Our Great Journey

Journey Small Groups (K-Adult) begin meeting the week of September 13. Look for a Welcome email on September 7. Class lists are posted in the Church foyer. We can’t wait to see everyone!

Our weekly post offers prayer resources, a glimpse of the upcoming Sunday Gospel with short commentary, discussion/reflection questions and suggestions for living the Gospel.

This week our theme is “Prayers Answered” based on Matthew 18:15-20 / Mateo 18:15-20

Opening Prayer:

While often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, the Peace Prayer wasn’t written by the saint. However, it remains a popular traditional prayer.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.

Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.

Things to talk about:

Jesus says, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” When have you felt the presence of Jesus in a group of two, three, or more?
What is Jesus saying to us in this Gospel about forgiveness?
How do we handle conflict? Are our strategies for resolving conflict effective? If not, discuss how we can improve.
Share a time when you know your prayers were answered. What does it mean if your prayers aren’t answered in the way you thought?

Things to do:

Practice listening this week. Listen intently when someone tells you something, and then silently count to 5 before responding, giving yourself time to think about what you’ll say.
What action do we do with our hand before the Gospel is read? What does it mean? (For the answer, click HERE.)
Start a Prayer Journal. After a week look back and see how God answered your prayers.
September 7 is the Feast of Blessed Frederic Ozanam. Read more here about how Frederic Ozanam lived his Catholic faith.
Celebrate Mary, Mother of Jesus’ birthday on September 8. Make a May Crowning Cake to celebrate.

Closing Prayer

O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim)

This hymn of Adoration, written by St. Thomas Aquinas, is a beautiful way to honor Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist. Listen to the hymn and pray together, because, “where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.”

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.” Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

Jesus teaches how to respond to a dispute between two members of the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly.

The victim should privately address the offender and attempt to resolve the dispute.
If that doesn’t work, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again.
If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community.

Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he knows the reality of conflict and offers a way for addressing disagreements. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: Jesus is present with us and will guide the community in its relationships. If decisions are taken to prayer, we can be assured of God’s help.

Did you know...that restorative justice is a system that has biblical roots? It is an approach to engage all of the people affected by a crime, violence or offense. It seeks to bring offenders to a point of rehabilitation and reconciliation with their victims and with the community.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

September 6, 2026 – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time