On our ecumenical block
Sunday at 8 a.m.
the Catholic bells are ringing
the Presbyterians who come early
are starting to arrive
and down the way
the Methodist church sign
asks what’s missing?

U R

I’ll pass them all
when I leave for church
soon
but for now
the dog is snoozing
on the kitchen floor
a rare moment of peace
and so I’m praying

for my church
and all the others
for the pastors who are ready
and the ones in a panic
for the priests who go home
to an empty rectory
and the preachers whose kids
won’t let them nap

I pray for the Pope
because he asks everyone
pray for his health and strength
and give thanks he cares for the poor
pray that the work I do
the work so many women do
will someday be blessed by him
as I trust it is blessed by You

8:06

I need to get going
Go with me I pray
Go with all of us
to Mass on a parkway
and Eucharist in a stone church
and liturgy of the Word
and plain old worship
All for You, Holy One.

Amen.