3-13-25
Loving Father,
Placing ourselves in your presence,
we ask you to be with us as we meet today.
Help us to be open to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Remind us of the importance of our work for your Church!
Please give each of us what we need in order to help fulfill the mission
that you have given to Duluth Benedictine Ministries.
We thank you in advance for your guidance and love.
We ask this, in the name of Christ, your Son. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

5-8-25
EASTER / RESURRECTION
Loving and compassionate God,
It is said that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for a friend.
Your Son laid down his life for us. May we never forget the magnitude of his sacrifice.
Today, we resurrect our commitment to you.
Today, we resurrect our commitment to Duluth Benedictine Ministries,
the mission you have entrusted to us.
May we be so humble as to walk in the footsteps of those who have come before us.
For this we pray in your most holy name. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

7-17-25
Good and gracious God,
We ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as we begin our meeting today.
Grant us wisdom to discern your will, humility to listen with open hearts,
and courage to act with justice and compassion.
Inspired by the Rule of St. Benedict, may we seek peace, practice hospitality, and honor the dignity of every person we serve.
Help us to be faithful stewards of the trust placed in us,
and to work together in unity and love.
May our decisions reflect your mercy, our actions bear witness to your truth,
and our hearts remain rooted in prayer and service.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

9-11-25
PREP FOR FEAST OF HOLY NAME OF MARY
Heavenly Father,
As we gather in service to our DBM mission, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose holy name we honor tomorrow, may we be inspired by her humility, courage, and unwavering faith.
Help us to lead with compassion, discern with clarity, and act with integrity.
May our decisions reflect Your will and bring forth peace, justice, and unity.
Bless our work today and all those we serve.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

OR

9/11 ORIENTED
Heavenly Father,
As we gather in service to our DBM mission, we ask for Your guidance and wisdom.
On this day of remembrance,
we honor the lives lost and the courage shown on September 11.
May their memory inspire us to lead with compassion,
discern with clarity, and act with integrity.
In the face of sorrow and division, help us to be bearers of peace, justice, and unity.
May our decisions reflect Your will and bring healing to a world in need.
Bless our work today and all those we serve.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

4-9-25
Heavenly Father,
We are about to begin our Finance Meeting
and ask that you help guide our decision making.
Make us good stewards of the resources that have been entrusted to us.
Keep us focused on your Divine Will for our ministries.
May we always trust your purpose and feel your presence.
Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

8-13-25
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Gracious and Provident God,
We gather today as stewards of the resources you have entrusted to us.
As we approach the Feast of the Assumption, we are reminded of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s faithful “yes” and her glorious entry into heaven.
May her example inspire us to serve with humility, wisdom, and trust in your divine plan.
Bless our work today. Grant us clarity of mind, integrity of heart, and unity of purpose. May every decision we make reflect our commitment to the mission of your Church and the well-being of those we serve.
Help us to be faithful stewards – generous, prudent, and always mindful that all we have is a gift from you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

5-8-25
EASTER / RESURRECTION
Loving Father,
As we gather here today, we come before you with hearts full of gratitude and joy, celebrating the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
We thank you for the gift of Easter, a time of renewal, hope and new beginnings.
Holy Spirit, we ask for your guidance and wisdom as we meet today.
Please inspire our thoughts, words, and actions, so that we may work together in unity. Let our efforts reflect your love and grace, bringing light and hope to those we serve.
We ask this in the name of our risen Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

9-11-25
PREP FOR FEAST OF HOLY NAME OF MARY
Loving and Gracious God,
As we gather in the spirit of community and service,
we pause to listen with the ear of our hearts.
As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary tomorrow,
we ask her to walk with us – gentle, faithful, and ever open to Your will.
May her example of humility and courage inspire us to seek you in all things, to welcome one another with hospitality, and to serve with stability and love.
Guide our conversation today, that it may be rooted in wisdom, shaped by peace, and directed toward the flourishing of the mission You’ve entrusted to us. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

OR

9/11 ORIENTED
Loving and Gracious God,
As we gather in the spirit of community and service,
we pause to listen with the ear of our hearts.
On this solemn day of remembrance, we hold in prayer all those
whose lives were forever changed by the events of September 11.
May we honor their memory with lives committed to peace, compassion, and justice. In the face of tragedy, You remain our refuge and strength.
Help us to be instruments of Your healing – to welcome one another with hospitality, to serve with stability and love, and to seek You in all things.
Guide our conversation today, that it may be rooted in wisdom, shaped by peace, and directed toward the flourishing of the mission You’ve entrusted to us. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

2-12-25
Lord God, as we gather for this meeting,
we call upon you to be with us.
God of Love, give us unity of heart and mind
to consider the challenges that are laid before us.
Help us to create an atmosphere of loving kindness.
Be with us both now and forever.
Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

4-9-25
Lord, Eternal God,
We are about to begin our meeting, and we do so with the awareness that
without your Divine Presence here at the center of our meeting,
and also within ourselves, our work will be empty.
Grace us with your wisdom and vision, so that not only this meeting, but all our lives,
may be a meeting place for your Kingdom.
Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

6-11-25
MONTH OF THE SACRED HEART
Dear Jesus,
We ask you to be present with us in a special way during our meeting this morning.
You know the vastness of the mission which you have given to Duluth Benedictine Ministries, and the tasks that you have placed upon us as the Nominating Committee. We know that we cannot fulfill our duties on our own, we need you, we need your help.
Remind us, especially during this month when we honor your Sacred Heart, that you are truly present within our own hearts, Jesus. You are constantly working within us and through us; we thank you!
We ask for your guidance in our meeting. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer

8-13-25
FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION
Loving and Eternal God,
We come before you with grateful hearts, seeking your wisdom and grace as we begin this meeting.
As we approach the Feast of the Assumption, our hearts turn to heaven and the glory you bestowed upon the Blessed Virgin Mary. In raising her body and soul into eternal light, you reveal the promise of hope and renewal for all who follow you. May we, too, be lifted in spirit – renewed in our commitment to serve you and your people with humility, courage, and joy.
Bless our conversations today. Grant us clarity in our discussions, unity in our decisions, and peace in our hearts. May our work bear fruit and be pleasing in your sight. Amen.

Written by Bridgette Scharmer