When I arrived at GBCI for my latest visit to preside and preach at the "Sunday Mass on Thursday," I was surprised to meet Bishop David Ricken and Deacons Mike Vincent and Tom Mahoney at the processing center at the prison's south-west entrance. I had forgotten that the Bishop had asked to take the Mass as close to Christmas as possible; our Christmas Mass would be celebrated on Thursday, 23 December 2010. Because I offer stories of my prison experience here on so many occasions, I thought I'd share a link here to the Green Bay Catholic Compass, our diocesan newspaper, which gives you a great view of what I experience on Thursday mornings in Allouez.A tremendous photographer, Sam Lucero did a great job catching the Spirit of the moment. As you watch the slide show, I offer to you one of my favorite and most often used Eucharistic Prayers (IV) that I often choose for the prison population; you'll discover why. Through the sights and words, please enjoy the annual Christmas Bishop's Mass with the inmates... ... ...
Father, we acknowledge you greatness:
all your actions show your wisdom and love.
You formed man in your own likeness
and set him over the whole world
to serve you, his creator,
and to rule over all creatures.
Even when he disobeyed you and lost your friendship
you did not abandon him to the power of death,
but helped all men to seek and find you.
Again and again you offered a covenant to man,
and through the prophets taught him to hope for salvation.
Father, you so loved the world that in the fullness of time
you sent your only Son to be our Savior.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and was born of the Virgin Mary,
a man like us in all things but sin.
To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,
to prisoners, freedom,
and to those in sorrow, joy.
In fulfillment of your will
he gave himself up to death; but by rising from the dead,
he destroyed death and restored life.
And that we might live no longer for ourselves but for him,
he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,
as his first gift to those who believe,
to complete his work on earth and to bring us the fullness of grace.
And now, that link... ... ...
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