In a few weeks, a group of us will enter three days of silent prayer. From Friday the 14th of November through mid-day on Sunday, the 16th of November, parishioners from SJN will enter into prayer at Ignatius House, the Jesuit retreat house in north Atlanta. Each year, SJN holds a silent retreat at Ignatius House, as one way to bring the power of prayer to the call of renewal... of mind and heart. Please consider joining me on this 14-16 November retreat. Call fellow parishioner Paul Scibona for more information on what this retreat is all about (770-923-8089), or contact the good folks at Ignatius House with questions or with a desire to register ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or 404-255-0503). We can carry about 50 people at each retreat. So, please consider joining me and others in three days of prayer, "giving away" those three days, out of a longing for God's love. It is a joy my friends!
In the Catechism of the Catholic Church, we read the words of the "little flower", St. Thérèse of Lisieux (+1897): "prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and love, embracing both trial and joy (2558)." As she and all the saints have taught us, humility is the foundation of prayer: in trial and in joy, we seek God in songs of praise, in the strength of service and in the silent longings of the heart. We humble ourselves and our wills and seek God above all things, giving ourselves to the "work" of prayer (Matthew 23.12).In a few weeks, a group of us will enter three days of silent prayer. From Friday the 14th of November through mid-day on Sunday, the 16th of November, parishioners from SJN will enter into prayer at Ignatius House, the Jesuit retreat house in north Atlanta. Each year, SJN holds a silent retreat at Ignatius House, as one way to bring the power of prayer to the call of renewal... of mind and heart. Please consider joining me on this 14-16 November retreat. Call fellow parishioner Paul Scibona for more information on what this retreat is all about (770-923-8089), or contact the good folks at Ignatius House with questions or with a desire to register ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or 404-255-0503). We can carry about 50 people at each retreat. So, please consider joining me and others in three days of prayer, "giving away" those three days, out of a longing for God's love. It is a joy my friends!
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Along with the joy of silent prayer comes a renewed dedication to discipleship. In and through our prayer, we hope to accept the Way of Jesus of Nazareth as our way of life. Prayer allows the Spirit within to cut through our illusions and our own sinfulness and ready ourselves for the gift of renewal, re-birth. Prayer and fasting are needed today, as the Church of Christ looks toward the nations of the earth and asks: in God's name, how are you caring for the shared humanity you have been given? As we look to elect secular leaders for every level of government in a couple of weeks, we are called to ask: In God's name, how do we care for and protect this good earth? How do we care for and protect the elderly, the poor? How do we care for and protect those living with the effects of some disability? How does this nation care for and protect the gift of life, from the moment of conception to the last breath of natural life?
We end this month of October, hoping to renew our belief in the sanctity of life. Our Respect Life ministry will be in the Narthex after all the Masses this weekend, to assist you as you study our Bishop's teachings on the issues surrounding the gift of life. Please read through the inserts in this week's and next week's bulletins. Prayer and fasting assist us in forming a conscience that respects and holds dear the blessing of God's revelation... seen fully in the redemptive passion of the Lord Jesus. And it is with this informed conscience that we are to seek the best candidates for government.
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Prayer is also needed in the various ways we live and love as a parish family. Please know that during the months of November and December, I will speak to you through these columns about my plan to re-establish the Pastoral Council of SJN. The soon-to-be-established Pastoral Council will be comprised of twelve parishioners, nine of whom will be selected from the community at large (the other three positions, appointed from staff and from the Finance and Stewardship Councils). I would ask all of you that might have some interest in service to begin to pray... for the re-establishment of the Council and for the gift of humility... that we all may serve one another, as the Lord Jesus showed us in life and in death and in resurrection!
AMDG
Msgr. David Talley
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Helping to fulfill the mission of the church to spread the Gospel by welcoming those interested in becoming Catholic. Sponsors needed to help newcomers, hospitality volunteers needed to help with receptions and social, team members needed to help with catechetical sessions and dismissals.