Plan a car caravan. Thank You for the hidden gifts of this pandemic: more time with my family, slow evenings at home, the beauty of creation and rediscovering joy in simple things. Just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know I appreciate your friendship so much. Angela J. of Los Angeles, California, attended a surprise Zoom birthday for an aunt living in Philadelphia who was turning 90. We asked for love, and you gave us troubled people to help. I hope that today you look at me and feel my love. But no less joyous. Scripture: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21. At least 222,000 people have died since the pandemic began. Thank you that you came to give new life, peace, hope, and joy. O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal that we lose not our hold on things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. And birthdays may be particularly important to children, helping them to understand the concept of aging while raising their self-esteem and cementing their feeling of belonging in their families. Look to God in the midst of your daily challenges. Help me to be generous and to keep contact with the forgotten. Take a moment to think about how COVID-19 has impacted your life. Take a deep breath and moment of quiet. Us garbagemen are gonna keep collecting the garbage, doctors and nurses are gonna keep doctoring and nurse-ering. We paused. I cannot see if you smile or if you scowl. Thank you for always giving me your all. Nor are we. May my prayers and support be with them all. Say the Glory Be 6. For peace in our city and in our world.For renewed friendships among neighbors.For solidarity and unity among all peoples.For a greater appreciation and love of all humanity. Birthdays (and other temporal markers) can also be times to reassess our lives. I can barely keep up with everyones birthdays these days, but you better believe Id never forget yours. The pandemic has made it impossible to have a real birthday bash with your loved ones and friends. May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose between preserving their health and making their rent. The Jesus Prayer. Lord Jesus, you came into the world to heal our infirmities and to endure our sufferings. Happy birthday, friend. Is there a person or group of people especially affected by COVID-19 that you dont often choose to see or connect with normally? Pope's Prayer for Protection from Coronavirus, episcopalrelief.org/what-we-do/us-disaster-program/faith-based-response-to-epidemics/, https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=1822, https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=229, https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/02/coronavirus-prayer, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-03/pope-francis-prayer-our-lady-protection-coronavirus.html, Multi Faith Calendar of Religious Holy Days, Foundational Documents on Jesuit Catholic Education, Xavier University's Center for Mission and Identity. Let this accelerantconsume and quicken usfor the greater good. addthis.layers({ For those who are lonely.For those who have no one to check on them.For families that are separated. I pause (breathe in and out) and resolve to love myself more tomorrow. Yes, we have finished this holy season. Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary. We made promises to love and protect our families, "til death do . The year injustices were even more pronounced. Perhaps, Lord, no time is really ordinary. We stepped up. Jill Suttie, Psy.D., is Greater Goods former book review editor and now serves as a staff writer and contributing editor for the magazine. Neighbors have turned into crazed killers. Though the girls stood six feet apart and wore gloves and masks much of the time, being together let the celebrant know she mattered. You are the Powerful Creator of all people - each one unique, special, precious in your sight, and greatly loved by you. [CDATA[ All over the world people are waking up to a new reality To how big we really are. It was one of the most delightful things that ever happened to me in my life, says Amber. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. For someone who deserves the world hope your day is full of joy, laughter, friendship, and your favorite type of cake. The parade was filmed and posted on Facebook, which meant she could watch it in the months that followed whenever she felt the pandemic bringing her down. Since this was the first time that everyone was out of their house and socializing, it made it special.. Read more Practices for Observing Lent I hope that todays wishes, smiles, and heartfelt words turn into many amazing memories. And the courage to reach out. The pace, chaos, and emotion of change can be stressful; make time to take care of ourselves and each other. Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now. We ache for ourselves and our neighbors, standing before an uncertain future. God of hope, may your love blanket the earth, as you teach us to live more generously today than yesterday. - By Susan Haarman, Loyola University Chicago, It seems that I return to you most easily when I need comfort, O God. Science Center We worried about the age. What connections impact you the most? We believe there is a God who bends his ear to listen, and so we pray: 1. Some of these endings come suddenly or unexpectedly. When I think of the extent to which You were willing to go in order to save me,. I love You. Make time to celebrate the new beginning and what we have to look forward to. But your mask, Lord, what about your mask? Greater Good wants to know: Do you think this article will influence your opinions or behavior? Looking forward to many more memories in the years to come. Happy birthday, friend. To make a success of it, youve got to start young. - Fred Astaire, Cakes are special. At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus pain, with steadfast faith.You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. Creator, thank you for my many blessings, especially ______________. This is a perfectly quaint way to celebrate your birthday. Thank you for being you. Lynn Ungar, March 11, 2020 (posted with permission of the author) for more from this author, view: https://www.lynnungar.com/poems/. Amen. We pray for misinformation to be curbedthat fear may take no hold in hearts and minds. On her 58th birthday, Mrs. Cole-Dai wrote "58 Pandemic Prayers," a collection of 58 simple, one-line meditations for a better life, better relationships and a better future. Pray. 5. What connections impact you the most? By noon, most of us have already faced challenges, and we may think we can handle these things alone; but the Lord says otherwisewe must look to and depend on Him. You can also make this . God gifted us with limitless creativity and imagination. Happy birthday. And stepped in where needed. Prayers for those with the Coronavirus, those who care for them, and those who are suffering from anxiety during this stressful time. We just held our commencement exercises, which signifies the end of our students time here on campus and the beginning of their lives as Xavier alumni. (You could hardly deny it now. For those who are suffering from physical or emotional abuse.For those who are disproportionately suffering because of societal structures and unjust policies.For those who are struggling with physical or mental disabilities.For those who are overwhelmed by anxiety and stress. 3. Enjoy your cake, your party and your presents today but remember that your friendship is the greatest gift of all. These birthday prayers and blessings should be the first things you say on that particular day. For public officials.For business leaders.For educators.For innovators and inventors who provide new solutions. Happy birthday. Sustain bodies and spirits. Rather than debate how smart animals are, we should care for them because of their capacity to feeland perhaps even have spiritual lives. This month, nurture your relationships each day. These uncertain days of news conferences and quarantines tempt me to assume the worst for my loved ones, myself and my community. There is no one alive who is you-er than you. - Dr. Seuss, You can be gorgeous at 30, charming at 40, and irresistible for the rest of your life. - Coco Chanel, I decided if you're lucky enough to be alive, you should use each birthday to celebrate what your life is about. - Mary Steenburgen, Grow old along with me. text: "I would like to share Xavier's Jesuit Resource - Prayers During the Coronavirus Pandemics" To how little control we really have. Whatever it is you wish for on this special day, know that you deserve it. I am grateful for my health and for the health of my family. 1 A Prayer to Remember What Christmas Is All About "Lord, I thank You for coming to earth so You could redeem me. Our God is purposeful, setting us in our families, communities, even in our generations. Who can see through your mask? Whether the occasion is bittersweet and quiet or a party that rocks out in sheer exuberance, our designs convey the birthday message that hits exactly the right note. Pause and reflect on where youre being invited to grow from that moment. A Prayer of Gratitude. Help me to offer them your tenderness. An English-language translation of the Popes prayer is below: O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. I pray that the year ahead brings many beautiful blessings to your life. I have felt your presence on days when my work at my workplace or at home was not great, and I was humble or needed to make apologies. Birthday Prayer Thank you, God, for giving me another year of life. -Prayer originated fromhttps://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=229. ANew Normal is emerging. Heres to another year of invaluable life lessons. Understated. A plan which has been long been needed, but is only now being reckoned with. In one study in the U.K., researchers asked people to describe their birthday celebrations and how the festivities affected them at two points in time. Happiest of birthdays. We ask this through the Lord Jesus who healed those who believed. Thank you that you surround us with favor as with a shield, and we are safe in your care. Economic disparity. -Found on Twitter: Jester D TGM - @JustMeTurtle, What if you thought of itas the Jews consider the Sabbaththe most sacred of times?Cease from travel.Cease from buying and selling.Give up, just for now,on trying to make the worlddifferent than it is.Sing. Our University rose to the many challenges. Be with me at this moment,and guide my thoughts to those placeswhere I could have been more loving in my dayand consider how I will improve. It was a surprise for him and he loved that, says Anne. - ByEd Schmidt, S.J.,written January 12, 2021, Click here for a video of the prayer being prayed, // Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic- The birds are singing again The sky is clearing, Spring is coming. After all, you yourself are a gift to earth, so you deserve the best. I dont know how I got so lucky to have a best friend like you. Public health issues have a way of making us recognize how interwoven our lives are with others in society. Freelance. Heal those who are sick with the virus. The Christian 'Asbury Revival' event gained viral attention on . The infected person - who has not been identified - attended a 24-hour prayer event at Asbury University in Wilmore on February 18. 1. Heres to hoping all your candles this year dont set off the fire alarm. We asked for courage, and you gave us fears to overcome. Day and night, you are my refuge. And then we collected ourselves. Celebrating another quarantine birthday? Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that. New ways of learning and working were created. Rag-ge-dy! Touch only thoseto whom you commit your life.Center down. Old friends and colleagues are now out of control. Later, his mom invited six local friends to come by the house and hang out on the front lawn, sit around a bonfire, and make smores. Open my eyes and let me see them as You see them! twitter: { Be with us, Lord, in . We ask for protection for the elderly and vulnerableto not succumb to the risks of the virus.