August 17, 2025
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Parish Family:
The start of the school year signals the return to more regular schedules. There is a cycle to our living. Each turn of the year is not a repeat of what already happened. It’s not just a matter of doing it again. Each turn of the year brings us to our ultimate destination … and that is God Himself. Whether we are students, teachers, parents, family members, or fellow parishioners, we all know someone who is starting the new school year, and we can pray for them. As the people of God, everything we do should be marked by prayer. Here are some prayers to get us started.
A Student’s Prayer: Lord, help me be the best student I can be, using all the gifts and talents you’ve given me. Help me listen to my teachers and coaches. Help me play fairly and safely. Help me be honest and always tell the truth. Help me to be kind to everyone at school and to treat others as I’d want them to treat me. Help me make good friends and help me be a good friend to others. Help me love and respect, trust and appreciate my parents and teachers – and to be honest with them. Help me remember that you’re with me always, Lord, and that you’ll never leave my side. Amen.
A Parent’s Prayer for Students: Lord, as my children leave for school, I pray that you will keep them in your care. Send your Spirit to open their minds to all that is true and beautiful and good. Help them to see the gifts and talents you have given them and to use them well. Help them to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Give their teachers patience and understanding. Send your angels to guide and guard my children and to keep them from all harm. Open their young hearts to your presence and enfold them in your peace and protection. Hold them in the palm of your hand and bring them home safely at day’s end. Amen.
A Parent’s Prayer When a Child Leaves Home for College: Gracious God, you blessed me with the gift of my child and entrusted me with his/her care. Now he/she leaves this home and begins a new part of life apart from me. Surround him/her with good people and watch over him/her each day. Let him/her know that I will always be near whenever he/she may need me. Heal any hurts we may harbor with each other and forgive our failings as we learn to be in this new step of our relationship. When the sight of his/her empty room pierces my heart with sadness, may I find comfort in knowing that my child is your child too, filled with your grace and sheltered by your love. Amen.
A Teacher’s Prayer: Lord, a new school year is about to begin, and my classroom door will be open to the students you’ve entrusted to me. Open my mind and heart to each of them. Help me challenge them to study, learn, and grow in knowledge and wisdom. Help me to be clear in the things I say and do, and kind in how I say and do them. Let my decisions in the classroom be fair and just, honest and true. Send your Spirit to fill me with gifts of knowledge and understanding, counsel and wisdom. Help me to teach as you would, Lord. Amen.
Love and prayers,
Father Neil Sullivan