From Msgr. Heintz's bulletin column for October 20, 2024:

Prayer, according to Clement of Alexandria (+212) is "conversation with God" or, according to St John of Damascus (+749), "the lifting of the heart and mind to God," or, according to St Teresa of Avila (+1582), "nothing else than a close sharing between friends...taking time to be alone with Him who loves us." All prayer begins with God's initiative: it is never merely the product of our efforts, but fruitful prayer does require our effort.

This week, we strive to respond to God's loving invitation into a deeper relationship through growing in prayer. There can be a lot of excuses that keep us from praying (we're too busy, we don't know how, prayer feels boring, so many distractions, etc.), but Msgr. Heintz encourages us to persevere with some simple advice:

Start small - Be faithful - Let God do the rest.

From Episode 15 of Symbolon: The Faith of the Church, "Prayer, On Earth as It Is in Heaven:"

Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian soul and an intimate conversation with God. The heart that responds to Christ’s summons, “Follow me,” does so with a view towards eternity. Learn what it means to come before God as a child, ready to receive his love and respond to his call to follow him each day.

Watch for free on Formed.org through our parish subscription. If this is your first time using Formed.org, click here to get started.

Prayer is "grace and grit," as Fr. Mike phrases it. In this section, one of Fr. Mike's favorites in the Catechism, we hear that "we pray as we live because we live as we pray." This living and praying is a battle in which we must confront our failures and accept the Holy Spirit's grace and aid. Prayer requires humility, trust, and perseverance on our part. In this struggle, we must battle against distraction, ourselves, dryness, and temptation. Today's readings are Catechism paragraphs 2725-2731. 

Trying to build a habit of daily prayer? Check out these Catholic prayer apps to help you get started.

Hallow Catholic Prayer & Meditation app (either free or paid options)

Amen App by the Augustine Institute

Pray As You Go (daily audio meditations on Scripture inspired by Ignatian spirituality)

Laudate app (compiles tons of Catholic prayers and resources)

Saint Teresa of Avila was a Carmelite mystic, reformer, and teacher of prayer who is now honored as a Doctor of the Church. Her writings have helped Catholics throughout the centuries to deepen their prayer lives.

The Catholic Fundamentals newsletter will be on a little hiatus for Thanksgiving break and during the Advent season. Our next email will be on December 18th. In the meantime, please participate in our parish Advent Series (Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the church):

• December 3 - Lessons and Carols
• December 10 - Taize Prayer
• December 17 - Penance Service

Looking for more opportunities to deepen your faith here at Saint Pius X? Visit our website to learn more!

• StPius.net/Faith Homepage for seasonal adult faith formation programs
• StPius.net/Bible Bible studies and Bible study resources, including our Living Water Bible Study blog
• StPius.net/Groups Grow in faith with a group! Check out That Man is You! and She Shall Be Called Woman
• StPius.net/Resources Parish lending library, subscriptions to Catholic periodicals, and instructions for accessing Formed.org