Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Each month, the Holy Father shares a prayer intention for the faithful to reflect upon. For June, Pope Leo XIV's intention is "that each one of us might find consolation in a personal relationship with Jesus, and from His Heart, learn to have compassion on the world." As June concludes with the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 27, believers are encouraged to embrace God's love and reciprocate it within their communities.

In a recent message, Bishop shared insights on how this divine love can be expressed beyond church walls. He emphasized that while believers gather in sacred spaces like parish churches, they also encounter diverse faiths and challenges in everyday life. Quoting Ezekiel, he reminded them of their role as shepherds tasked with seeking out the lost and healing the sick.

The bishop urged practical acts of kindness: writing cards to those who are alone, offering prayers for friends in distress, checking in on ill family members, or joining parish ministries to aid those in need. Additionally, he encouraged prayers for victims and families affected by tragic events reported in the news.

Citing St. Paul’s words from Romans 5:5b — “The love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” — and Pope Francis’ reflection from Dilexit Nos 60 about Christ’s human heart as a vessel of divine love, he questioned how individuals serve as God’s shepherds today.

To accompany these reflections for June, Pope Leo XIV offered a prayer asking for guidance and compassion towards others. The prayer seeks transformation through divine encounters and missions rooted in compassion.