.=: M O R N I N G P R A Y E R :=. from Father Pat Umberger __________________________________________________ M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S I hope your Christmas was wonderful! It was beautiful here at Saint Patrick's, with thousands of peopled joining us to celebrate Christmas. It was great to be able to celebrate Mass at Onalaska Care Center on Christmas Eve as well. I just returned from Christmas with my family, including a four-year-old, a six-year-old and four Boston Terriers. It was an adventure! May we always know the Lord's presence with us. What a wonderful Feast we celebrated this Christmas Day! H A V E A W O N D E R F U L C H R I S T M A S S E A S O N Visit my Christmas page for new desktop wallpaper, our Christmas card to you, a photo of Father Pat and his sister in Santa's lap, lots of Christmas links and much more. Just follow the banner link from: www.frpat.com _________________________________________________ .=: M O R N I N G P R A Y E R :=. From Father Pat Umberger .=: S A I N T O F T H E D A Y :=. St. Stephen (d. 36 A.D.?) Good King Wenceslaus went out, on the Feast of Stephen. That's today, December 26th! All we know of Stephen is found in Acts of the Apostles, chapters six and seven. It is enough to tell us what kind of man he was: At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenist (Greek-speaking) Christians complained about the Hebrew-speaking Christians, saying that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, "It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.... (Acts 6:1-5) For more, click the link below: Saint of the Day: http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/SaintofDay/ .=: S C R I P T U R E S F O R T H E D A Y := The witnesses laid down their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. As they were stoning Stephen, he called out "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." ~Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Brother will hand over brother to death, and the father his child; children will rise up against parents and have them put to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved." ~Matthew 10:17-22 Scriptures: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/ .=: M E D I T A T I O N F O R T H E D A Y :=. As we bask in the glory and wonder of Christmas, the Feast of Saint Stephen shows us that discipleship is not easy. Still, we can remember that we're never alone. God has come to be with us, His people. He will fill us with courage, love and wisdom as we continue the work of His Son, now born into our world and our hearts. .=: P R A Y E R F O R T H E D A Y :=. I pray that I may know the Lord's presence with me in good times and challenging times as well. I pray that I may never be afraid. .=: W E P R A Y :=. Sue asks for prayers for herself as she tries again to wean off anti-anxiety medicines. We pray for unity in our country and that we may build a Culture of Life. We pray for the safety of our troops, their safe return and their families at home. We pray for a deep and profound respect for life, and for the courage and willingness to stand up for life. We pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. Have a good day! 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 comes from: 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