MEDITATION HOLY VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE, QUEEN OF THE Sunday, June 21, 2020 AND MOTHER OF THE AMERICAS. WE FLY TO YOU TODAY AS YOUR BELOVED CHILDREN. WE ASK YOU TO INTERCEDE FOR US WITH YOUR SON, AS 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time YOU DID AT THE WEDDING IN CANA. My persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph. PRAY FOR US, LOVING MOTHER, AND GAIN FOR OUR NATION AND WORLD, AND FOR ALL OUR FAMILIES AND ( 20:11) LOVED ONES, THE PROTECTION OF YOUR HOLY ANGELS, Jeremiah was not having a good week. He had been THAT WE MAY BE SPARED THE WORST OF THIS ILLNESS. FOR THOSE ALREADY AFFLICTED, WE ASK YOU TO arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison. Then, having OBTAIN THE GRACE OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE. HEAR been released, he pronounces an oracle of destruction THE CRIES OF THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AND FEARFUL, against and offers a bitter prayer accusing the WIPE AWAY THEIR TEARS AND HELP THEM TO TRUST. Lord of “seducing” him into this dangerous ministry IN THIS TIME OF TRIAL AND TESTING, TEACH ALL OF US (Jeremiah 20:7). And he prays for the chance to see his IN THE CHURCH TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND TO BE PATIENT AND KIND. HELP US TO BRING THE PEACE OF enemies’ downfall—and to savor it (20:12)! TO OUR LAND AND TO OUR HEARTS. Today ’s reading is not what Jesus had in mind when WE COME TO YOU WITH CONFIDENCE, KNOWING THAT he said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who YOU TRULY ARE OUR COMPASSIONATE MOTHER, HEALTH OF THE SICK AND CAUSE OF OUR JOY. persecute you” (:44). We have only to think of Jesus’ words of forgiveness on the cross to see how SHELTER US UNDER THE MANTLE OF YOUR PROTECTION, KEEP US IN THE EMBRACE OF YOUR ARMS, HELP US ALWAYS he really wants his people to respond to persecution TO KNOW THE LOVE OF YOUR SON, JESUS. AMEN. and enmity. It’s comforting to know that even a great prophet like

Jeremiah had bad days. It gives us some perspective on SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR THE WEEK Monday, June 22 our own lives. Who among us hasn’t wished vengeance 2 Kings 17:5-8,13-15,18; Psalm 60:3-5,12-13; :1-5 on someone who has hurt us? We know we shouldn’t, Tuesday, June 23 we know it’s wrong, but sometimes we find it very hard 2 Kings 19:9-11,14-21,31-36; Psalm 48:2-4,10-11; Matthew 7:6,12-14 Wednesday, June 24 to resist the pull toward resentment and revenge. Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 139:1-3,13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80

The truth is, change takes time, and we have to keep Thursday, June 25 working at it. We have to keep checking our thoughts, 2 Kings 24:8-17; Psalm 79:1-5,8-9; Matthew 7:21-29 Friday, June 26 examining our motives, and holding our tongues until 2 Kings 25:1-12; Psalm 137:1-6; :1-4 we develop the virtues that mirror Jesus’ perfect, Saturday, June 27 unconditional love. We also have to keep pressing in to Lamentations 2-2,10-14,18-19; Psalm 74:1-7,20-21; Matthew 8:5-17 stay close to the Lord so that his love continues to shape Sunday June 28 2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16; Psalm 89:2-3,16-19; Romans 6:3-4,8-11; our hearts. Matthew 10:37-42 But remember this: you are not alone! You are part of a Church filled with saints, both famous and obscure, Prayer Requests If you or someone you know is in need of prayers, please call or email the parish office and we will add who show that change is possible. You also have friends their names to our ongoing parishioners and friends list of you can turn to for support when you need it. And most intentions: [email protected] or call 651-224-3379. important—and most reassuring—you have the Holy Also, kindly let us know when the names of people should be Spirit, who is always ready to remind you of Jesus’ love removed. and to give you his grace and encouragement. Please pray for our parishioners and friends of St. Louis Jeremiah had far more good days than bad days Church who are sick: Paul Anderson, Bill, Tim Brandenburger, Christy, Ginny Collins, Monty Denniston, because he never gave up. Neither should we. Shirley Dufresne, Barb Arland-Frye, Greg Ennis, William F. Faulkner, Anne Hallgren, Margaret Ann Hennen, Lary “Lord, teach me how to love everyone, even the people who Haupt, Jim Heimann, Sister Marie, Tom Mogren, Ruth are making my life difficult.” Murray, Robert and Gretchen Naegeli, Tom Nutter, Mary Reprinted with permission from The Word Among Us Bartel O’Connell, Zachary Redland, Roy Sheehan, Jean Sluss, Brian Walstad, Justin Woessner.

FEATURED ON THE COVER: Details of the restoration of the statue of Saint. Joseph. With Blessed Joseph, her spouse. . . a small but significant change inserted into Eucharistic Prayers II, III, and IV in June of 2013. Ite Ad Joseph. “Go to Joseph.” These were the words of Pharaoh to the people of Egypt during the years of famine (Gen. 41:55). These words are inscribed at the base of our statue of St. Joseph. By declaring St. Joseph, the husband of Mary, the universal patron of the Catholic Church, it tells us to go to St. Joseph in our times of need as well. We can consider the first Joseph, the son of Israel, as a type of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Jesus Christ is born as an infant who needs to be fed, and just as the people of Egypt sought food from Joseph, so Jesus goes to Joseph, whom God has set over his own household, to receive the necessities of earthly life. “Behold! A faithful and prudent servant, whom the Lord placed over his household.” This reminds us of the trust which God placed in St. Joseph to manage his household. For just as St. Joseph watched over and cared for Mary, he similarly watches over and cares for the Church, whom Mary represents, and all Christians belonging to it. If God the Father was pleased to provide for his Son, Jesus, through St. Joseph, then we can be confident that if we turn to St. Joseph as God’s faithful steward we will not lack for anything. So in times of distress, go to Joseph. Happy Father’s Day! Restoration by artisan Elzbieta Kondratowicz Pawlowska.