday as my special day to pray for this intention coz along with Mother Mary(Whoelse is the best intercessor?. I would strongly advice all out there to read the book Merciful Love to Little Souls by Marguerrete.This contains beautiful messages by OUR LORD to all of us regarding how our attitude should be to all our dear priests Loveprayers. Dr.Jayanthi James,Sihat,Saudi Arabia. From: Edward A. Edezhath [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 03:37:01 +0530 Hello Joynet Friends, I am from Cochin, Kerala, India. These days I am mostly at my parents' house in the village, Kumbalanghi. The evenings are quite relaxed, with a long dip in the pond and sometimes a walk near the river side. At about 9pm I spend quite some time in intercession. I pray for Jesus Youth all over, especially those with responsibilities in it and those who have asked for prayer. I remember Joynetters and many faces in it and it goes on, International JY conference in Canada, the Rex Band trip, etc are uppermost in my mind. But one intention comes back to my mind again and again, that is, the need for urgent prayer for priests. The harvest is plentiful . . . . Pray the Lord of the harvest . . (Mt. 9: 37) Let me share some of my thoughts so that a few of you readers may respond. We have to pray for priests. Priesthood, I believe, is a wonderful invention of the Holy Spirit. I think of many great priests I know, some of them in this network, Joynet. Some Bishops are very close to my heart. I very well know that one priest alive in Spirit is indeed a mighty force for the building up of the Kingdom. All over the world a great number of priests are doing this wonderful work of God, and we have to pray for Priests. I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word (Jn. 17: 20). When I hear about failures in the life of some priest, I again say we have to pray for priests. They are called for a big mission and they have responded. They were set apart and were given support and training. But they are from among us and need our support. While talking to a big group of priests two weeks back, one of them was sharing from his heart, 'Sir, don't forget, we are human. We need your love and support'. We have to pray for priests. I dream of a wide network of people who will love the Church, love the priests and earnestly pray for them. If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask . . . (Mt. 18:19). I can never do the wonderful amount of God's work that any single priest does. (Though sometimes some priests tell us that many of us Jesus Youth do much more than any of them, I believe that our effectiveness comes from our sharing of the work of these priests.) Even if I cannot work like a prist, I can surely have a share of the abundant graces of priesthood by loving and praying for priests. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall recieve a prophet's reward. . . even a cup of cold water . . shall not lose his reward. (Mt. 10:41). I don't have a complete idea, but we must have a network to specifically PRAY FOR PRIESTS. There has to be certain things that (i) each one in this network should do and (ii) certain things they do together as a body of intercessors. (i) Individually, - Daily take time to remember priests with love and pray for them. = I remember priests in general and then specifically think of the priests I know and life them to the Eternal Priest. And then I say a decade of the rosary for them. - Love and respect priest. = I greatly value my relationship with priests. It is a great thing to know a priest. There is an age-old custom of kissing the hand of a priest. At times it is a little embarrassing, but I take great joy in kissing the hand of some of them. - Try not to spread bad news about priesthood rather spread inspirational tidings. - Collaborate in whatever way possible with the good things that priests are doing. and more . . (ii) as a network called PRAY FOR PRIESTS, would some of you like to give some ideas for me. So, do pray for priests, Eddy/Cochin/ India This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Dear Friends, Yes we should pray for the priests. It is our prayers that gives them strength in their works. I would like to share something with my dear joynetters.when i was studying for my first holy communion, Sr. Maggie who taught us used to say that we should always pray for our Pope, Bishops, Priests and Sisters and believe me knowinlgy or unknowingly i used to include them in prayers after my communion till today. In my childhood days i never knew much importance of this pray for the Priests.. but now i know the importance of it.. how much valuable is this one small prayer for them. This is a small prayer for priests from my prayer book which i would like to share : Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, Keep them, for they are Thine - Thy priest whose lives burn out before Thy consecrated shrine. Keep them for they are in the world Though from the world apart, When earthly pleasures tempt, allure - Shelter them in Thy heart. Keep them, confort them in hours Of loneliness and pain When all their life of sacrifice For souls seem but in vain. Keep them, and O remember Lord They have no one but Thee Yet they have only human hearts, With human frailty. Keep them spotless as the Host, That daily, they caress - Their every though and word and deed, Deign, dearest Lord, to bless. Yours in Jesus Christ Biji Thomas Mumbai This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Friends, We should listen to the call of eddy sir. He did it in the right time. Always in time... That's Holy Spirit, its HIS nature. We must pray for priests. with lots of lov prayers smiju joseph, abu dhabi From: Edward A. Edezhath [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests Date: Sun, 12 May 2002 03:37:01 +0530 Hello Joynet Friends, I am from Cochin, Kerala, India. These days I am mostly at my parents' house in the village, Kumbalanghi. The evenings are quite relaxed, with a long dip in the pond and sometimes a walk near the river side. At about 9pm I spend quite some time in intercession. I pray for Jesus Youth all over, especially those with responsibilities in it and those who have asked for prayer. I remember Joynetters and many faces in it and it goes on, International JY conference in Canada, the Rex Band trip, etc are uppermost in my mind. But one intention comes back to my mind again and again, that is, the need for urgent prayer for priests. The harvest is plentiful . . . . Pray the Lord of the harvest . . (Mt. 9: 37) Let me share some of my thoughts so that a few of you readers may respond. We have to pray for priests. Priesthood, I believe, is a wonderful invention of the Holy Spirit. I think of many great priests I know, some of them in this network, Joynet. Some Bishops are very close to my heart. I very well know that one priest alive in Spirit is indeed a mighty force for the building up of the Kingdom. All over the world a great number of priests are doing this wonderful work of God, and we have to pray for Priests. I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word (Jn. 17: 20). When I hear about failures in the life of some priest, I again say we have to pray for priests. They are called for a big mission and they have responded. They were set apart and were given support and training. But they are from among us and need our support. While talking to a big group of priests two weeks back, one of them was sharing from his heart, 'Sir, don't forget, we are human. We need your love and support'. We have to pray for priests. I dream of a wide network of people who will love the Church, love the priests and earnestly pray for them. If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask . . . (Mt. 18:19). I can never do the wonderful amount of God's work that any single priest does. (Though sometimes some priests tell us that many of us Jesus Youth do much more than any of them, I believe that our effectiveness comes from our sharing of the work of these priests.) Even if I cannot work like a prist, I can surely have a share of the abundant graces of priesthood by loving and praying for priests. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall recieve a prophet's reward. . . even a cup of cold water . . shall not lose his reward. (Mt. 10:41). I don't have a complete idea, but we must have a network to specifically PRAY FOR PRIESTS. There has to be certain things that (i) each one in this network should do and (ii) certain things they do together as a body of intercessors. (i) Individually, - Daily take time to remember priests with love and pray for them. = I remember priests in general and then specifically think of the priests I know and life them to the Eternal Priest. And then I say a decade of the rosary for them. - Love and respect priest. = I greatly value my relationship with priests. It is a great thing to know a priest. There is an age-old custom of kissing the hand of a priest. At times it is a little embarrassing, but I take great joy in kissing the hand of some of them. - Try not to spread bad news about priesthood rather spread inspirational tidings. - Collaborate in whatever way possible with the good things that priests are doing. and more . . (ii) as a network called PRAY FOR PRIESTS, would some of you like to give some ideas for me. So, do pray for priests, Eddy/Cochin/ India This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com This mail is generated from JOYnet, a Jesus Youth mailing list. To unsubscribe, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe to this mailing list, visit http://www.jesusyouth.org/joynet For automatic help, send a mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] In case of any issue related to the mailing list contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
Dear friends, I read eddy chettans mail and there's a heaviness I feel in my heart. I don' t know why. I too share the same sentiments with regard to priests. As I've mentioned umpteen times, I'm the eldest of 6 children. My family has been thru a number of good struggles and tough times. We as a family have been very close to priests, infact I remember when I was a kid, the Jesuits, consolata fathers, and salesians we knew, used to vie telling me that I would become a priest!. Even now, our priest friends bring saints stories, rosaries, chocolates, little sacramentals here and there and give it to my brothers and sisters. I've got a large circle of priest friends too. I just love to hang around with them. I spent a lot of time with them. I borrow infinite number of books from them. I Just love talking to them and learning from them. When I need guidance the first people I run to, after my parents are priests. Even to this day people mistake me to be a seminarian. Many sisters, and priests have inadvertently asked me Josun, are u a brother? and my reply would be yes, I'm a brother of 5 mavericks and a potential father also!!. Both my parents have a great love for priests and religious. I remember once back my mother sharing with all of us: After my parents got married, they planned to have a big family. Daddin and mummy love children a lot. And from the time of their marriage both my parents have been praying for a vocation to priest hood from our family. My parents now have 4 sons and 2 daughters God only knows if any of the sons will become priests. I remember after my first holy communion my parents used to specially take me for mass after my school, and with me in the middle of them both, my mom used to whisper . my child, pray that God calls you to be a holy priest ok Speaking from the human point of view, I don't think this dream of my parents will be fulfilled in me. I'm still praying over my vocation, but now my inclination is toward family life. I told this to my parents and I noticed my moms face fall a bit. Then I told her, mummy please allow me to live my life. please don't thrust your dreams into my life, just becoz u want me to be a priest I won't become one ok I told my parents about the very powerful sex drive that I've got and with that, I don't think its possible to live an entire lifetime of celibacy. My parents still hope that one of their sons will be called by the Lord to Priesthood. Whatever it is, do pray that we do only the will of God ok. Over the past 1 and a half years God has brought a holy priest across my life, and with his guidance I've been able to direct my sex urge to more productive and creative ways. These days by the grace of God, I don't lust after every wayfaring girl I happen to see. I'm not aroused by the posters and dirt that's out there in the world. These days God is helping me to live a holy life. but even still there are times I gratify my lower passions.. But even at those times, I don't lust after any woman in particular.its only out of that terrible feeling of loneliness. I love to have a big family with a bunch of Kids around me and a woman by my side to love and embrace and share my life with. I love to see children grow and mature. I love to see myself maturing as a parent like my parents still continue to do. After reading eddy chettans mail I don't know my heart is feeling heavy. It still is. Please pray for me. I remember during one of Fr. George Kumblumootils retreat some years back here in Delhi he told us about an incident that took place in kerala. Once there was a certain meeting in which one of the bishops in Kerala was attending. Little by little people started mud slinging and muck smearing on the priests, saying see what this priest is doing, see what that priest is doing etc. and the bishop just asked them. do you want holy priests? and they all echoed in unison YES and the bishop continued coolly Live holy lives and bring up holy children Eddy chetta, count me in this initiative. I do pray for priests, now I'll do it in a more organized manner. I love priests a lot but i don't think i've got what it takes to become one. Jesus Loves you all, Josun Jose/New Delhi/India - Original Message - From: Edward A. Edezhath [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2002 3:37 AM Subject: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests Hello Joynet Friends, I am from Cochin, Kerala, India. These days I am mostly at my parents' house in the village, Kumbalanghi. The evenings are quite relaxed, with a long dip in the pond and sometimes a walk near the river side. At about 9pm I spend quite some time in intercession. I pray for Jesus Youth all over, especially those with responsibilities in it and those who have asked for prayer. I remember Joynetters and many faces in it and it goes on, International JY conference in Canada, the Rex Band trip, etc are uppermost in my mind. But one intention comes back to my mind
Re: [JOYnet] Pray for Priests
yes i think it is necessary that we should spend some time praying for christian priests because they are meant to be the spiritual leaders for lay people and very often the layman doesn't realise that they are also ordinary human beings. they are ordinary ppl just like all of us, who have recieved the calling to lead different lives with sometimes more responsibility than others. the power that is invested in their lives makes them more accountable and gives them greater responsibility. so it is up to us to pray for our leaders. but i don't think that wrong doings of a priest should be covered up just to save the image of a church or a particular denomination. action should be taken. i am not condemning anyone and i am not saying that if a priest does wrong he should be condemned. but it shold be made known. in the past this was not done so that is why such incidences continued. i'm talking here, mainly about the child abuse that many priests have been acused of. sexual child abuse. if this is covered up, who suffers? maybe the church retains its image, but who suffers? the children. innocent children. if such things are made public, and priests are punished in the same way as any human being would be punished if they were caught of the same crime, such incidences would definitely be curbed. like i said earlier, when saying this, i am not condemning anyone. we are all human beings and capable of sin. but when david sinned, even though he was so beloved in God's eyes and even though he was forgiven! , he sufferd teh consequence did'nt he? his child born of sin died. God has given us power but with it, responsiblity too. so if we don't act as responsible children, we will suffer for it. hence just as we pray for our families, friends etc, we should pray sincerely for the leaders that God has chosen for his flock that they will be responsible leaders and lead their lives according tot hte vocation they have chosen and the calling htey have recieved. we should also be responsible toward ourselves and our children, and when such incidences are knon, we should not try and hide it for the sake of our church. the church should not be based on lies. in Jesus sheril daniel grahamstown, south africa Hello Joynet Friends, I am from Cochin, Kerala, India. These days I am mostly at my parents' house in the village, Kumbalanghi. The evenings are quite relaxed, with a long dip in the pond and sometimes a walk near the river side. At about 9pm I spend quite some time in intercession. I pray for Jesus Youth all over, especially those with responsibilities in it and those who have asked for prayer. I remember Joynetters and many faces in it and it goes on, International JY conference in Canada, the Rex Band trip, etc are uppermost in my mind. But one intention comes back to my mind again and again, that is, the need for urgent prayer for priests. The harvest is plentiful . . . . Pray the Lord of the harvest . . (Mt. 9: 37) Let me share some of my thoughts so that a few of you readers may respond. We have to pray for priests. Priesthood, I believe, is a wonderful invention of the Holy Spirit. I think of many great priests I know, some of them in this network, Joynet. Some Bishops are very close to my heart. I very well know that one priest alive in Spirit is indeed a mighty force for the building up of the Kingdom. All over the world a great number of priests are doing this wonderful work of God, and we have to pray for Priests. I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word (Jn. 17: 20). When I hear about failures in the life of some priest, I again say we have to pray for priests. They are called for a big mission and they have responded. They were set apart and were given support and training. But they are from among us and need our support. While talking to a big group of priests two weeks back, one of them was sharing from his heart, 'Sir, don't forget, we are human. We need your love and support'. We have to pray for priests. I dream of a wide network of people who will love the Church, love the priests and earnestly pray for them. If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask . . . (Mt. 18:19). I can never do the wonderful amount of God's work that any single priest does. (Though sometimes some priests tell us that many of us Jesus Youth do much more than any of them, I believe that our effectiveness comes from our sharing of the work of these priests.) Even if I cannot work like a prist, I can surely have a share of the abundant graces of priesthood by loving and praying for priests. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall recieve a prophet's reward. . . even a cup of cold water . . shall not lose his reward. (Mt. 10:41). I don't have a complete idea, but we must have a network to specifically PRAY FOR PRIESTS. There has to be certain things that (i) each one in this network should do and (ii) certain things they
