top of page

March 15, 2020 Profiles in Catholicism

Writer: Profiles in CatholicismProfiles in Catholicism
Mar 14, 202015 min read


A Message from the Editor


There is a longstanding myth that there is a conflict between Christianity and Science. We hope that this issue of Profiles in Catholicism helps dispel this myth, especially with our Interview with Dr. Rudolf B. Brun.


I encourage our readers to read our interview with Francis Otieno. Years ago I worked in Africa as a caregiver and advocate for people with HIV/AIDS and I applaud Francis’ commitment to children affected with HIV disease and hope that our readers may help support his love of these children and his critical assistance with a donation...

This is the first time in more than ten years of publishing Profiles in Catholicism that we have asked for donations. There is a Donation request at the bottom of this issue.

The last video in our Video section of this issue is a song composed by Marco Lo Russo an Academy Award nominee, one of our Editorial Advisors, and dedicated to Pope Francis.


A Quote to Remember


“I would say that it falls to scientists, who work free of political, economic or ideological interests, to develop a cultural model which can face the crisis of climate change and its social consequences.”

by Pope Francis


Special Prayer


O Still speaking God! You, Transcendent One, create the Helix, the dance of life which builds and keeps creating! You, Immanent One, create us in your image, within that dancing Helix with you and all of life. You dance through space and time at one with all you have made; combining, re-combining, making all things new; You act both IN history and THROUGH linear time... Past, present and future come together in new steps. We cannot fully understand, O Ultimate Mystery, but we dance with you through space and time, Taking a part in your creative work which goes on and on. On this Science and Technology Sunday, We covenant with you and with the church in all its settings to serve you boldly and dynamically, Still speaking God, To join your dance of life, and share in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! And to this call, we respond: Amen. Let all the people say: AMEN!

by Servants of Mary


A Prayer for Those Who Died and Were Injured by the Tennessee Tornadoes


“Tennessee tornadoes’ death toll was tied to a lack of warning, awareness, and readiness”


In the face of disaster, we may consider Job.


He was a man who had everything: home, family, wealth. Then one day one messenger after another reported to him about the lost first of cattle, then of his sheep, and then of his camels. Lastly a messenger with this news:


“And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.


20 Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair. He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, 21 and said, “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back again. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” 22 In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.


In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.


“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;

blessed be the name of the LORD!”

O Lord, blessed be your name. (Job 1)

by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M. Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Syrian Refugees


Good and Gracious God,

Our lives are heavy with the sadness of this migrant crisis. Are we not all migrants? Our major thrust Lord is that of fleeing and finding. We are fleeing from an unsafe and unhappy​ place to a place of resolve so the families can live in peace. Find us, Lord, this place for our Syrian brothers and sisters. A place of rest and concern for each other. .According to Turkey, Lord, the Syrians launched an armed struggle against the Turkish government in the 1980s in a bid to form an independent Kurdish state within Turkey — is a terrorist organization. Why did the death of its soldiers push Turkey to act? Turkey, which agreed on a deal with Brussels to limit the number of EU-bound migrants in 2016, has long threatened to let refugees head for Europe. But experts say the death of its soldiers in Idlib was the straw that broke the camel’s back as Turkey’s concerns built up. So, why did it act now? Firstly, it wants to draw international attention to the crisis in Idlib, which it fears could send a fresh influx of refugees into Turkey, according to Sinan Ulgen, a former Turkish diplomat and expert with Carnegie Europe. But it also considers Brussels to have reneged on the 2016 deal and wants guarantees the EU will continue funding the hosting of refugees on its territory. Other experts say Turkey wants the EU to pressure Russia to stop supporting Syrian government troops and agree to a ceasefire. Lord, we need a cease-fire. Hear our prayers Lord and assist us in our sorrow. Around 90 percent of refugees in Turkey are from Syria and they are treated well compared to others. Let us treat all others as we would our families, Lord

by Eileen Quinn Knight, Ph.D. Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for Yemen


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 is our one God forever and ever.

Amen

by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


Coronavirus Prayer


Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.


Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.


Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.


Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” Come to our aid now, that we may experience your healing love.


Tweet this

Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.


Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.


Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

by Kerry Weber America


Interviews


General Articles/Commentaries

by Edwin Benson Return to Order

by Carol Glatz The Pilot


by Catholic News Agency/National Catholic Register


Link to Antisemitism and to Social Media

by Tara Isabella Burton Religion News Service



Link to Coronavirus

by Vatican News


by Kaya Oakes America


by Catholic News Agency/ National Catholic Register

by Charles C. Camosy. Purple Catholicism//Religion News Service


by IrishCentral Staff IrishCentral

by Brian Kelly Catholicism.org


by La Croix International staff La Croix International

by Mark Pattison Catholic News Service/Angelus



by Charles Collins Crux

by Crux Staff Crux

by Crux Staff Crux


by Independent Catholic News

by Matt Malone, S.J. America


by Jesus Caritas Est Catholic News World


Link to Abortion

by Catholic News Agency/AngelusSurrogacy bill needs review’by Times of India

by Greg Erlandson The Boston Pilot

by UCA News reporter UCANews.com

by La Croix International



by Nick Mayrand Crux

by Sarah Mac Donald EarthBeat


Link to Environment and Climate Challenges

by Bioethics.com


by Michael Sainsbury UCANews.com



by Sujata Jena Global Sisters Report


Link to Homeless

by Charles Collins Crux

by Catholic News Service/Crux

by Laura Teraci The Pilot


by Jessy Joseph Global sisters Report




Please support one of our organizations and people who need help


Book Reviews/Commentaries


Film Reviews/Commentaries


TV Reviews and Commentaries

Reviewed by Ryan Di Corpo America


Theater Reviews and Commentaries

  • Dana H. Reviewed by Rob Weinert-Kendt America

  • Bayano Reviewed by Retta Blaney National Catholic Reporter


Feasting with the Saints

Prayers


I Am Becoming a Catholic


He called me...At first it was a tiny call and I said:

"Well I am listening" He called again and again I said:

"I am listening"

Sometimes His voice is strong and clear,

other times I can hardly hear Him,

Sometimes He calls me when I am looking at a beautiful sunset,

Sometimes He calls me when I am helping to serve the homeless,

sometimes He calls me when I am out to dinner with friends.

I am still listening

He wants me to follow Him now and always.

He wants me to follow Him in joy and solitude.

He wants me to follow Him when others are in need.

He wants me to follow Him when I have chosen to hurt Him

and then say I am sorry.

He is after me night and day.

He is after me at the dawn of a new day.

He is after me when daylight disappears.

His never ending loving call is for ME!

I want to belong to Him and His Church.

I want His presence to become stronger in my everyday life.

I want Him to love me now and forever.

I say YES and again YES.

He hugs me with a strong embrace.

He and I are together with the rest of His followers. Now and forever. by Holy Name RC(A Committee 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


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 Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


Videos


Father George Coyne Interview - Richard Dawkins


Is Religion Opposed to Science?


Catholic Contributors to Science


The True Story of Padre Pio


The Truth About Jean Vanier


Clean Water For God's Thirsty Children


Marco Lo Russo - Ave Maria dedicated to Pope Francis



Join our mailing list

Never miss an update

© 2025 Profiles in Catholicism

Terms  |  Privacy  |  Accessibility

site  design/development petitetaway

bottom of page