A Letter From Our Pastor: Fathers Must Lead Their Families in Prayer

Dear Parishioners,

It was just before 7 on a Wednesday morning, and I was struggling to sing along with Fr. Dox. The words were the familiar Tantum Ergo, but the peppy, upbeat tune he had chosen was unfamiliar to me. As I returned the Blessed Sacrament to the tabernacle, a deep sense of gratitude filled my heart. I was grateful for Jesus’ presence in the Eucharist, for the gift of Fr. Dox who has sacrificed a lot to be here, and for the grace of praying together as brother priests and fellow pilgrims. Wednesday mornings we pray a Holy Hour in the house chapel. We end with Morning Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. This is the first time in three associates that we are making regular, scheduled time to pray together. It has made such a positive difference in our relationship.

If praying together makes such a difference for a couple of brother priests, imagine what it could do for you and your significant other? My brothers, husbands, and fathers, you are the spiritual leaders of your household. You must lead your families in prayer. And you cannot lead your family to a place that you, yourself, are unwilling to go. I am probably busier than most folks, yet my daily schedule includes a full hour of prayer. I can survive about 1 ½ days without quality prayer before the wheels start to come off. I wouldn’t be where I am today (literally and figuratively) if it weren’t for daily prayer.

You’re not going to go run a marathon tomorrow unless you run every day. It took me many years to work up to a daily holy hour. Children should pray the Our Father when they get out of bed in the morning and a Hail Mary before bedtime. Adults and teens should mark out 15 minutes of quality prayer time each day. Make a designated “prayer corner” or “prayer chair,” a place set aside for prayer in your room or home. Say “Grace before Meals” — learn the “Grace after Meals.” Gather the family for bedtime prayer time. Add the Rosary when you’re driving or before bed, especially during this month of October. Perhaps your family could pray a decade a day for the dignity of all human life. Challenge yourself to add more time or try new things. Try Oriens for Advent this year. Ask a friend, or your spouse, to take a Holy Hour with you at the adoration chapel. God wants to bless you. Bow your head and let God shower grace upon you. We are never so tall as when we kneel.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Joel Sember, Pastor

Fr. Joel Sember, Pastor