As we pray Psalm 40 this weekend, I think of Fr. Matthew Jordan.  If you didn’t know, as of January 15, 2023, he will be the Administrator of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Independence, Ohio.  As a son of this parish, he needs our prayers, especially in the early days of this assignment.  It is a big responsibility to move from Parochial Vicar to Administrator and then to, God-willing, Pastor.  I am asking that everyone please pray this Novena to St. Michael the Archangel beginning this Sunday, January 15 and ending January 23.  We will pray each day after the 8:15 Mass during the week.  This comes from Day 1 from praymorenovenas.com.

St. Michael the Archangel, we honor you as a powerful protector of the Church and guardian of our souls. Inspire us with your humility, courage and strength that we may reject sin and perfect our love for our Heavenly Father.

In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God.

St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may be blessed by God with the zeal to live our lives in accordance with Christ’s teachings.

St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility, you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike Satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility.

It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions…

(state your petitions)

“Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls.” Amen.

Thank you for your prayerful support.  I thank God ahead of time for all the many ways God will bless the people of St. Michael’s through Fr. Jordan love and service.

May God bless all of our parish leaders,

Fr. Jeremy