Profiles in Catholicism
Nov 5, 201816 min
Updated: Dec 1, 2018
November was a month of unfathomable sadness. Millions are starving in Yemen including millions of children because of Saudi Arabia relentless bombing creating what some have described as the greatest humanitarian crisis in history. Antisemitism and racism have become global pandemics. Gun violence in the United States is unprecedented and people are being murdered daily as politicians are afraid to take reasonable steps to protect human life. The continued threats to life increase daily because of global warming. Fascism is starting to underscore many governments. We are evolving into a world marked by hatred of the other.
Let us pray that the new season of Advent will give us hope for a better world that reflects Christ’s infinite love for all of us.
Yemen Prayer
All merciful God,take and hold the people of Yemen,especially the children and other vulnerable people.Sustain the people of this war-torn land with your hope.Turn the hearts of aggressors to thoughts of peace.Stir the conscience of the international community, and enable international leaders to work for peace. Let none of us forget our brothers and sisters who struggle and suffer in a distant land,but help all of us to be for each other your true and generous children who know that your grace always outpaces our failures,and who acknowledge you the source of all our good who are our one God forever and ever. Amen
by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
Prayer of a Child in Yemen
If there is a god out there, please help us.
I don’t know much about gods, and whether everyone has the same god.
But we’ll take help from any god,
Especially since none of the humans who run the countries of the earth seem to care about us.
We are starving to death, the children of Yemen. We are starving to death,
50,000 of us so far, my mother tells me,
and another 2 million of us are barely hanging on.
They say it’s because of the civil war that started four years ago, that things are so bad,
But some of the old people say they can never remember a time when there was no war.
We can’t go to school because half of our schools have been destroyed by bombs.
We can’t go to the hospital when we need to, because most of our hospitals are gone too, and there’s too many sick people ahead of us.
Our only hope, they tell us, is to survive until we get older and we can be sold as a sex slave or become one of the soldiers who kill other people.I don’t know what a sex slave is, but it’s bound to be better than being a soldier.
I’ve seen too many of my friends die. I couldn’t bear to make other people die.
Please help us. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to play with my friends.
I feel too weak. My mother has to hold me when I stand up.
We just want to live like other human beings. Is that asking too much?
Amen
A prayer for California fire victims
Almighty God, who alone created the beauty and the bounty of our land, who cares and loves everyone—from the workers in the field to the owners of the field—be with your people in California now in the midst of the fires.
Bring an end to the loss of lives and the loss of homes. Bring aid to the firefighters who, by serving others, serve you. Give them courage and strength to persevere, to find the ability in their bodies and souls to keep working for another day or hour or minute. Ease the winds that spread the flames and disperse the smoke that covers the sky.
Bring hope to the displaced and the homeless. Keep alive inside their minds and hearts memories, the physical traces of which may be lost. Remind us that you are the promise of a new tomorrow.
cluded and cared for as we rebuild, guided by your Spirit. May our hearts never turn away from you or from each other in our time of need. May we see you in the faces of those in need. May we see your work in the hands of all those who reach out to help and in the green—the life!—that will soon return, by your hand, to our land.
Amen.
by Antonio De Loera-Brust. America
A Prayer for Those Who Were Murdered and Harmed in the Paradise Bar Massacre
O Lord in your great and wonderful providence your are at times mysterious as well.
You have created this universe and this world and pronounced them GOOD. Earth and air, fire and water are for our good. At times we may not see or know your purposes, but they are all of them good.This we believe: they are good.The blessing of salvation effected by your Jesus turns all things into good.For this we thank you.If we sometimes do not understand, still we thank you, in Jesus Christ the Lord.
by Father David O Brown, O,S.M. Profiles in Catholicism
Prayer for Samuel Jimenez
God of mercy and compassion, we beg your arms of welcome embrace your servant, Chicago Police Officer Samuel Jimenez. While his watch has come to an end on this earth, may he watch over his family and all of us from his rightful place in heaven.
We pray you envelop in strength and grace Sam's loving mother, Esther, his devoted wife, Crystal, and his beautiful children, Ebony, Julian and Angelina.
May Sam and the other 582 true Chicago heroes who have lost their lives in the line of duty REST IN PEACE.
By Fr. Dan Brandt , CPD Chaplain Profiles in Catholicism
“Jesus teaches us another way: Go out. Go out and share your testimony, go out and interact with your brothers, go out and share, go out and ask. Become the Word in body as well as spirit”
by Pope Francis
A cure for cancer: how to kill a killer
by Charles Graeber The Observer/The Guardian Link to Cancer
Responding to the Unique Challenge of Nuclear Weapons
by Parliament of Religions”
Link to Nuclear War
For the principal with the most homeless students in L.A., the reality of poverty is personal
by Steve Lopez The Los Angeles Times Link to Homeless
Man tries to run down Jews leaving Los Angeles synagogue by Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Anti-Semitic vandalism painted outside Jewish homes in Seattle
by Jewish Telegraphic Agency
New Tests Allow “Screening” of Low-IQ Babies
by Fr Matthrew P.Schneider Patheos Link to ProLife Challenges
German man, 95, charged as accessory to murder of more than 36,000 at concentration camp
by Jewish Telegraphic Agency
UN Says Climate Genocide Is Coming. It’s Actually Worse Than That
by David Wallace-Wells Intelligencer
Link to Environment Challenges
Gunmen attack Chinese consulate in Karachi
by Asad Hashim Aljazerra
NCR Connections: New series explores how Jews appreciate Catholic tradition
by Tom Roberts National Catholic Reporter
Drug killings bring rights drive in Philippine diocese
by Bong SarmientoUCANews.com
Detained Chinese priests subjected to 'brainwashing'
by Joseph Chan UCANews.com
Catholic priest shot dead
by Independent Catholic News
Famine in Yemen could become one of worst in living memory, UN says
by Emma Graham-Harrison The Guardian
How Facebook’s P.R. Firm Brought Political Trickery to Tech
by Jack Nicas The New York Times
Indonesian priest sets mentally ill free
by Ryan Dagur La Croix International
Victims of violence at Chicago hospital, St. Louis store mourned
by Catholic News Service/Angelus
Do I Need therapy?
by Julia Hogan, LCPC Mind and Spirit
Link to Mental Health/Illness
Opioids, Pain Management, and Addiction: Balancing Ethical Duties
by Father Tadeusz Pacholczwk Echoes
Link to Substance Abuse/Addiction
DC man arrested after saying Pittsburgh synagogue killings ‘were a dry run’
by Jewish Telegraph Agency
A priest’s suicide: A sign of hopelessness?
by Celine Hoyeau La Croix International
Kenyan Jesuit killed in South Sudan after an attack on a school compound
by Kevin Clarke America
Benedict XVI’s Letter to Fr. Lombardi Supporting the Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation
by Zerit Staff
Thai boxing: sport or child abuse? Death of 13-year-old fighter renews calls to ban competitive bouts featuring children
by Tibor Krausz La Croix International
The Very Busy Life of an Immigrants’ Rights Priest in 2018
by Fabrice Robinet The New York Times
Anticipating a reforming pope’s radical plan to curtail the Roman Curia
by CathNews New Zealand
What Parents Need to Know about Enterovirus D68
by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Hate crimes rising among young people
by Deacon Greg Kandra Patheos
Lucy McBath lost her son to gun violence. Now, she wants to fight the hate that fuels it.
by Lucia McBath America
A Vaccine for Depression? Ketamine’s remarkable effect bolsters a new theory of mental illness.
by Taylor Beck Pocket
Northern Irish diocese suspends ‘sign of peace’ amid flu fears
by La Croix International staff
Stan Lee showed us nerds (and Catholics) can be heroes
by Jim McDermott America
Nuns offer people without use of limbs a means of livelihood
by Joachim Pham National Catholic Reporter
Link to Disabilities
In North Korea, Missile Bases Suggest a Great Deception
by David E. Sanger and William J. Broad The New York Times
Remembering all the fallen
by Stephanie Taylor Anglican Communion News Service
Catholic and Jewish women focus on forgiveness at annual conference
by Angelus Staff
Teens caught on video making human bridge out of boy with cerebral palsy
by Kendra Mann ABC3340
Holy See urges practical, effective action against human trafficking, slavery
by Robin Gomes Vatican News
Link to Human Trafficking
France hit by 69% rise in anti-Semitic acts
by Saskya Vandoorne and James Masters CNN
Catholic healthcare system to shutter DC hospital serving most vulnerable
by Eileen Markey National Catholic Reporter
Pakistan: How Does the Blasphemy Law Work?
by Eva-Maria Kolmann Zerit
Francis, the comic strip
by Pat Marrin National Catholic Reporter
‘May their memory be a blessing’: NBC closes the Nightly News with the Kaddish
by Deacon Greg Kansra Patheos
Westminster Abbey hosts Christians and Jews to remember Kristallnacht on 80th anniversary
by Anglican Communion News Service
Who Represents the Laity?
by Massimo Faggioli Commonweal
To the Members of the Pittsburgh Jewish Community
by Holocaust Survivors who volunteer at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The Day of Fate Kristallnacht, on its 80th anniversary, still offers a potent lesson
by David Frum The Atlantic
Children have rights no matter where they are
by Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp Vatican News
Link to Child Outreach/Protection
Lessons on Gratitude From a Leper
by Shemaiah Gonzolez Busted Halo
Link to Leprosy
U.S. appeals court: Trump can't end DACA program
by Catholic News Service/Angelus
Tim Berners-Lee launches campaign to save the web from abuse
by Ian Sample The Guardian
London churches stage “serious violence summit” as youth crime soars
by Anglican Communion News Service
Pope wants Charismatics to dialogue with Evangelicals and Pentecostals Charis, a new body created by the Vatican, will replace two existing international structures of the Charismatic Renewal
by Marie Malzac La Croix International
Pope Francis advocates for global access to clean drinking water
by Courtney Grogan Catholic News Agency/Angelus
Why Catholics care about people living in poverty
by Sister Susan Rose Francois, C.S.J.P Vision Vocation Network
Link to Poverty
A tale of three missionaries They were different people and times but all went to the Philippines and faced the same challenges, issues and obstacles
by Melo Acuna La Croix International
Q & A with Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck on collaboration in anti-trafficking work
by Dawn Araujo-Hawkins Global Sisters Report
Link to Human Trafficking
Peacemaking begins at home by saying 'no' to rivalry, pope says at Mass
by Catholic News Service/The Pilot
U.S. Law Enforcement Failed to See the Threat of White Nationalism. Now They Don’t Know How to Stop It
by Janet Reitmannov The New York Times Magazine
Link to White Supremacy
A Black Church Mourns With Pittsburgh ‘Sister’ Synagogue — Cementing A Bond Forged In Struggle
by Aiden Pink Forward
Against Catchphrase Theology
by Nicholas Senz The Catholic Thing
Faith and levity
by Father Ronald Rolheiser, OMI Angelus
Analysis: Benedict XVI’s unpublished letter—God is key to understanding human rights
by Andrea Gagliarducci, Catholic News Agency
How Do We Keep the Faith? “Marvel’s Daredevil” & Christianity
by Colten Biro, SJ The Jesuit Post
London: Service for homeless people who died in past year
by Jo Siedleck Independent Catholic News
‘Kill all Jews’ graffiti suspect had a dark online alter-ego
by Ruth Weissmann and Laura Italiano The New York Post
After Pittsburgh: hope instead of hatred
by Ron Kronish Times of Israel
Two Chinese priests placed in detention
by UCANews.com reporter
Link to Catholicism and China
Anti-Semitism has affected generations of Canadian Jews.
by Allan Levine The Globe and Mail
Cardinal Cupich: The Church Must Stand Against The Rise Of Xenophobia
by Gerard O’Connell America
You Must Not Hurt People
by Mary Pezzulo Patheos
Ilana Glazer Event at Synagogue Canceled Over Violent, Anti-Semitic Graffiti
by Amanda Arnold Vulture
Norbertines launch digital library from their California abbey
by Mary Rezac Catholic News Agency/Angelus
Central American bishops appeal for Anglican Communion solidarity over migrant caravan
by Anglican Communion News Service
52 percent of Americans say abortion is a sin
by Ligonier Ministries/Cision
Link to Abortion
A Survivor’s Perspective: Sexual Abuse in the Church
By Billy Critchley-Menor, SJ The Jesuit Post For more information on the Environment, link to Sexual Violence Against Minors
In northeastern Kenya, Catholic priest finds, rescues vulnerable children
by America
“Nazi Gun Control Theory” is Antisemitic Victim-Blaming
by Rebecca Cratten Weiss Patheos
Yemen Girl Who Turned World’s Eyes to Famine Is Dead
by Declan Walsh The New York Times
The Present Moment: A Christian Approach to Mindfulness
by Dr. Gregory Bottaro Mind and Spirit
Another deadly Islamic attack on Egyptian Copts
by Dr. Ashraf Ramelah Voice of the Copts
Pittsburgh Parishes Asked to Collect Funds for Jewish Congregations
by Catholic News Service/Orange County Catholic
Please send a donation for help save the life of Alwin Rex. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If just a few of our readers could send a donation of $10.00 toward his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. His mailing address is Fr. Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont-, New York 11003 , USA
When Children are Set Free
by Shay Cullen, Mssc Preda Foundation
Aiming high: Irish charity wants to impact five million African students
by Susan Gately Catholic Ireland.net
Help International Rescue Committee save lives in Yemen and worldwide.
Help save the lives of people in Kenya who are dying from lack of access to clean water. please read our interview with Father Joseph Mungai, FMH.
Whether They Are Young or Old, Hungry or Addicted, Homeless or Friendless... Catholic Charities sees the face of God in those in need. By providing food, clothing, shelter and counseling, we bring hope to the hopeless in the city of Chicago and its suburbs. With 150 programs at 153 locations throughout Cook and Lake counties, we serve virtually every neighborhood and parish in the Chicagoland area. Through our broad spectrum of services, we annually assist more than 1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. For more than 98 years, Catholic Charities has empowered families and individuals of all races and religious backgrounds to realize their full potential. Our services help people from the point of conception through the last stages of their lives. We keep mothers and their babies well-fed, prepare children in low-income families for school, keep youth in school and out of gangs, counsel and give job training to adults with economic troubles, provide affordable housing for seniors, and organize in-homecare services for seniors who need help caring for themselves. donations@catholiccharities.net
Only 8 cents of every dollar donated goes toward our administrative expenses; the rest goes directly to help clients. While Catholic Charities raises funds separately from the Archdiocese of Chicago, we serve as the social service arm of the church
Support Capuchin Community Services At the Capuchin Community Services, we support those who cannot support themselves. We are grateful to you for your support whether it be through prayer, through donated goods, or through financial donation. Please be assured that we are careful stewards of your trust. We welcome contributions of any size. All are acknowledged and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Capuchin Community Services is a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. Unless otherwise directed, donations support the local ministry and the Province. To donate through the mail: Capuchin Community Services PO Box 05830 Milwaukee, WI 53205-0830
Finding God in the Mess
by Jim Deeds and Brendan McManus, S.J.
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism
The Human Person: A Bioethical Word
by Francis Etheredge
Reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight, PhD Profiles in Catholicism
Catholic Bishops in the United States: Church Leadership in the Third Millennium
Commentary by Stephen J. Fichter, Thomas P. Gaunt, Catherine Hoegeman and Paul M. Perl America
Il Giorno del Giudizio” (“Judgment Day”)
Commentary by Junno Arocho Esteves Catholic News Service/America
The Hate U Give
Reviewed by Emma Winters America
Hell Spawn
Commentary by Declan Finn Catholic Geeks
The Quiet American
Commentary by Nick Ripatrazone America
Refuge In Hell
by Ronald D. Lemmert Reviewed by George Williams America
Night of Camp David by Fletcher Knebel, Commentary by GoodReads
Boy Erased
Reviewed by Chris Williams, SJ The Jesuit Post
Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer
Commentary by Sr. Rose Pacatte National Catholic Reporter
Fathers and Sons
Commentary by Abraham Riesma Vulture
Day of a Stranger
Commentary by Carl McColman Patheos
The Happy Prince
Commentary by Eve Tushnet America
Bohemian Rhapsody
Reviewed by John Anderson America
Instant Family
Reviewed by Dewayne Hambmy Patheos
The Crimes of Grindelwald
Reviewed by Colten Biro, SJ The Jesuit Post
Our Lady, LTD
Commentary by Kate O'Hara Patheos
American Vandal
Reviewed by Jim McDermott America
The Waverly Gallery
Reviewed by Rob Weinert-Kendt America
A Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Abuse by the Clergy
God, in your providential love you comfort those who are wounded and afflicted.
Hear our prayers for those who have suffered abuse by those in their families or by those entrusted with their care.
In a special way, we pray for those who suffered abuse by clergy who betrayed a sacred trust and who were meant to
stand for your loving presence in their lives.
May those who have been hurt find support and encouragement in communities of faith, hope, and love.
May they discover healing in genuinely loving and caring relationships.
May they reclaim hope for themselves.
May they be strengthened and confirmed in their resolve to set things aright.
May they rest in you who make all things work for the good.
Amen
by Father Louis J Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to Prevent Nuclear War
Lord God, you created life and beauty in this world. You then entrusted the human community with caring for, and enhancing, your creation. Strengthen us, we pray, in this challenging time when the power to destroy this creation has grown so dangerously. Lead us on a road of peace, a road that includes a program of removing all nuclear weapons from our earth. We cannot hope to meet this challenge without your continuing presence and support. For this we make our prayerful plea in your name.
by John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Migrant Children
Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration, separation, and
abuse.
Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them.
Make our hearts more ,loving and willing to do the right thing by them.
May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity.
We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence
Amen
by Father Louis J. Cameli Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to End Racism
As we gather together for prayer and communion, we are reaffirming our commitment to love unconditionally, welcome all people and work to root out the cancer of racism that betrays our faith and country’s highest principles.”
by The Rev. Dr. Darryl Roberts, Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington. DC
A Prayer for East Africa
O Lord, with so much tragedy going on in our own country,
children separated from their parents at our borders,
needy asylum seekers turned away,
against the spirit of all that we stand for,
as stated on the Statue of Liberty,
help us to think of, pray for, and find the means to help others
around the world,
especially the millions of people facing starvation
in East Africa.
We are called by the Jewish prophets and by Jesus
to help all in need, and our country has the resources to do so.
Help us to work together with other nations around the world
to raise awareness of the desperation of the East Africans,
and to pool our resources to send them food and medical aid,
so that they may survive
and help others to survive
and thrive.
We ask this in the name of our Loving Father, the Son who sacrificed his life for all,
and the Holy Spirit who permeates all reality and the hearts and souls of all humans.
Amen
by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse
God of endless love,
ever caring, ever strong,
always present, always just:
You gave your only Son
To save us by the blood of his cross.
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
join to your own suffering
the pain of all who have been hurt
in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
Hear our cries as we agonize
over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.
Breathe wisdom into our prayers,
soothe restless hearts with hope,
steady shaken spirits with faith:
Show us the way to justice and wholeness,
enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
heal your people’s wounds
and transform our brokenness.
Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,
so that we may act with justice
and find peace in you.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
by Christian Peschken Profiles in Catholicism
A Prayer to End Gun Violence
Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem,
Before your passion,
As your people waved palms in your honor,
You saw the city and wept over it because you
Loved it.
You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer
In that beloved city
still you loved it and wept over it.
Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them,
Love them and protect them.
Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer
Violence and chaos.
Weep over us and love us.
Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19)
by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism
Prayer for Immigrants and Refugees
Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like
your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.
Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,
To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;
To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.
We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of
the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking
God of freedom, beauty and truth
we believe that your deepest desire,
your most powerful energy,
is that all creation might know abundant life.
We raise our voices in anguished prayer
for our sisters and brothers,
women and girls, men and boys,
who are modern day slaves;
They are your beloved daughters and sons,
exploited sexually or forced to work
because of human violence and greed.
Fill us with your holy anger and your sacred passion
that those who are trafficked might know healing and justice;
that traffickers will come to repentance and conversion;
that all of us might live in such a way
that others are not made to pay the price
for our comfort and convenience.
Hasten the coming of the day when all people
and our precious Earth itself
will be treated, not as a commodity,
but as radiant images of your freedom, beauty and truth.
Amen. May it be so.
by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth
,Convent Station, N.J.
Ave Maria - Marco Lo Russo Coro Voces del Mar OEPV Made in Italy concert Teatro Vallarta Mexico 2018
by Marco Lo Russo Rouge
Bas Rutten Shares His Journey to Faith
by Anthem Philly
Disabled homeless man's hardship
by Catholic News Service
The Catholic Church's Response to Human Trafficking
by Catholic Church England and Wales
Pope Francis visits WCC Geneva 70th Anniversary
by Christian Peschken PESCHKEN reports
Is Stephen Hawking Right About God?
by Brandon Vogt and Bishop Robert Barron
The Beauty of the Catholic Church
by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Joy of the Gospel: Reflections from Catholic Theological Union Faculty.
by Rev. Richard Fragomeni
Children dying of starvation in Yemen's conflict
by BBC News