Schedule
December 2023: How to Pray the Mass
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV
Venerable Bruno Lanteri, the founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary who staff Our Lady of Perpetual Help Retreat Center, offered a profound method of praying the various parts of the Mass from the heart. Using A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass by Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, Fr. Mark will explore this way of entering into the Mass during this Day of Prayer. Fr. Shawn Monahan used the same book for a presentation last year; Fr. Mark will give his own perspective supplemented with video content.
February 2024: Lost in Wonder
Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV
On this Monthly Day of Prayer, Fr. Greg will explain how prayer should precede, accompany, and follow our reception of the Lord in Holy Communion. Prayer and the sacraments can lead to a mutual gaze between the Lord and each of us, which changes us and makes us radiant in Christ. Fr. Greg will also illuminate how the Eucharist truly makes Christ present to us in our sacred remembering, as he tells us to “Do this in memory of me.”
March 2024: Carrying our Cross
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV
The ideas of “carrying one’s Cross,” “bearing the Cross,” or “suffering with Christ” are difficult ones for many. What does it mean to suffer with Christ, and how does such suffering bear fruit for others and for ourselves? How do we shift from seeing suffering as something to be avoided at all costs to living suffering as a means of growth and salvation? As we continue on our Lenten journey, Father Mark will offer some helpful guidelines on this Monthly Day of Prayer.
April 2024: Relentless Pursuit
Fr. Greg Cleveland, OMV
Continuing with the theme of suffering for Christ, Fr. Greg will describe how Jesus gives us the strength of his presence in the Holy Eucharist to bear witness to him in an indifferent, even hostile world. We grow in our willingness to be broken in our service to him. The Holy Spirit transforms us into the bread and wine of Christ for others.
May 2024: Rediscovering Devotion to Mary
Fr. Mark Yavarone, OMV
Pope Francis never ceases to extol the virtues of Mary and to promote devotion to her, including a special devotion to “Mary, Undoer of Knots.” During this month of May, which is traditionally dedicated to Mary, Fr. Mark will highlight some themes from the Pope Francis’ preaching about Mary and offer some paths of prayer to her.