Heart thread - 09/19/2009 - updated

On this feast of St Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury - the one who ordained Cuthbert a bishop - there are many to pray for.

For Margaret who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, "for grace and strength for all her children and grandchildren in the days to come."

Mimi asks us to "please pray for the family of a young friend of ours. His father, aged in his late 50s, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack on Thursday. There was no known history of heart disease."

Fran asks: "Please pray for the soul of Juliette, mother of my boss, Father Jerome Gingras. Juliette died on Friday at age 95. Please pray also for Fr. Jerry and his family. Juliette was in good health almost all the way to the end. Fr. J did get to see her and spend time with her on Thursday, which was a real blessing."

For Joel, who finally got a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, and for Margaret as they deal with this going forward.

For Mother Sandra and her ongoing healing.

Friend Steve writes: "Keep Brother Roosevelt in your prayers. Can't find work down in Florida. He's looking for any type of contract work throughout the country. Tough times these days for bean counters."

For the soul of my Aunt May whose funeral will be this coming Wednesday and for my cousin Judy and the rest of the family.

For Mark (Mapko = Marko) in his sudden loss.

For Marc Andrus, Bishop of California, having surgery for prostate cancer Monday, September 28 [thanks, David, I was sloppy on which Monday].

For those with no health care or inadequate health care and for those who struggle on their behalf to move this nation toward a civilized system that cares for all.

I offer thanksgiving for the US scrapping proposed missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic and for Russia abandoning their plans to deploy missiles near Poland.

For the new year as the Jewish Community enters the Days of Awe. L'shana tova.

For a happy Eid ul-Fitr (even if I'm running a bit late here).

For the repose of the souls of Patrick Swayze and Mary Travers.

For the upcoming meeting of Abbas, Netanyahu, and Obama - for the sake of all the peoples of the Middle East.

For Fran's swift recovery from her sore throat.

For Diane that her headaches may desist and her health be sound.

For Hans passing a kidney stone this weekend (we think it happened yesterday).

For Myron and all who love him, esp. Sue.

For those ordained in the Diocese of the Rio Grande today that they may be gracious and effective channels of God's love in the lives of many.

For the unemployed.

For E. and D. and T. and K. and A. and J. and S. and D. and P. and R. and F. and S.

UPDATE:
When typing I forgot to offer prayers for Ralph: "I’ll be spending the next three weekends (and the free bits in between) moving and might not get to posting much."

And for Jenny who just moved and now faces unpacking.

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB
Photo of Jackie Rago, Venezuelan musician, playing the cuatro.