From the Pastor’s Desk
On Friday evening of this week at 7:00 p.m., I want to encourage you to join Bishop Estévez in a Prayer Service for Healing, Unity and Peace. As violence seems to spread more and more in our cities, towns and communities each day, the president of the United States Catholic Conference, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, announced this initiative.
In mid-July when Archbishop Kurtz asked that every diocese and parish observe this special Day of Prayer, he made note of the scandal of racism in our society, misunderstanding and name-calling that can never be a part of being a Christian disciple. Rather, he noted, we must “promote peace and healing during this time of great strain in our civil society.”
This Day of Prayer for Healing is but a first step that our U.S. Bishops are taking to work effectively to bring positive dialogue to so many areas of our life in America. Among these are gun violence, race relations, economic injustice and the need for better health care for all, especially mental health. I hope that you will join Bishop Estévez in this time of prayer for healing, unity and peace.
Love,
Father Tom
[P.N. – This will be my last column for a while as I leave today for my sabbatical. As I take you with me in my prayers, I ask you to please pray for me as well. Ciao, for now. See you in early December.]