World at Prayer blog

Reflections of Family and Faith

"The family that prays together stays together." - Venerable Patrick Peyton

Father Jim Phalan, C.S.C.

Father James Phalan, C.S.C., is a Catholic priest, member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, and was the former director of Family Rosary USA. He served as a missionary for many years, traveling the globe as part of the Family Rosary team to help people come to Jesus through Mary. He is currently stationed at Lourdes in France.

Blog Feature

Celebrating family life  |  Return to the Church

The Lord Works Through Families - Family Video Reflection

It’s great to visit the Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Massachusetts for a few days! As I was born and raised around here and I have served in Family Rosary for so many years, this area will always be “home” for me. Some will remember that our Provincial Superior asked me to go to Santiago, Chile, so I moved at Christmas. As I have also served in that part of the world before, I was happy to say “yes,” and I have been getting settled in there well.

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Learn more about our faith  |  Return to the Church  |  Seasonal Reflections

The Christ Child Changes Everything

I am blessed to have served as a priest for 17 years in our Holy Cross ministries in Peru. I love Christmas in Peru. As night falls on Christmas Eve, a quiet settles, along with a sense of waiting. Christmas Eve Mass is celebrated around 10 p.m. The Churches are packed for beautiful celebrations as the feast begins, and people return to their homes, yet there is still a sense of waiting—until midnight!

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Brief and contemporary inspiration focused on hope and family prayer will be delivered to your inbox! Articles include live video, written word, and links to resources that will lead you and your family deeper into faith.

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Love thy Neighbor  |  Seasonal Reflections

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the New Creation - Family Reflection Video

The great majority of people in North and South America have seen the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, including non-Catholics — thanks, particularly, to the migrations of Mexicans. Hilary Clinton expressed her appreciation of the beauty of the image when, as Secretary of State, visiting Mexico City, she was brought to the Basilica of Guadalupe and she went on to ask in all sincerity, “Who painted it!" I hope Hilary’s heart was touched to hear the story of how the image miraculously appeared and remains. I hope our hearts are touched today too as we contemplate both the intimacy and the power of what happened.

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Our Lady of Guadalupe  |  family

Guadalupe—The Home of the Holy Family

It is not by accident that two major Marian feasts fall in the middle of Advent—the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, and the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, December 12. They draw us more deeply into the warmth, the mystery, and the power of the season. Reminiscent of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, Mary came to Guadalupe seeking a home where she could stay among us with her Son whom she carried in her womb. She invited families who did not yet know Christ to become part of His Holy Family, and, in doing so, healing the wounds of division.

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Learn more about our faith  |  Seasonal Reflections

Freedom is Here - Family Reflection Video

In God’s Providence, at this point in our Advent journey we celebrate two great feasts of our Blessed Mother, The Immaculate Conception, and, in four days, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The Holy Virgin is raised up for us as Model, Mother, and Guide on our way. The beauty and depth of these feasts illuminate our Advent hope!

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Strengthening family unity  |  Why pray?

Advent: Building Your House on Rock - Family Reflection Video

“Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.” Matthew 7: 24 We have just embarked on a wonderful time of the year. Let’s be sure to celebrate it to the full. That means living the first part: Advent! If we observe Advent first, then, when we come to Christmas, our joy will be deep and real.

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