God, our Creator, help us to love all creatures as our kin, all animals as our partners on Earth, all birds as messengers of praise, all dogs as signs of loyal friendship, all cats as expressions of your mysterious design and all frogs as voices of hope. Amen. Let them all praise the Lord’s name;
for he commanded and they were created,
Animals wild and tame,
creatures that crawl and birds that fly;
Let them all praise the Lord’s name,
for his name alone is exalted,
His majesty above earth and heaven.
Psalm 148:5,10,13
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Gracious God, please pour your love upon those who have asked to be remembered in our prayers. To make a prayer request: http://ministry.dpd.org/prayer-requests
For the people in Mexico and Puerto Rico suffering the effects of recent disasters we pray in solidarity. George Crossen - former resident of the Giuliano House. May he rest in peace and the love of God.
Li- For strength and a clear vision during difficult circumstances. May God’s love surround you.
Family and friends of Claire Reilly – resident of the Murray House, as they adjust to her recent death. May God give them strength and may they find comfort in one another.
Family and friends of Lucy Cox- during this difficult time of loss.
Mike Schmidt – Uncle of Gruenert Center staff Diane Madsen. In gratitude for successful surgery and prayers for continued recovery.
Theresa Wickham – Mother of staff person Joe Wickam. May God grant her comfort, strength and healing.
Regina Maloney - Sister of Joe Wickam. May God watch over her and give her courage and healing.
Lynne Heiner - Sister of Gruenert Staff Kathy Vermulen. May she be restored to health.
Kathleen Peterson – Friend of DPD. May God watch over her and bless her with a quick recovery from her illness.
Randy Philhower – Mother of Gruenert Staff Rebecca Dann. May she know God’s peace and courage as she undergoes treatment to bring her back to health.
Mickey Williams - Father of DPD nurse Anne Williams, for strength and health
Joan Meeks – Sister of Sister Joan
, for continued healing
Josiah – For God’s guidance and protection
Kirsten Yuroshek Tavia – Great grandmother of Ashley, Director of Barnet House
Lester Esparza - Father of Hope Eder
Christian Lavorgna – Son of CARE volunteer Ed Lavorgna
Daniel Healy Charlie Raab & Jim Daugherty Jimmy Feehan - Brother of Julie Tatti
James Ondimu Ochoki – Father of Geoffrey Ondimu, Director of Basile Apartments
Anthony – for strength
For peace, justice and hope in our world. May God bless our staff, residents, friends, volunteers and benefactors. May he turn his face toward you and give you peace. For the deceased and for their loved ones:
George Crossen - former resident of the Giuliano House
Claire Reilly – resident of the Murray House
Lucy Cox – Friend of DPD
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October 2 – Feast of the Guardian Angels Angels are servants and messengers from God. "Angel" in Greek means messenger. In unseen ways the angels help us on our earthly pilgrimage. We should invoke the help of our Guardian Angels daily. “From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their watchful care and protection. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life.” (CCC #336) The idea that each soul has assigned to it a personal guardian angel has been long accepted by the Church and is a truth of our faith. The Guardian Angel Prayer is an excellent prayer. It is as follows:
Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to Whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. ✙
October 4th - Saint Francis of Assisi - Patron saint of animals and ecology
Francis was born in Assisi,
Italy in 1182. He grew up leading a privileged life as the son of a wealthy cloth merchant. About the age of nineteen Francis went to battle against the nearby town of Perugia. He was captured and taken prisoner and held prisoner in a dungeon for a year before his father paid the ransom and he was set free. Over the next few years Francis began to see visions from God that changed his life. Francis gave all his money to the church. His father became very angry with him. Francis then left his father's home and took a vow of poverty.
As Francis lived his life of poverty and preached to people about the life of Jesus Christ, people began to follow him. Today these are the priests we know as the Franciscans. Francis was known for his love of nature and animals. There are many stories about Saint Francis and his preaching to animals. It is said that one day he was talking to some birds when they began to sing together. Then they flew into the sky and formed the sign of a cross. It was also said that Francis could tame wild animals.
Blessing of the Animals– a tradition in many Catholic Churches held on October 4th in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. People are invited to bring their pets to church on that day for a special ceremony of blessing. It is a celebration of the bond of all creation in its many forms.
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The DPD is blessed by our Pet Therapy Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . .