.=: M O R N I N G P R A Y E R :=. From Father Pat Umberger __________________________________________________ I R E L A N D 2 0 1 0 EARLY SIGN-UP DEADLINE ENDS AFTER 10 JULY PRICE GOES UP $100 AFTER THAT. 18-28 October 2010 - $2799 from O'Hare, $2859 from La Crosse Brochure, sign-up sheet & links to hotels are now available at the Web Site: www.frpat.com __________________________________________________ .=: S A I N T O F T H E D A Y :=. St. Oliver Plunkett (1629-1681) The name of today's saint is especially familiar to the Irish and the English-and with good reason. The English martyred Oliver Plunkett for defending the faith in his native Ireland during a period of severe persecution. Born in County Meath in 1629, he studied for the priesthood in Rome and was ordained there in 1654. After some years of teaching and service to the poor of Rome he was appointed Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. Four years later, in 1673, a new wave of anti-Catholic persecution began, forcing Archbishop Plunkett to do his pastoral work in secrecy and disguise and to live in hiding. Meanwhile, many of his priests were sent into exile; schools were closed; Church services had to be held in secret and convents and seminaries were suppressed. As archbishop, he was viewed as ultimately responsible for any rebellion or political activity among his parishioners. Archbishop Plunkett was arrested and imprisoned in Dublin Castle in 1679, but his trial was moved to London. After deliberating for 15 minutes, a jury found him guilty of fomenting revolt. He was hanged, drawn and quartered in July 1681. For more, follow this link: http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/bydate.aspx .=: S C R I P T U R E F O R T H E D A Y :=. For today's Scriptures, follow this link: http://www.usccb.org/nab/ "When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the sabbath, that we may display the wheat? We will diminish the containers for measuring, add to the weights, and fix our scales for cheating! ~Amos 8:4-6, 9-12 The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" He heard this and said, "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." ~Matthew 9:9-13 .=: M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y :=. It is all too easy to criticize. Jesus is undaunted by criticism and continues to reach out to those who need help. Those considered strong and powerful don't show any need for Jesus and what He has to offer, so He concentrates on those who acknowledge their need for help. .=: P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y :=. I pray that I may know my weakness and my sinfulness. I pray that I may acknowledge my needs and allow the Lord to help me. .=: W E P R A Y :=. Nancy from PA requests prayers for all those men and women who are serving in the armed forces around the world and especially those serving in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq that God may keep them from harm's way and for all those veterans who have served that they may be remember especially for their services in the past. Gin asks prayers for a special intention. Judi asks prayers for a cure for the cancer of a 3-year-old boy. Christine asks prayers for safe airline rides for vacation both to and from and that her sons take care of themselves and her home while she is gone. A mother asks for prayers for her sons who need to find employment and one who is struggling with severe depression and anxiety. Jo Ann requests prayers for special intentions for her son and his family. We pray for people suffering from natural disaster, especially those in Haiti and Chile. We pray for great respect for life from natural conception to natural death. We pray for an end of terrorism and war, for the safety of our troops and their families at home. May God Bless you and those you love, and keep you safe! Father Pat "Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10 __________________________________________________ <MP>Morning Prayer is free, and is Copyright XXM Father Pat Umberger, a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse in Wisconsin U.S.A. Web Site: www.frpat.com Evangelization (reaching out): www.cmonback.com .=: M A K E A D O N A T I O N ? :=. www.frpat.com/donation.htm .=: F O R W A R D I N G :=. Please leave these credits when doing so. Newly written each day by Father Pat Umberger. Morning Prayer may not be published by others, but is a good resource for preachers and those who attend Daily Mass, and those who would like to keep up with the Lectionary Readings and are not always able to attend Daily Mass. .=: C H A N G E Y O U R S U B S C R I P T I O N :=. Unsubscribe from your old address before you subscribe with your new address. Use this link: www.frpat.com/morningprayer.htm#mp .=: S U B M I T A P R A Y E R :=. Intentions to be included with <MP>Morning Prayer: www.frpat.com/prayers.htm