HAPPY NEW YEAR

Christine and all you wonderful prayer warriors,

I am proud of all of you! I pray that God will continue to shower upon you all God's loving grace and strength as you carry out the tasks God has placed in your beautiful hearts!

A Blessed and Joyful New Year to all!

My other blog: A Tribute To Our Priests adopts Fr. Daren for a week. Please say a prayer for him. I thank you all! :-)

God bless you all abundantly!

Prayer Request for Dave

This was shared by Di:

This morning one of my neighbors was found dead in his apartment. He had committed suicide and had been dead for over a week. No one knew him because he didn't socialize with his neighbors. We only know his first name: Dave. What I do know about him is that he had several mental diseases brought on by war. My dad knew him better. Anyway, please pray for Dave's soul.

Thanks

Di

Eternal rest grant unto Dave O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace.

Prayer Request for Diane's Mom

Please continue to pray for Diane K's Mom

Prayer Request for Oahu Catholics

Please pray that EWTN is brought to the island of Oahu very soon!

Thank you so much.

Healing and Trust

Chris the Soccer Mom of Domestic Vocations is feeling better. She has a wonderful post on trusting in the Lord.

Thank you God for hearing our prayers.

Prayer Request For My Sister

My sister found out Friday that she is pregnant.
She thought she was pregnant, but found out for sure when she went to the hospital because of bleeding.

Things were troubling on Christmas, with her consigned to bed rest.

Please keep her and the baby in your prayers.
Thanks.

Christina is Better

Leticia's daughter Christina is home from the hospital in time for Christmas. Thank you for all your prayers for the family. You can read Leticia's heart-warming post here.

Merry Christmas

A Blessed Christmas to one and all.

Thank you to everyone for helping to make this blog endeavor so successful. I feel very blessed.

Prayer for the Repose of a Soul

Seminarian Matthew's Great-grandmother passed away early Friday morning. Please pray for the repose of her soul.

Grandmother is Cancer Free

Seminarian Matthew left a comment on a previous prayer request to let us know that his grandmother's surgery was successful and she is now considered cancer free.

Update on Christina

Via Leticia:

Thank you for your prayers.

Christina has double pneumonia, and is refusing all medical treatment, so we are worn out trying to keep oxygen and liquids in her. I count on your prayers. God bless you.

99 Balloons

You may be wondering why I am posting this video here. I was touched by this couple's faith in God and their gratefulness to Him. What better place to view it but here at the One Came Back Blog. Oh yeah, tissue alert:

Please pray for Christina

Please join me in praying for Leticia's daughter, Christina, who was admitted to the hospital for pneumonia.

Another BIG "Thank You"
To all of those who prayed for me while I took my ACT test. I scored a 24 which is good enough to get me accepted into the seminary/college I am interested in. Thank you Lord! (And a "thank you" to my mother in Heaven---of course!!)

Prayer Request - Paolo Melo - UPDATE

Paolo has died.

A TERRITORY family has called for a coronial inquiry into the death of their son Paulo Melo after a court ruled he be taken off life support.

Mr Melo, 29, died in his hospital bed yesterday - 17 hours after his ventilator was switched off.

ARTICLE

Also shared by Sue.

NT family loses bid to save son's life

A Northern Territory family has lost an 11th-hour bid to save their son from death after they failed to prove in court he could come out of his coma.

Paulo Melo, 29, was taken off life support at Royal Darwin Hospital at 4.15pm (CST) Wednesday, although he continued to breathe on his own.

Yahoo Article

Prayer Request for Needy Family

Please pray for a family who are suffering greatly this Christmas season in many ways due to health and financial problems, as well as lack of family support. They are hard-working people people of faith who have been suffering greatly due to grave injustices. Pray for food, clothing, shelter, and for God's mercy and peace in their lives as they cling to His promises.

Prayer Request for Chris

Chris of Domestic Vocation and the GOP Soccer Mom is suffering from health problems.

Hi there, loyal readers. Soccer Mom is having some health difficulties, so you may not see many posts prior to Christmas.
Please keep her in your prayers. Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Soccer Dad

Thank you!

Pray for Financial Help

Anne left the following prayer request in the comments:

Please pray for me and Catholic store I own which is entrusted to Our Blessed Mother. I need so much help financially - sales are down due to the economy and I rely fully on my income alone to live. The stress is so overwhelming that sometimes its hard to sleep, eat or even think. I still have one and a quarter year left on my lease and contracts, as well as my car engine blew up (which I have a loan on) But I don't want stop trying I'm only $8000.00 short to get through the next year (which is in honor of St Joseph). Please keep the store and myself in your prayers and will trust that St Raphael will help.
God Bless you and keep you - Anne.

Prayer Request - For North Korean Christians

Following was shared by Sue Cifelli.

Martyrdom awaits North Koreans on Christmas

'Nowhere in the world is such a high price paid for being a Christian'

In a nation where being a Christian can bring the death penalty for the "offender" and his entire family, where tens of thousands of Christians are held in terminal prison camps, and the populace is taught to revere its dictator as a god, there will be martyrdom for Christians on Christmas Day, according to an international ministry

WorldNet Daily article

Prayer Request

I have two prayer requests, that are related to being a father.

First, we found out that we are expecting our fourth child due in late July. Please pray for the health of both Mom and baby.

Second, my consulting business is experiencing a substantial downturn. I ask for your prayers for faith that God will provide, for guidance as I discern what I am to do in providing for my family. and for peace.

Thank you.

Prayer Request from Seminarian Matthew

of A Catholic Life

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for my great-grandmother who had a stroke this past Sunday. She is non-catholic, an atheist, and the family has said that they do not want her to receive an emergency Baptism. I do appreciate prayers for her soul.

2. Pray for my maternal grandmother, who was diagnosed with cancer last week and is having surgery tomorrow. Pray for a successful surgery.

3. Pray for me - safe flights and a trip to Mississippi. Also, please pray for my discernment. And, as a seminarian, I ask for you to pray daily for holy, traditional vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Priests and religious need your prayers. If you do not make a daily holy hour now, please consider doing so. Remember the words of Our Blessed Savior: "Could you not watch one hour with me?" (Matthew 24:40).

Prayer Request for my niece - Update

My niece passed away yesterday on December 15th after a year long battle with brain cancer.
Eternal Rest grant her O Lord and may Your perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.

Please continue to pray for the repose of her soul and also for her grieving family.

Thank you,
-------------
Cynthia Lu, the daughter of one of my first cousins in Peru. She is a young woman who has been suffering from brain cancer for over one year but I just found out today. She is suffering from the side effects of the chemotherapy. This disease is also devastating her family financially.

Prayer Request from Becca

The following is from my friend Becca:

Ladies, I am sharing this prayer request (below) from a friend of mine who I know through NASCAR. His name is Bob and I would appreciate it if you could keep him in your prayers. Feel free to pass along this request as you see fit. Hugs, Becca

Dear Friends,

Today was not a fun day for me. I had an appointment this morning with my eye doctor. And I was looking forward to the appointment to get some answers. I recently had the third surgery on this right eye. It was diagnosed as having developed Diabetic-related (Caused) Neovascular Glaucoma. The Glaucoma shut down all the blood vessels in the eye, which caused the eye to start producing new ones, which also created scar tissue, and caused the retina to detach. I first had laser surgery on the eye, then surgery to put in a tube or stint, to lower the pressure in the eye. The doctor said all of that was successful. But then when the retina detached, he had to go in and fix that. When he got in, he found so much scar tissue that he had to further detach the retina to clear away the scar tissue behind it, and then re-attach the retina. They filled my eye with a silicone oil, and had hoped that within a month some vision would be restored. It hasn’t. Today, he told me that the retina wasn’t getting enough oxygen to heal the way it needs to, for vision to be restored. In addition, today, he found an ulcerated cornea, and we have started treating that with antibiotic drops. The bottom line is that he wasn’t very optimistic about the possibility of me regaining sight in the right eye at this point. He didn’t say it absolutely wouldn’t happen. He said he “hoped” it would happen. “We’ll do the best we can and see what happens,” was his comment.

All afternoon, while part of me has wanted to just lay in the bed and cry, my spirit has been recalling the story of blind Bartimaeus from Mark 10. When he heard Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus! Son of David! Have Mercy on me!” When Jesus called him to come, the story is so poignant. “Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
The blind man answered, "Teacher, I want to see." Jesus said, "Go, you are healed because you believed." At once the man could see, and he followed Jesus on the road.” (Mark 10:51-52 NCV). Jesus simply asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And Bartimaeus answered directly and to the point. “I Want To SEE!” And Jesus healed him. I don’t mean to preach, but I wanted you to know where I am. I have been calling out all afternoon for that same healing. I haven’t done an exhaustive study, but it seems to me that restoration of sight is one of the most prevalent healings in the Bible. So, I am believing for mine! And I ask you to pray in agreement with me to that end. Thank you for your prayers.

Prayer for Heavenly Repose

Please pray for the soul of my great-Uncle Eugene McCarthy, who died yesterday at the age of 97. He will be missed here on earth, but I'm sure welcomed in heaven.

Me need Prayers!

Please pray for me as I am going through some rough temptations! "Where sin abounds, there grace abounds all the more!" Thanks so much!

Prayer Request

Please keep in mind 2 moms who suffered miscarriages this week. May God comfort them and their families in their time of mourning.

Blogger has messed up my formatting ability so forgive this:

Amy Caroline at http://knittingcatholicmama.blogspot.com
Margaret at http://patentsgirl.blogspot.com

Prayer Needed for Safe Travel

Our family will be coming to visit us for the first time since we moved out of state two years ago, this coming weekend. Please pray for safe travel and a good visit.

Thank you & God bless you!

Jean

Special Prayer Request: New Business

Please pray for a new business venture which my husband Bill and I are starting to generate income. We are taking quite a risk, but pray that God will guide us in our efforts to make a living. Jesus, we trust in you!

Called Home Quickly

Last week Anne K posted about the Heart Attack the husband of her friend had. Harry died on Friday, after being declared brain dead. It all happened very suddenly, which although difficult for his wife, Dorothy, was also a blessing, in that he did not suffer long or linger in a non-responsive state for an extended period.

Harry had suffered from various health problems over the years and dying quickly after all of that was really a blessing.

The biggest blessing though, was that the day before his heart attack was what his wife considers a wonderful day - a day to remember. They had gone out and done things. They had made happy memories.

As much as Dorothy will miss her husband, she has the comfort of knowing that their last day together was spent in a way she wouldn't change. She'll have no regrets. And the quick ending means that she won't have to replace those happy memories with memories of weeks or months spent watching her husband suffer in an intensive care ward.

Thank you God for the blessings you bestow on us even when we're not aware of them.

And we offer prayers for the repose of Harry's soul, and for Dorothy as she navigates the Holiday season while dealing with her grief.

ACT Went Well

On his site, PBXVI has posted a Thank You for people who prayed for him the day of his test.

A Big "Thank You!"...

To all those who prayed for me as I took the ACT test. I won't know what my scores are for a couple of weeks, and then I'll know how I did. I felt like the first half went well, while the second half was quite challenging. However, I'm sure that God's Will will be accomplished no matter what the outcome. I hope I can get into seminary this fall though (*hint*! Hey did you hear that???).

God Bless!

Even if his scores aren't tops (and I'm sure they'll be fine) the prayers were answered, because he feels confident in his accomplishment. And Good Luck with the seminary PBXVI!

Prayer Request from my friend Lois

The following is an email I just received. Her DH's mom has pneumonia and is not doing well:

Hi Everyone,

I am asking you all to include Alfredo's Mom in your prayers. My husband's mom went into the hospital last Thursday, and isn't getting any better, but seems to worsening. She is presently taken to ICU at St. Francis's hospital here in Honolulu. I thank you in advance for your kind prayers for my husband's mother. Finding peace in God is such a blessing, and we need to make sure all will make peace in their hearts in these serious times, and place their trust in Him.
God bless with aloha, Lois

Prayer Request From My Sister

This was emailed to me by my sister today.

I don't know any of these folks, however, please say a prayer for them. It was sent to me by someone I know from Church.
Love,
R

Hello Friends and Family -

This is Erin Hopkins with a very urgent and sincere request for prayers. My friend and one-time college roommate, Stacy Gannon, is battling brain cancer and has been receiving chemo and radiation for nearly one year. Stacey is a mother to two young children and a wife to Joey, they live in Atlanta. She just found out that she is 18 weeks pregnant. She became pregnant during her chemo and radiation and therefore, the baby has been exposed to these chemicals from day one.

She has opted to take a 10 week break from her treatment to allow the baby to reach 28 weeks gestation, when they will deliver the baby via C-section. She has been informed by her baby-related doctors that the chemo is very strong and particularly attacks DNA growth in cells and therefore the baby. They are quite certain that there will be neurological damage to the baby, although the ultrasounds have thus far showed relatively normal growth.

Additionally, her cancer-related doctors have told her that they do not want her to stop her treatment of cancer (even for 10 wks!) because her cancer is so aggressive. They said that if they allowed her to carry the baby to 40 weeks gestation, she would probably not live to deliver the baby. So, Stacey is choosing to give her child a chance and risk her own life. I still cannot believe the situation that this family has been put in, even as I type this.

As a member of Stacey's network of support and prayers, I am asking that you specifically say a prayer to Pope John Paul II. He is in the process of being named a saint and needs a second miracle to "qualify" for sainthood. We have decided to storm heaven with prayers to our former Pope, specifically asking him to stop the growth of Stacey's cancer while she stops her treatment.

Many of you may also be calling to mind the story of St. Gianna Molla, whom JPII canonized in the 1994, whose story is very similar to Stacey's. You can read it here.

Finally, I just want to thank you for having read this far. I appreciate the time you took to read this and say a prayer for Stacey, her unborn child and her family. Stacey herself asks that we be sure to pray for her husband, Joey who is truly heartbroken.

Sincerely,
Erin Hopkins
erinchopkins@hotmail.com

Brothers and sisters, if you know of anyone who would be willing to pray for Stacey, please pass this e-mail along to them, would you? (John Donlan)

Prayer of Saint Gerard

Almighty and Eternal God, we thank you for the gift of St. Gerard and the example of his life. Because St. Gerard always had complete faith and trust in you, you blessed him with great powers of help and healing. Through him, you showed your loving concern for all those who suffered or were in need. You never failed to hear his prayer on their behalf. Today, through St. Gerard's powerful intercession, you continue to show your love for all those who place their trust in you. And so, Father, full of faith and confidence, and in thanksgiving for all the wonderful things you have done for us, we place ourselves before you today.Through the intercession of St. Gerard, hear our prayers and petitions, and if it is your holy will, grant them.

I suffered a miscarriage last week and ask that you all might say a prayer for me and my family.

God bless,

~Amy Caroline

Prayer for Bill

Please pray for my dh Bill for two special meetings he has this week which are crucial to our future. Thank you.

Pray for a Marriage in Trouble

Varsha left this urgent prayer request in the comments:

Please pray for my reconciliation with my Husband Sarith Kumar.I love him dearly,but he is insisiting on a divorce which is due on Dec 27 th 2007.I dont want it to happen and would love to have him back in my life.God,Please give me the life I desired and the gift of a happy married life and a wonderful family.
Varsha

Prayer Request for a Test

Just one Hail Mary would be nice!

Hey everyone! Would you mind saying a quick prayer for me---that I'll do okay on my ACT test!? Thanks! I'll be taking it on December 8th from 8AM-12:15PM (MST).

Prayer Request for Marcella

From Love To Be Catholic

Prayer Request for a Priestly Canidate

Please pray for my friend who is discerning a vocation to the priesthood. Everyone is pushing him to go on different paths and he simply wants to do God's will but is burdened. He needs the strength to keep going the path he's going so that he can be an effective priest where the Lord wants and needs him.

More Prayers Please...

Please keep in mind my Grandma V. who seems to be getting back her cancer that had been in recession for awhile. She suffers from bad health in general, but recent tests indicate that her cancer levels have increased. She is going in for a CAT scan today. Thanks!

Heart Attack

My friend's husband, Harry, had a sudden heart attack last night. He is in intensive care and has not regained consciousness. Please pray for him and his family at this time of need.

Prayer Request for my niece

Cynthia, the daughter of one of my first cousins in Peru. She is a young woman who has been suffering from brain cancer for over one year but I just found out today. She is suffering from the side effects of the chemotherapy. This disease is also devastating her family financially.

Pray for Healing

An anonymous poster left this comment:

Please pray for my total healing I need your prayers desperately! I also I ask you to pray for my friend who also has health problems and family problems. God bless you all!

Please be assured that our prayers are with you.

Pray for Injured Brother

Please pray for my brother, Ted, who was injured today (not at his inherently hazardous job, but playing football). He ruptured his Achilles tendon. At this point I don't have any more information - other than he's at the hospital.

Pray for Pope Benedict

Hello wonderful prayer warriors of our Lord,
Please say an extra prayer for Pope Benedict this 1st Sunday of Advent. Thanks! I started a blog that supports priests. One of the suggestions was to adopt a priest and pray for him. Really wonderful! I prayed about it and received the wonderful thought of praying first for our pope. A Tribute to Our Priests.

I visited your blogs. I would like you all to know that I appreciate all of you! God bless you all abundantly!

Prayer Request from the Tiber Jumper

Crossed the Tiber

I received this forwarded email from a physician friend of mine:

"Hello Friends and Family - This is EH with a very urgent and sincere request for prayers. My friend and one-time college roommate is battling brain cancer and has been receiving chemo and radiation for nearly one year. Stacey is a mother to two young children and a wife to Joey, they live in Atlanta. She just found out that she is 18 weeks pregnant. She became pregnant during her chemo and radiation and therefore, the baby has been exposed to these chemicals from day one. She has opted to take a 10 week break from her treatment to allow the baby to reach 28 weeks gestation, when they will deliver the baby via C-section. She has been informed by her baby-related doctors that the chemo is very strong and particularly attacks DNA growth in cells and therefore the baby. They are quite certain that there will be neurologic damage to the baby, although the ultrasounds have thus far showed relatively normal growth. Additionally, her cancer-related doctors have told her that they do not want her to stop her treatment of cancer (even for 10 wks!) because her cancer is so aggressive. They said that if they allowed her to carry the baby to 40 weeks gestation, she would probably not live to deliver the baby. So, Stacey is choosing to give her child a chance and risk her own life. I still cannot believe the situation that this family has been put in, even as I type this.

As a member of Stacey's network of support and prayers, I am asking that you specifically say a prayer to Pope John Paul II. He is in the process of being named a saint and needs a second miracle to "qualify" for sainthood. We have decided to storm heaven with prayers to our former Pope, specifically asking him to stop the growth of Stacey's cancer while she stops her treatment. Many of you may also be calling to mind the story of St. Gianna Molla, whom JPII canonized in the 1994, whose story is very similar to Stacey's. You can read it here. Finally, I just want to thank you for having read this far.

I appreciate the time you took to read this and say a prayer for Stacey, her unborn child and her family. Stacey herself asks that we be sure to pray for her husband, Joey who is truly heartbroken. Sincerely, E. H.

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO FORWARD TO AS MANY PEOPLE YOU KNOW WHO WILL PRAY FOR STACEY AND HER FAMILY!!!! "

Pray for Fr. Tom

Fr. Tom Killackey, retired priest, has a history of Melanoma and the doctors have recently found some suspicious nodules on this lungs, so please keep him in your prayers.

THANK YOU AND A JOYFUL FIRST SUNDAY ADVENT TO ALL!

Prayer for Heavenly Repose

"Lord, Remember me When You Come Into Your Kingdom!"

Hey everybody! This advent/Christmas season especially would you keep in your prayers a man named Mr. T. who has just lost his wife Susan T.to a sudden heart attack. Please pray for the Heavenly repose of Susan's soul. They were a wonderful couple at our church (though I didn't know them, but I have heard from those who did) and were around 50 some-ish.

This couple loved traditional music (ex. our traditional choir), and at the funeral we will sing the "Sanctus" which is just about ALWAYS done in English at our church. Mr. T. said his wife would be proud that she would be the one to allow our church to start singing this. I might have the grace to play piano at the funeral.

P. Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine upon her.

P. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R. Amen.

Prayer Request for Danielle and Family

From my friend Danielle:

Hi dear friends
We found out Larry's store will be closing and there is NO guarantee he will have a job elsewhere with this company. Larry loves this job and with his age and lack of a degree it is always hard and scary as to if and when he'll get another job.
I am working my Avon business (and love it) and I started to work for sister and her husband at their restaurant
in the coatroom. (tips only).
I will be applying for a job with HeadStart so I'll be working 3 jobs soon.
Thanks for letting me plead for prayers.
I Love you all and always think of and pray for you
God Bless You
Danielle
Jesus, I Trust In You !

Prayer Request from Diane K - Update

Update: Diane's mom has developed a high fever. Please continue to pray. Tahnk you.

Diane K of Te Deum Laudamus posted the following prayer request on her blog:

I have not been posting much since just before Thanksgiving because my mother has been quite sick and is in the hospital again. This time, it appears she has an infected knee joint and cellulitis.

I humbly ask for your prayers for her as these last 6 weeks have been most difficult on her...

Please go to her blog to read a warning she posted about leaving our loved ones unattended in hospitals.

All Went Well

Suzanne posted today that her husband's procedure yesterday went well - and tests even confirm it. Thank you, God.