I Thirst
In Urualla, Nigeria most people did not have access to water for cooking, bathing, and drinking. This often resulted in children, mostly young girls, to walk great distances to acquire the water for the day. As a result, they often missed school and risked being kidnapped by terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram. St. Mary’s Young Adult Group and the St. Vincent de Paul Society teamed up to provide clean water and security to the region. Our first well was completed in Urualla in 2021. This well produces over 8,000 gallons of water daily which supplies in excess of 5,000 people in the village. This provides tremendous relief from water scarcity, especially during the dry season.
The group did not want to stop there! So, after a very successful “Walk for the Well” Fundraiser in 2022, they teamed up with the SMA Fathers here in Dedham. Four Projects were targeted for wells in parishes operated by our SMA Fathers. To date, work has been finished in three of the four areas. Thanks to the generosity of so many, solar powered wells have been completed in Tami-Nadu, South India,
St. Joseph Parish in Kafanchan, Nigeria, and St. Luke Parish in Dahwolbob, Nigeria. The final project on the Ivory Coast is on track for completion by the end of this year. Due to a land and clan dispute, the project was on hold. We have learned that those disputes have been resolved and the project has restarted.
We are grateful for all those who have helped fund these projects. Resources are still available for us to undertake several more projects which the SMA Fathers will identify. Once those projects begin, we will notify the parish.
{The members of the I Thirst team consist of members of the board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society here at St. Mary’s and young adult volunteers from our parish community. There is a lot of enthusiasm and excitement found in our newly formed group looking to serve God through our sisters and brothers in Uralla, Nigeria.}
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John 10:10 Ministry ~ I came that they may have life and have it more abundantly
In honor of our Blessed Mother, we pray for families, for priests, seminarians, deacons and vocations to the religious life which are born and nurtured in families. We pray for the sanctity of life and marriage, for the unborn, for babies and children who are healthy, sick or disabled, pregnant women, couples who are trying to conceive a baby or adopt a baby, mothers who have had miscarriages, parents who have suffered the death of a baby or a child, parents who have had an abortion and parents who have considered having one, parents who are struggling to accept their disabled child, as well as parents who embrace their disabled child and see in that child, the beauty that was created by God.
Mary Burton is the Founder of the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry, and the Author of the John 10:10 Blog and the Co-Founder of the Kiss of Mercy Prayer Apostolate. In her work teaching Kindergarten and Preschool children, she joyfully shared the beautiful teachings of the Catholic faith with the little ones. She also enjoyed her work in hospital services where the “Gift of Life” is made available for patients in need of blood through the generosity of blood donors. Mary and her husband David enjoy going to daily Mass, Eucharistic adoration, praying together, helping in their parish and going for walks. They cherish every moment with their granddaughters, Lily and Norah. They love spending time with family, especially their weekly family dinners, getting together with friends, as well as gazing at the beauty of God’s creation by the ocean along the New England coast. Mary has written her first book entitled, The Unfolding of the John 10:10 Prayer Ministry. Check out the website for more information: https://www.unfoldingofjohn1010.org/
A Kiss of Mercy Apostolate
(FOR HEALING FROM ABORTION)
A Kiss of Mercy Prayer
(to be recited after kissing an image of Jesus)
Jesus I trust in You.
May my kiss, and Your grace,
convert, heal and reconcile to the Father,
one soul wounded by abortion. Amen.
Recite one Hail Mary.
Prayer for a Struggling Priest
(Offered in the Presence of the Blessed Sacrament)
O Jesus, as St. John rested his head on Your chest at the Last Supper,
so now I rest spiritually on Your heart as I contemplate Your Presence
in the Blessed Sacrament. Please use my own heart as a means of
conversion, healing, and reparation for one of Your priests
in need of Your love and mercy. Amen.
Recite one Our Father.
Visit website here at https://www.prayerforastrugglingpriest.org/
For a Holy Hour of Reparation click here
The Justin House
A Catholic healing ministry for young adults who have been broken physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, serving those who are seeking a better life through the love and mercy of Jesus Christ. Holy Mass, religious formation, retreats, social events, training in the moral life are offered. In addition, training in trades, arts, music, and sports combines to assist young people in the development of their gifts and talents helping them to find their place in the Church and in society.
Contact: Judy Stivaletta