Prayer of Blessing and Dedication

Father of Life and Love, we thank You today that You have called us to share in the life of our parish family.  We thank You for all our brothers and sisters, and ask You to deepen the bonds of love among us.

We thank You especially for our former pastors whom You have called to lead and shepherd our parish.  Today, O Lord, we remember them.  Those who are living, we commend to Your protection.  Those who have died, we commend to Your mercy.

Father, we remember today in a special way Father John Vojtek.  We dedicate to You this memorial stone.  We pray that it will serve as a witness to the faith and leadership that Father John displayed during his priesthood and his pastorate at Transfiguration Parish.  We pray that it will serve as a sign of Your love for us, in that You continue to provide for your Church dedicated and holy pastors to guide and shepherd Your people.

We pray, Father, that we who are the living stones of the Church may likewise be witnesses to the Catholic Faith.  Give us the grace to work with the pastors You have sent us in the mission of spreading Your Word throughout the world.  May the work we have begun under the guidance of Father John and the other pastors of Transfiguration Parish flourish and continue to bear fruit that is pleasing to You.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.