Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog VI

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb. 4:16

Welcome in! Our Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog is dedicated to pray for those dear to the heart of Jesus - the homeless, the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten. Also, we pray for all the "poor, suffering and homeless" in our lives.

Who do you know that is crushed, broken, lost, abandoned or hurting? Come, post as many prayer requests as you wish for yourself or others - first names or initials only. Your prayer requests will be printed and presented each day this week at one hour Adoration for the Lord‘s consideration, great mercy and compassion.

Pass it on! Let your family and friends know that even though we are often too busy for much prayer, take a minute here to post prayers; someone will daily pray for each and every request. Please return next Monday or any time this week and post new prayer requests.

Here is how to post a prayer request:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your prayer request in the box at the top of the page.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it heaven’s door.
8. Have faith - about the size of a grain of a mustard seed.

Return tomorrow for the Tuesday Morning Praise Blog! Give thanks to God for His mercy and compassion and for answering prayers for all the "poor" in our lives!
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Generous Poverty, Part II

Continued from yesterday …

by

Saint Leo the Great

When the apostle Peter was on his way up to the temple and was asked for alms by the lame man, he replied: “Silver and gold I have not; but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk.” What is more sublime than this humility? And what could be richer than this poverty? Though Peter cannot assist with money, he can confer gifts of nature. With a word Peter brought healing to the man who had been lame from birth; he who did not give a coin with the emperor's image refashioned the image of Jesus in this man.

And by the riches of this treasure, not only did he help the man who recovered the power to walk, but also five thousand others who believed the preaching of the apostle because of this miraculous cure. Thus Peter, who in his poverty had no money to give to the beggar, bestowed such a bounty of divine grace that in restoring to health the feet of one man, he healed the hearts of many thousands of believers. He had found all of them lame; but he made them leap for joy in Christ.

Saint Leo the Great completed a series of ninety-six sermons which still exist today, on matters of theology, faith and morals, clarifying the doctrine of the Incarnation, and eloquent commentaries opposing the heresies of his time. In 452, Attila and his Huns invaded Italy and were about to attack defenseless Rome when he was met at the gates by Leo. In this face-to-face meeting with Leo, Attila was dissuaded from destroying the city.

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Generous Poverty, Part I

by

Saint Leo the Great

It cannot be doubted that the poor can more easily attain the blessing of humility than those who are rich. In the case of the poor, the lack of worldly goods is often accompanied by a quiet gentleness, whereas the rich are more prone to arrogance. Nevertheless, many wealthy people are disposed to use their abundance not to swell their own pride but to perform works of benevolence. They consider their greatest gain what they spend to alleviate the distress of others.

This virtue is open to all men, no matter what their class or condition because all can be equal in their willingness to give, however unequal they may be in earthly fortune. Indeed, their inequality in regard to worldly means is unimportant, provided they are found equal in spiritual possessions. Blessed, therefore, is that poverty which is not trapped by the love of temporal things and does not seek to be enriched by worldly wealth, but desires rather to grow rich in heavenly goods.

The apostles were the first after the Lord himself to provide us with an example of this generous poverty, when they all equally left their belongings at the call of the heavenly master. By an immediate conversion they were turned from the catching of fish to become fishers of men, and by their own example they won many others to the imitation of their own faith. In these first sons of the Church there was but one heart and one soul among all who believed. Abandoning all their worldly property and possessions in their dedicated poverty, they were enriched with eternal goods, and in accordance with the apostolic preaching, they rejoiced to have nothing of this world and to possess all things with Christ.

To be continued tomorrow …

Saint Leo the Great (+ 461) was born in Rome of Tuscan parents and served as deacon under Popes Celestine I and Sixtus III. He served as a peacemaker between the imperial generals whose quarrels left Gaul open to attacks by the barbarians. He was elected Pope in 440, succeeding Sixtus III.
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Busy Pastors

Pastors, their associates and deacons in most Protestant and Catholic churches are consumed with numerous responsibilities ranging from preparing and presiding at weekly liturgies to baptisms, funerals, weddings and community social events. However, in accord with Jesus’ command to serve the poor (Mt. 25:35-36), should pastors, their associates and deacons plan occasional time in their schedules to have direct ministry contact to the poor, homeless, prisoner, rejected and abandoned? What is your opinion? Let us know by responding in the poll section by scrolling down to the bottom of the page.

It is my opinion that …

Yes – pastors, their associates and deacons should plan occasional time in their schedules to have direct contact ministry to the poor, homeless, prisoner, rejected and abandoned.

or …

No – it is unnecessary for pastors, associates and deacons to plan occasional time in their schedules for ministry to the poor, homeless, prisoner, rejected and abandoned. They must stay focused on overall leadership. Others should be their ambassadors.
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Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving and Praise Blog III

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High. — Psalm 92:1

Welcome in! Our Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving & Praise Blog is dedicated to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all the mighty works he is doing for all of us who are praying for the “poor”, abandoned and crushed in our lives - including ourselves. Check out each week's Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog and one can get a strong sense of the needs out there. No doubt, God is moving and hearing our prayers!

What has God been doing in your life this past week, month, day, year and in this past minute? What prayers has he answered? What is Jesus doing in your life? How can we ever say “thank you” enough? Post a “thank you” blog to the Lord that gets mailed direct to heaven’s door. Whatever you write will be printed and presented each day at one hour Adoration for the rest of the week!

Pass it on! Let others know that even though we are often too busy, we’re never to busy to say “thank you” for all he has done for us. Return next Tuesday or any time this week and post new prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

Here is how to post thanksgiving and praise:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your thanksgiving and praise in the box at the top.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it to heaven’s door.
8. Giving thanksgiving and praise is the sign of a humble heart!
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Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog V

One surprising Easter Morning!

Welcome in to our Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog. One surprising Easter morning (photo) the Angels and Mary Magdalene encountered Jesus at his tomb. You can too. Come meet Him in prayer! We pray for all the "poor”, suffering and “homeless" in our lives. Who do you know that is crushed, broken, lost, abandoned or hurting? Come, post as many prayer requests as you wish for yourself or others - first names or initials only. Your prayer requests will be printed and presented each day this week at one hour Adoration for the Lord‘s consideration, great mercy and compassion.

Pass it on! Let your family and friends know that even though we are often too busy for much prayer, take a minute here to post prayers; someone will daily pray for each and every request. Please return next Monday or any time this week and post new prayer requests.

Here is how to post a prayer request:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your prayer request in the box at the top of the page.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it heaven’s door.
8. Have faith - about the size of a grain of a mustard seed.

Return to give thanks tomorrow for the Tuesday Morning Praise Blog! Give God the glory for His mercy and compassion and for answering prayers for all the "poor" in our lives!
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Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving and Praise Blog II

What shall I give unto the LORD for all he’s done for me?

I’ll take the gift of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. Psalm 116: 12-13

Welcome in! Our Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving & Praise Blog is dedicated to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all the mighty works he is doing for all of us who are praying for the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten in our lives - including ourselves. Check out each week's Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog and one can get a strong sense of the needs out there. No doubt, God is moving and hearing our prayers!

What has God been doing in your life this past week, month, day, year and in this past minute? What prayers has he answered? What is Jesus doing in your life? How can we ever say “thank you” enough? Post a “thank you” blog to the Lord that gets mailed direct to heaven’s door. Whatever you write will be printed and presented each day at one hour Adoration for the rest of the week!

Pass it on! Let others know that even though we are often too busy, we’re never to busy to say “thank you” for all he has done for us. Return next Tuesday or any time this week and post new prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

Here is how to post thanksgiving and praise:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your thanksgiving and praise in the box at the top.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it to heaven’s door.
8. Giving thanksgiving and praise is the sign of a humble heart!
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Have a holy Triduum and resurrection Sunday celebration. Visit HIA daily this Passion Week. Reflect on 100s of articles and blogs that expose Christ’s suffering and abandonment and His triumphs in America today. HIA returns Easter Monday!
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Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog IV

Be merciful to me, O Lord; for I cry to You daily. Psalm 86:3

Welcome in! Our Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog is dedicated to pray for those dear to the heart of Jesus - the homeless, the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten. Also, we pray for all the "poor, suffering and homeless" in our lives.

Who do you know that is crushed, broken, lost, abandoned or hurting? Come, post as many prayer requests as you wish for yourself or others - first names or initials only. Your prayer requests will be printed and presented each day this week at one hour Adoration for the Lord‘s consideration, great mercy and compassion.

Pass it on! Let your family and friends know that even though we are often too busy for much prayer, take a minute here to post prayers; someone will daily pray for each and every request. Please return next Monday or any time this week and post new prayer requests.

Here is how to post a prayer request:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your prayer request in the box at the top of the page.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it heaven’s door.
8. Have faith - about the size of a grain of a mustard seed.

Return tomorrow for the Tuesday Morning Praise Blog! Give thanks to God for His mercy and compassion and for answering prayers for all the "poor" in our lives!

______

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A Day of Giving

Saturday was an awesome day of serving the poor under the bridges and in the alley ways of DTLA. SPA lunches were delivered (see Saturday, March 15, 2008, 960 Lunches in about an Hour), along with clothing, rosaries and prayer cards. It really was a day of giving "to the least of these" as Jesus commanded in His name.

Along with under-the-bridge deliveries, 100s of lunches were delivered to St. Peter’s daily food line, the Transition House, Catholic Charities, Blessed Sacrament outreach to the poor in Hollywood and many thanks to Mary for getting a supply of lunches to Santa Monica's homeless.

Going forward, we offer many thanks to Joel for being our new team leader on the streets each month as well as for Marcelo keeping SPA food pantry and sandwich deliveries coordinated with St. Peter's. Many thanks to Cecil and Phillip for all both of you are doing to serve the Saturday food line at St. Peter's.

Thanks again to Danny for the awesome Friday night "Sandwich Builders" that has grown the number of people we can help in Christ's name living on the streets and in the nooks, corners and alley ways throughout Los Angeles.
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960 Lunches in about an Hour

What an awesome night, last night! Saint Paul the Apostle (SPA) parishioners built 960 lunches in about an hour. A team of more than 100 set a new Sandwich Builders record! Thank you to everyone who came last night to build lunches for the homeless. There will be many happy and very grateful recipients of your generosity today. It is amazing how many volunteers show up on a busy Friday night to donate an hour of their time, to bring some bread or water or some bananas and cookies to put in the lunches, and to work so hard to help others. SPA is a very giving group and hearts are in the right place. A special thanks to DJ and Joel who packed hundreds of lunches into their cars and whose mission continues today with Marcelo, Josie, Cecil, Spencer, Mary and the delivery of the lunches to downtown homeless. Congratulations and God bless everyone who participated. A great service for the poor has been accomplished.
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Is it Me, or is it a Hopeless Cause?

Six months ago, HIA set out to poll readers about who is responsible for serving the needs of the homeless in American cities. The poll has closed and the question and its results are summarized below:

1. Who is ultimately responsible for serving the needs of the homeless in American Cities? (58 Respondents)

The Government: Our leaders, agencies, taxes, etc. – 11 votes or 18%.

The Church: Our pastors, deacons, outreaches, missions, etc. - 4 votes or 6%.

Myself: I can volunteer, give alms, get involved, fund raise, etc. - 40 votes or 68%.

No one: It’s a hopeless cause - 3 votes or 5%.

Today, scroll down and you will see a new poll is launched for your response. What do you think? Should Jesus be taken literally or figuratively when in Matthew 25:35-40 he said at the final Judgment we will be judged by - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."?

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Give to the Hungry ... Success to all your Plans

"Give to the hungry some of your bread and to the naked some of your clothing. Whatever you have left over, give away as alms; and do not begrudge the alms you give.

"At all times bless the Lord God, and ask him to make all your paths straight and to grant success to all your endeavors and plans." Tobit 4:16, 19
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Do Not Turn Away from the Poor and God will not Turn Away from You

"Through all your days, my son, keep the Lord in mind, and suppress every desire to sin or to break his commandments. Perform good works all the days of your life, and do not tread the paths of wrongdoing.

"Give alms from your possessions. Do not turn your face away from any of the poor, and God's face will not be turned away from you." Tobit 4:5, 7
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Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving & Praise Blog

Welcome in! Our Tuesday Morning Thanksgiving & Praise Blog is dedicated to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all the mighty works he is doing for all of us who are praying for the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten in our lives - including ourselves. Just read the Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog and one can get a strong sense of the needs out there. No doubt, God is moving and hearing our prayers!

What has God been doing in your life this past week, month, day, year and in this past minute? What prayers has he answered? What is Jesus doing in your life? How can we ever say “thank you” enough? Post a “thank you” blog to the Lord that gets mailed direct to heaven’s door – right here at HIA!

Pass it on! Let others know that even though we are often too busy, we’re never to busy to say “thank you” for all he has done for us. Return next Tuesday or any time this week and post new prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

Here is how to post thanksgiving and praise:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your thanksgiving and praise in the box at the top.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it to heaven’s door.
8. Giving thanksgiving and praise is the sign of a humble heart!
______

VOTE -Scroll down & vote in the polls.

SUBSCRIBE -Subscribe! top, right column.

POST - Prayers, Mondays - Praise, Tuesdays.

INVITE -Invite friends and family to Subscribe! http://www.homelessinamerica.blogspot.com/

Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog III

My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct my prayer to You, and I will look up. Psalm 5:3

Welcome in! Our Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog is dedicated to pray for those dear to the heart of Jesus - the homeless, the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten. Also, we pray for all the "poor, suffering and homeless" in our lives.

Who do you know that is crushed, broken, lost, abandoned or hurting? Come, post as many prayer requests as you wish for yourself or others - first names or initials only. Your prayer requests will be printed and taken every day this week for presentation at one hour Adoration for the Lord‘s consideration, great mercy and compassion.

Pass it on! Let others know that even though we are often too busy for much prayer, take a minute here to post prayers; someone will daily pray for each and every request. Please return next Monday or any time this week and post new prayer requests.

Here is how to post a prayer request:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your prayer request in the box at the top of the page.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it heaven’s door.
8. Have faith - about the size of a grain of a mustard seed.

Coming tomorrow … The Tuesday Morning Praise Blog! Give thanks to God for His mercy and compassion and for answering prayers for all the "poor" in our lives!
______

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Blessed are the Merciful, Part II

Continued from yesterday ... a sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen

When we perform an act of kindness we should rejoice and not be sad about it. If you undo the shackles and the thongs, says Isaiah, that is, if you do away with miserliness and counting the cost, with hesitation and grumbling, what will be the result? Something great and wonderful! What a marvelous reward there will be: Your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will rise up quickly. Who would not aspire to light and healing?

If you think that I have something to say, servants of Christ, his brethren and co-heirs, let us visit Christ whenever we may; let us care for him, feed him, clothe him, welcome him, honor him, not only at a meal, as some have done, or by anointing him, as Mary did, or only by lending him a tomb, like Joseph of Arimathaea, or by arranging for his burial, like Nicodemus, who loved Christ half-heartedly, or by giving him gold, frankincense and myrrh, like the Magi before all these others. The Lord of all asks for mercy, not sacrifice, and mercy is greater than myriads of fattened lambs. Let us then show him mercy in the persons of the poor and those who today are lying on the ground, so that when we come to leave this world they may receive us into everlasting dwelling places, in Christ our Lord himself, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (b. 329) was bishop of Nazianzus in the south-west of Cappadocia. Gregory's voluminous writings and his reputation as an orator and a theologian rests his fame as one of the greatest lights of the Church. His works fall under three heads, namely his poems, his epistles, and his orations.

Blessed are the Merciful, Part I

A Sermon by Saint Gregory of Nazianzen

Blessed are the merciful, because they shall obtain mercy, says the Scripture. Mercy is not the least of the beatitudes. Again: Blessed is he who is considerate to the needy and the poor. Once more: Generous is the man who is merciful and lends. In another place: All day the just man is merciful and lends. Let us lay hold of this blessing, let us earn the name of being considerate, let us be generous.

Not even night should interrupt you in your duty of mercy. Do not say: Come back and I will give you something tomorrow. There should be no delay between your intention and your good deed. Generosity is the one thing that cannot admit of delay.

Share your bread with the hungry, and bring the needy and the homeless into your house, with a joyful and eager heart. He who does acts of mercy should do so with cheerfulness. The grace of a good deed is doubled when it is done with promptness and speed. What is given with a bad grace or against one’s will is distasteful and far from praiseworthy. To be continued tomorrow …

Saint Gregory of Nazianzen (b. 329) was bishop of Nazianzus in the south-west of Cappadocia. Gregory's voluminous writings and his reputation as an orator and a theologian rests his fame as one of the greatest lights of the Church. His works fall under three categories, namely his poems, his epistles, and his orations.

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Homeless In America

Not much different from why the middle-class or wealthy people experience divorce, loss of employment, physical abuse and substance addiction - some of the factors as to why some individuals become homeless are personal problems, domestic violence, lack of education, alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness and lack of social skills. Clearly anyone who is homeless and mentally aware would agree that homelessness isn’t the direction in which they saw them self and would like a better life in the long run.

What is the cause of "common" (the working poor) homelessness? In America, while the income of the top percent of the population has increased, the income of the bottom percent of the population has actually fallen. Why are so many people in the U.S. homeless when the country is considered to be more prosperous than it has been in years? Many researchers would say the rich get richer while poor get poorer. Some people actually prosper from the suffering and lack of money of others. A good example would be the rising cost of housing, low wages, and increasing unemployment rates are reasons why homelessness exists. With minimum wage soon to be $6.55 an hour, it’s nearly impossible to afford rent anywhere in the United States, causing more people to get two jobs just to pay rent.

Another important and yet overlooked problem is children who are homeless or under the guardian of homeless parents. In any given week, it is estimated that more then 200,000 children have no place to live. Over the course of a year, as many as 1.4 million children experience homelessness. Forty-two percent of these children are under the age of five, where as homeless families make up forty percent of the total homeless population. Some factors that contribute to family homelessness are traumatic abuse to single mothers, mental health problems and interpersonal problems. Being homeless has its effects on the children as well it would have on any adult. For instance, children who are homeless might experience emotional and mental health issues; they might suffer from behavior problems and feel hostile towards other children or the parent. These negative influences make it likely that the child will repeat the cycle of homelessness upon reaching adulthood.
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New Poll

Most Christians, even if they are not theologically trained intuitively make decisions about Jesus’ words and commands – as to whether to interpret certain sayings figuratively or literally. For example, few modern day Christian wish to take Mark 9:47 literally! Jesus said, "If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell." Yet, when Jesus taught us to pray - “Our Father who art in heaven …” his command is taken literally. We pray the “Our Father” as we are told.

Today, scroll down and you will see a new poll is launched for your response. What do you think? Should Jesus be taken literally or figuratively when in Matthew 25:35-40 he said at the final Judgment we will be judged by - "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me… I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."?

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Polls, Sermons, and Personal Wealth

Six months ago, HIA set out to poll two questions of its readers. The polls have closed for both and the questions and their results are summarized below:

1. Do you believe the many gifts of personal wealth are strong indicators of a person's salvation and blessings from God? (74 Respondents)

Yes 12%

No 87%


2. How many sermons/homilies do you think you heard this past year in your home church that were dedicated to God's promise of mercy to the poor and called congregation members to consider active ways to help the less fortunate? (60 Respondents)

0-1 homilies: 18%

2-3 homilies: 30%

4-5 homilies: 15%

6 or more homilies: 36%

After having read the poll results, what are your thoughts about the summary on personal wealth? Also, based on the data, how do you feel God’s message of mercy for the poor is coming across from church pulpits? Thank you for voting in all the HIA polls!

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Suits for Success A BIG Success!

Last Sunday, the Los Angeles parish Saint Paul the Apostle (SPA) set out to collect men's suits, coats, ties and belts before and after each Mass for homeless in need of dress clothing for work and job interviews. Dubbed, "Suits for Success", it was a BIG success! Special appreciation to Matt and Mary who with the support of Danny and the Justice Outreach Council conceived and launched the event. This was the first time SPA tried the program and the response was overwhelming. Four large suit racks were filled up several times over the course of the weekend. Many thanks to everyone who donated. The dress clothing will be donated to local organizations who help homeless men and women get back into the work place. It is great to see the spirit of outreach to the poor so alive at St. Paul's.
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Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog II

O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before You. Psalm 88.1

Welcome in to our Monday Morning Prayer Request Blog. We pray for those dear to the heart of Jesus - the homeless, the poor, the abandoned, the crushed and forgotten. Also, we want to remember and pray for all the poor.

Who do you know that is crushed, broken, lost, abandoned or hurting? Come, post as many prayer requests as you wish for yourself or others - first names or initials only. Your prayer requests will be printed and taken every day this week for presentation in one hour at Adoration for the Lord‘s consideration, great mercy and compassion.

Tell others that even though many are too busy for prayer, they can take a minute to post a prayer here and someone will pray for them. Please visit every Monday and post new prayer requests.

Here is how to post a prayer request:
1. Click on COMMENT at the bottom of this post.
2. Click the circle Anonymous at the bottom of the page.
3. Type your prayer request in the box at the top of the page.
4. Use your first name or initials at the end of what you wrote.
5. Visually check your spelling (no spell check)
6. Fill in the wavy letters in the security box.
7. Click on publish and send it heaven’s door.
8. Trust God that He will hear your prayer.

Coming soon … The Tuesday Morning Praise Blog where we give thanks to God for His mercy and compassion and for answering prayers for all the "poor" in our lives!

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Have Mercy, Lord

In the body of Christ, we suffer when those around us suffer. We pray ...

Have mercy, Lord.

For those who feel abandoned in their suffering:
-send them compassionate companions to accompany them.

For those who struggle under the burden of loss:
-send them compassionate friends to support them.

For those who fear the suffering of others:
-send them compassionate guides to mentor and encourage them.

For those who feel threatened by the presence of death:
-send them compassionate ministers to bear witness to your Cross and Resurrection.
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The Sheep and the Goats

Why do we serve the poor, the homeless and the abandoned? In Jesus’ own words …

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'

"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

"He will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

Do we have any reason now not to make the poor our top priority?