St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

We, the people, have made our decision. We have elected new leaders at every level of civil government. I urge you to join me in praying for all of our newly elected officials, that the Lord may grant these men and women every blessing, that the Lord may inform their minds and hearts about the needs of the vulnerable, the cry of the poor and the call to work for the common good of all.

***

Here are three important messages for the parish family of SJN, about our call to prayer:

(1) First, please know that a group of parishioners from SJN will join me at Ignatius House next weekend, from 14 – 16 November. In these three days of prayer, we will seek to hear God's Word in the midst of external and interior silence... seeking renewal of mind and heart as disciples of Jesus. If anyone of you reading this column might want to join me on this three-day silent retreat, please contact SJN leader, Paul Scibona (770-923-8089), or the retreat house ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), for more information. We, the people, have made our decision. We have elected new leaders at every level of civil government. I urge you to join me in praying for all of our newly elected officials, that the Lord may grant these men and women every blessing, that the Lord may inform their minds and hearts about the needs of the vulnerable, the cry of the poor and the call to work for the common good of all.

***

Here are three important messages for the parish family of SJN, about our call to prayer:

(1) First, please know that a group of parishioners from SJN will join me at Ignatius House next weekend, from 14 – 16 November. In these three days of prayer, we will seek to hear God's Word in the midst of external and interior silence... seeking renewal of mind and heart as disciples of Jesus. If anyone of you reading this column might want to join me on this three-day silent retreat, please contact SJN leader, Paul Scibona (770-923-8089), or the retreat house ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), for more information.

Prayer is a central discipline for the disciple of the Lord Jesus. Prayer, the relationship with God, in and through an interior dialogue, is the central ingredient of living the life, of living the new Way of redeemed humanity. Jesus of Nazareth prayed. He calls us to follow him in this opening-up-of-the-heart to the mystery of God. Prayer is the instrument of the Holy Spirit, bringing those that seek the Lord into his Presence.

(2) But in addition to the personal holiness that prayer inspires and creates, prayer (that dialogue with the Lord God through the person of Jesus)... brings us to act on the world. This weekend, we will hear from a representative of Catholic Charities at all the Masses. This person will remind us of the call of the Lord, to join the Spirit in creating the Kingdom, one living stone at a time (1 Peter 2:4-5). Prayer allows the spiritual power of the Lord's indwelling love to change our hearts and increase our faith in the new Way of our humanity, the Way of the Lord Jesus. Faith in this new Way of life demands that we work for the good of all (James 2.14-17).

(3) This acting in faith is not only for those "big issues" that Catholic Charities will talk about this weekend. The prayer that inspires a growth in faith will move us to become active parishioners... active members of this parish family. The faith-life we are to live at SJN is not one of passivity... waiting for others to "bring God's love to me". We are called to become that love for one another. One way to live this active faith-life at the parish might be to participate in the soon-to-be-established Pastoral Council of SJN. If you have a desire to offer yourself for service on our Pastoral Council, please fill out an application (seen in this bulletin) and return it to me.

But know that, in addition to this kind of public service (as a member of the Pastoral Council), there are lots of "behind-the-scenes" ways to serve in love. As you seek the Lord in prayer, as your faith is strengthened in the love that prayer creates in you, know that you are to act in faith and love... here and now... for the greater glory of God... and for the good of us all!   


AMDG

Msgr. David Talley

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