A Word from Your Pastor August 13

My time for Sabbatical has begun and I am now away.  I wanted to leave this message just to thank you for the journey we have walked together so far.  We will begin again when I return at Thanksgiving.  I ask you to pray for me during this time and know that I will keep you in my heart and prayers as well.

The major part of my time will be spent at a School for Priests in Loppiano, Italy (near Florence), sponsored by the Focolare Movement.  As I have shared with you, this community, formally known in the Church as the “Work of Mary,” has helped me to keep my eyes fixed on the goal of Unity for all of us.  I believe that after an extended time among them, I will return to you with renewed hope for unity and a zeal to plan out our future time together.

Here is a website with information about the Priests’ School Vinea Mea at Loppiano:

http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2017/04/13/priests-of-communion-at-vinea-mea-2/

Here is a prayer that I composed as a personal consecration renewing my Baptismal Vows the year I was ordained as priest.  I share it with you to let you know that I carry you in my heart as I seek to continue to grow in the life of the Spirit.

Lord, grant Your servant a listening heart.  To You, my God, Father, Son and Spirit, I consecrate my heart, my life, my all. Anointed by Your Spirit and consecrated for service among Your people, ordained to the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, I stand to worship You in spirit and in truth, to lead Your people to knowledge of Your Kingdom and to bring Your love into our broken world. May my own faith, given to me at Baptism, serve to help others see Your goodness.  May the gift of hope, residing in my heart, serve to give others confidence in Your mercy.  May my heart burn with Your own love that You Yourself may give life to our world. You have called me by name to be Your son and Your priest, Oh Lord, my God.

I stand before Your Church and offer myself to You as son and priest, that in my heart You may hear the longings of Your people and dispense Your providing love among them.  In union with Mary, Mother of the Church, Mother of priests, and my own Mother, I give You my heart to receive Your Word, on behalf of Your people and for our times.

May all my words and actions serve to bring peace and reconciliation to all who seek You.  May my hands dispense Your blessing upon Your people and touch them with Your healing mercy.  May my whole being be permeated by the power of Your love and may my life be spent in doing Your will, now and into Eternity. 

Renewing the commitment of my Baptism, and calling on the power of the Holy Spirit, Whose anointing I have received, I stand in the truth of who I am before You, Father, and with all in the Communion of Saints, and make my prayer through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

Rev. Timothy M. Hayes

Feast of St. John Chrysostom

13 September, 1985

[My first Baptismal Anniversary after priestly ordination]