Dear Prayer Power Family,

I’d like to speak to you from my heart about a matter that deeply affects me, and I believe you too. When we breathe our last breath on this earth, what spiritual legacy will we leave behind?

My two recent cancer surgeries have served as a reminder of the shortness of our life’s journey. We only have so many days and so many breaths of fresh air before our last one comes. It is important to make the most out of every moment that we have.  

As I write this letter, I am surrounded by family photos of my parents, my children and grandchildren. The pictures remind me that we are a small part of a large chain of lives linked by the love of God and the bond of family. The greatest legacy we can leave our family is a deep love for our Blessed Mother and the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus - which will carry them through the challenges of life.

Prayer Power is about leaving a legacy of love to the next generation. Our mission is to inspire people to spend an hour a week with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament;  asking him to multiply the number of men and women entering the priesthood and consecrated life - and multiplying the number of people falling in love with his Eucharistic Heart. 

This year our goals are to: recruit 1,000 new Prayer Power members, encourage Prayer Power members to pray for 20 men to enter St. Charles Seminary, and to reach more young people through internet and social networking.

You can help us leave this legacy of Eucharistic Love with your prayers and financial support.  We would be most grateful if you would share and support the Prayer Power mission with a donation.

Thank you for your help and your prayers. You and your family are in our daily intentions.   May the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary fill you and your family with the peace and joy of their love.

Love,

Peggie O’Neill

Dear Prayer Power Family,

Happy Fourth of July…this relaxing holiday weekend begins on my favorite feast day. Friday, July 1st, is the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Priests.

What a blessed opportunity for us to be able to begin our holiday weekend praying for our priests. These men said “Yes” to Jesus’ call giving up the comforts of a wife and family for the honor and glory of God. There are many blessings, graces and joyful experiences that come with the priestly vocation; however, a priest, like us, is a human being experiencing the pain of temptations, loneliness, disappointments, criticism and rejection. We are their family.

We are the benefactors of the sacrifices these men have made. Their sacrifice makes it possible for us to enter into the sacrifice of the Mass receiving Our Divine Lord into our heart. Father is there at our Baptism, for our Confession, our First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Wedding and at our death bed administering the Sacraments to us.

Will you join me in letting our priests know how much we love and appreciate them? Let us go to Mass on Friday, July 1st and offer it for all priests everywhere in the world, especially in Philadelphia. You could also say a rosary and if possible make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for our priests. Drop a note to the priests that touch your life and tell them how much they mean to you and your family.

Priests, as we have learned in the last few years, are frail human beings that need our prayers and support. Jesus promised us: “Whatever you ask for in my name shall be given to you.” We ask in Christ name for the sanctification of all priests.

Thank you for your love and prayers. May you and your family have a joyful and precious Fourth of July.

Love you as always,


Peg

Dear Prayer Power Family,

You are a blessing to the church in Philadelphia. I want to thank you for your loyalty and faithfulness to Our Lord in the Eucharist and to our priests and religious. Since my last letter, God has called home four loyal Prayer Power members. I had the gift of spending time with each one of them before they died. They radiated the peace and joy of Jesus Christ.

"As you live so shall you die." These four people lived their faith by attending daily Mass, weekly Adoration, saying the rosary, and volunteering in hospitals, nursing homes and prisons. When we spend time with a person who is dying, we get a different perspective on life. We appreciate the richness of our Catholic Faith and the healing power of the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist.

This is something the news media does not understand. They criticize us for remaining faithful to Mass and our parish. They do not understand that the Mass and our Catholic community nourish our spiritual life. Although we are heartbroken and angry about the recent scandals in our Catholic family, we are not going to abandon the very graces that sustain us. The news media sensationalizes and exploits people’s pain. Let us not get caught up in their distorted mistruths. If you read something that makes you angry, check it out before you take their words as gospel.

We know and love our priests, those in ministry and those on administrative leave. We can’t imagine the pain they are suffering. Our hearts and prayers go out to them and to the victims. This is a time to Retreat, Reflect and Renew; powerful antidotes to anger, emotional pain and disappointment.

Emily Battinelli, a junior at Villanova University, retreats to the Blessed Sacrament to reflect on her daily challenges. Her visits renew her faith and give her the courage to go back into the world and make a difference. Tom Whittingham, a seminarian at St. Charles, feels quiet time with Our Lord in the Eucharist is a gift. It renews his strength to take Jesus to the people he meets in his apostolate. 

Ask yourself a simple question: What is God asking you to leave behind?

God bless you and your family always.

Love,

Peg
peg@PrayerPowerVigil.org