Former reporter and city editor at The Tribune, Welland, On. Active in various community groups and initiatives, married with two grown children, interested in roses specifically and gardening in general. A collection of previously-written columns was published in book form in the fall of 2013 and is available by contacting the writer at: fromareportersnotebook@gmail.com. It sells for $20.
Today’s Reflection: Gracious God, thank You for those who listen, laugh and lift us up. Bless each friend who walks beside us, in joy and in struggle. May we be as faithful to them as they have been to us.— Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart. My soul is like a turbulent sea. I can’t seem to find my balance so I stumble and worry constantly. Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path you’ve laid out for me. I trust your Love God, and know that you will heal this stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night. Please bring me clarity with the light of God. In your name I pray. — Author Unknown
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Today’s Reflection: May we find serenity to block out the noise of the world, to find peace amidst chaos and clarity in confusion. Let Christ help us focus on what truly matters and stay grounded in His presence. — Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, which is pretty much everyone, since I’m clearly not you, God. At least not the last time I checked.
And while you’re at it, God, please give me the courage to change what I need to change about myself, which is frankly a lot, since, once again, I’m not you, which means I’m not perfect. It’s better for me to focus on changing myself than to worry about changing other people, who, as you’ll no doubt remember me saying, I can’t change anyway.
Finally, give me the wisdom to just shut up whenever I think that I’m clearly smarter than everyone else in the room, that no one knows what they’re talking about except me, or that I alone have all the answers.
Basically, God, grant me the wisdom to remember that I’m not you. Amen. — Fr. James Martin, SJ
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.
Today’s Reflection:Prayer for Courage to Advocate for the Poor
Dear Lord, Grant us the courage to stand up for the voiceless and advocate for the poor. Fill our hearts with compassion and our spirits with strength, so we may be bold in our efforts to bring justice and support to those in need. Help us to be instruments of Your love, shining light in the darkness of poverty. Amen. — Jesuit prayer site
Morning Offering is a daily post by Joe Barkovich, who lives in his hometown of Welland, Ontario. Daily photo by Joe Barkovich.