One of the major initiatives within our parish and school will be recitation of the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel after all of our Masses. The prayer will be said after the final blessing and before the recessional hymn. Sister Kathy and I have petitioned our bishop for permission to use this prayer in our parish and our school. First, it is the tradition of the Michaelite Community to pray this prayer. Second, in these times of so much violence, hatred, and brutality as well as attack on what is holy, good, and of God in many aspects of our lives – we, young and mature, need this “extra” help that comes from our devotions in the battle against the forces of darkness and against the spirit of this world. We will start praying St. Michael’s prayer from the First Sunday of Advent. Many of you already know this prayer, as it was said many years ago in all of the churches, but if not, the text will be provided on the front cover of our songbooks.