| Day 6 – Shepherd of Souls For I became your father in Christ Jesus
Intention: For priests who labor in parishes, apostolates and missions.through the Gospel (1 Cor 4:15). Virtue: Zeal for the salvation of souls. After seven years at St. Mary’s Church, Father McGivney was named pastor of St. Thomas Parish in Thomaston, 30 miles from New Haven, in the northern hills of Connecticut. On his final Sunday at St. Mary’s, people wept openly in the pews as he offered his farewell with tears filling his own eyes. He concluded, “Wherever I go, the memory of the people of St. Mary’s and their great kindness to me will always be uppermost in my heart.” The local newspaper noted, “Never, it seemed, was a congregation so affected by the parting address of a clergyman as the great audience which filled St. Mary’s.” Relying on the grace of God, Father McGivney was the image of the Good Shepherd in his six years as pastor of St. Thomas Church. His sacramental records show a steady schedule of Mass, baptisms, confessions, anointings, weddings and funerals — the daily labor of a parish priest charged with the care of souls. Knowing the hard life of his people, he also planned for them regular periods of respite and recreation. Soon he was entrusted with a mission church four miles away, Immaculate Conception in Terryville. Ever faithful to his daily duties, Father McGivney would offer an early Sunday Mass in Thomaston, ride a horse-drawn carriage to Terryville for a mid-morning Mass, and return to St. Thomas Church for the 11 a.m. Mass. This tiring regimen, over rough roads and often in inclement weather, wore down his health. On one occasion, as a Thomaston resident related, Father McGivney lost control of the horse and his carriage crashed into a fence, throwing him some distance. Dusting off his cassock and shaking off the bruises, he thanked God for preserving his life and continued his journey. With the Lord leading, nothing would keep him from fulfilling his obligations to his people. Petitions For pastors and all those who serve as shepherds of souls, that they may practice prayerful zeal in carrying out their duties, for the greater glory of God. R/ Grant our prayer, Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney. For laypeople, that they may offer friendship, support and prayers for priests, who battle on the front lines of spiritual warfare. R/ Grant our prayer, Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Michael McGivney. Continue with the Daily Prayers
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