By Zoe Cannon
Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
“Do not fear” is the most repeated verse in the bible. This command gives us the power of faith over fear. We are living at a time when it is a challenge to stay strong and put worries aside. We are facing a crisis of leadership in our country, but God tells us not to worry!
Matthew 4:17-21: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea. And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’” The Messianic prophecies from Isaiah often speak of an earthly kingdom. Matthew’s Gospel is the fulfillment of God’s plan as he shares the story of Jesus seeking out those who will lead believers on a journey to a heavenly kingdom.
In 2020, I began praying a daily rosary by including one of the five dioceses of Indiana — the bishop — deacons, priests and parishes for each of these dioceses in a decade of the rosary. It is a perfect way to cover the Church of Indiana in prayer. I recently discovered another opportunity to pray for bishops across the United States. “The Shepherd Project” was inspired at the Shrine of Our Lady of Champions in Wisconsin; the only Marian-approved apparition sight in the United States.
I traveled to the shrine in Wisconsin in the fall of 2023. I learned about Our Lady’s message to a young Belgium girl named Adele. She was to gather children in the wild country and teach them what they needed to know for their salvation: the sign of the cross — catechism — and the grace from the sacraments. We are living in some very wild times! These same practices remain fundamental to our salvation. The world is under attack by a darkness that has created a lack of peace and plenty of division among people of faith and non-believers too. Our Church leaders need our support in prayer!
The Shepherd Project prayer initiative began May 1 and will continue until the end of October for each bishop across America. A perpetual candle is also lit for the bishops next to a statue of St. Methodius in the Shrine’s Apparition Oratory. For more information, or to pray along for our bishops daily, visit championshrine.org/shepherd-project.
There is no better offering than the gift of prayer. The time spent in conversation with God is the key to eliminating fear. You can make a difference by supporting our Church faced with many challenges. Pray for vocations to priesthood every day!
A Prayer for Our Bishops, adapted from the ORA Foundation website (ora.foundation/novena-for-our-bishops):
“Jesus, Good Shepherd, You sent us the Holy Spirit to guide Your Church and lead the faithful to You through the ministry of the successors of Your Apostles, the bishops.
“Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, grant to Your bishops wisdom in leading, faithfulness in teaching, and holiness in guarding Your sacred Mysteries.
“As they cry out with all the faithful, ‘Our Father,’ may Your bishops be ever more closely identified with You in Your Divine Sonship and offer their own lives with You, the one saving victim.
“Renew in Your bishops deeper faith, greater trust in You, childlike reliance on our Mother Mary, and unwavering fidelity to the Holy Catholic Church.” Amen.