As we begin this new year, I want to focus on helping everyone grow in prayer. I will from time to time offer suggestions on how to pray that I hope will help you. We live in a time when online programs are very helpful.
    
Today, I want to begin looking at the Liturgy of the Hours. You can use a free app or you can buy a $200 set of books. I suggest the app. The set of four books is going to be replaced around Easter, so do not invest at this time.
    
The Liturgy of the Hours—The Church’s liturgy certainly includes the Mass and the celebrations of the other sacraments. But there is a spiritual treasure house that most Catholics are barely aware of. This is called the Liturgy of the Hours.
    
There are five special “hours” that the Church prays every day. These are Morning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Evening Prayer, Night Prayer, and Office of Readings. These are made up of psalms and canticles (psalm-like prayers not in the Book of Psalms), readings from Scripture, and other prayers. Priests are required to say the entire set of prayers every day.
    
There is an app that I use called iBreviary. You can get it for free on the App Store or Google Apps. Downloaded and explore it. I will explain how to use it next week.

(Note: This app is different and separate from our new parish app. Our parish app features an online bible that you can also use as a way to enhance your prayer life.)