September 14, 2016 // Uncategorized

Day of prayer aims to begin restoring peace to U.S. communities

Todays Catholic

A prayer vigil for the National Day of Prayer for Peace in our Communities was held Friday, Sept. 9, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne.

WASHINGTON — Prayers for peace at Catholic schools and parishes around the country Sept. 9 were meant to “build relationships and plant seeds in people’s minds and hearts” said Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, La. He said the nationwide celebration of a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities should “raise awareness” of violence and racism within communities and empower people to do the work needed to restore racial harmony.

“We always begin with prayer, which prompts us to action,” said the bishop in a Sept. 8 telephone news conference. Bishop Fabre is a member of the new task force, chaired by Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, that supports the bishops in marking the day of prayer and in other efforts to promote peace and healing.

Named the USCCB Task Force to Promote Peace in Our Communities, the group will finish its work with a report on its activities and recommendations for future efforts at the November General Assembly of U.S. bishops.

University of Notre Dame’s Center for Social Concerns organized ND students, faculty, administrators, police, clergy, staff and alumni as participants lit candles and prayed by name for 24 citizens and police who lost their lives to violence. The marchers prayed for peace and racial justice at Geddes Hall, as well as at statues of the Sacred Heart and Father Sorin.