Dear Parishioners,
What a week! Just when you think things couldn’t get any worse in our country there was the turmoil at the Capitol Building in Washington. I understand from one of our parishioners who was there that it was mostly peaceful with a number of the demonstrators praying for our country and some even down on their knees. Unfortunately, a number of others protested in a violent way, and five people died. Archbishop Lori has asked us to pray for our country—the Prayer of St. Francis or the Rosary. Furthermore, the Archbishop has asked us to perform some act of penance on Friday the 15th. Since this day has come and gone, we could do it on the following Friday. Finally, the Archbishop suggests, on the eve of the Inauguration, January 19th, we pray Archbishop John Carroll’s Prayer for the government of the United States composed in 1791.
As we rebound from the unfortunate events in Washington, we might look to the example of Rev. Martin Luther King who called for some much needed change in our country. His method was one of non-violence and prayer. His way did so much good and helped improve conditions for so many of our African American brothers and sisters. While not all problems were solved, many were. Let us hope that dialogue will replace diatribe (bitter and abusive speech), for what we are doing now isn’t working. May the Lord help us make the sacrifices necessary to bring healing to our country.
Fr. Carl
