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  • Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism
    • Sep 1, 2018
    • 19 min read

September 2018 Issue

Updated: Sep 7, 2018


A Message from the Editor


We welcome Msgr Peter Fleetwood from Liverpool as a member of our Editorial Advisors


We have tried to provide an overview of the sexual abuse crisis reports and the challenges we face. One of these reports is A crisis that is far from over: how the church can respond to sexual abuse by the Editors of America which we recommend to our readers. For a comprehensive overview of key reports on this crisis, please check out our Sexual Abuse Again Minors page in our Index.


These reports sadly may also cast a pall over the perception by some of the thousands of priests who dedicate their lives to the teachings of Christ. Some of us also may not be aware of the epidemic of priests being murdered globally, two of whom has their tongues cut off. Several of these current murders are covered in our September issue.

As the United States continues to progress as extremely bigoted society, we deeply appreciate Editorial Advisor Dt. Eugene Fisher’s powerful Reflection on Racism in America, the KKK, Neo-Nazism and White Supremacy.


In a world where class, dignity, integrity, and honor are often missing from politics, we mourn the passing of Senator John McCain. Please read Eileen Quinn Knight’s beautiful prayer for him in our prayers section.


We mourn the loss of nine-year-old Jamel Myles who committed suicide as a result of bullying, Please consider offering Father Louis Cameli’s prayer for Jamel in our Prayers section, Here are sine sad statistics on suide and bullying

  • Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people, resulting in about 4,400 deaths per year, according to the CDC. For every suicide among young people, there are at least 100 suicide attempts. Over 14 percent of high school students have considered suicide, and almost 7 percent have attempted it.

  • Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University

  • A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying

  • According to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying

Our silence on addressing these challenges contribute to the statistics


Please send a donation for help save the life of Alwin Rex.


Please check our Advocacy Section and read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If just a few if our readers could send a donation of $20.00 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 Father John. His mailing address is Fr. Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont-11003 , USA


In appreciation of Pope Francis’s visit to Ireland in August, there is an Irish subtext to our September issue with articles, books reviews, film reviews, and TV review by Irish writers.


In closing, my favorite Irish toast


May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields and, Until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Prayer of the Month


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


Quote of the Month


“It is not possible to remain indifferent before the knowledge that human beings are bought and sold like goods! I think of the adoption of children for the extraction of their organs, of women deceived and obliged to prostitute themselves, of workers exploited and denied rights or a voice, and so on. And this is human trafficking. It is precisely on this level that we need to make a good examination of conscience: how many times have we permitted a human being to be seen as an object, to be put on show in order to sell a product or to satisfy an immoral desire? The human person ought never to be sold or bought as if he or she were a commodity. Whoever uses human persons in this way and exploits them, even if indirectly, becomes an accomplice of injustice.” by Pope Francis


Interviews

General Articles/Commentaries

Articles and Commentaries on the United States Immoral Separations of Immigrant Children from their Parents

Advocacy

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


  • Please send a donation for help save the life of Alwin Rex. Please check our Advocacy Section and read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If just a few if our readers could send a donation of *20.00 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 Father John. His mailing address is Fr. Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont-11003 , USA

Book Reviews/Commentaries



Film Reviews/Commentaries

TV Reviews/Commentaries

Feasting with the Saints

Upcoming Events

Prayers


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 Jamel Myle

God of tender mercy,

who like a mother

takes and carries her children

In loving arms, receive your child Jamel

and all those children suffering

abuse, bullying, and great sadness.

Lift all of them to yourself,

touch them with your life-giving love,

and keep them in your peace. Amen by Father Louis Cameli, Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Murdered Children


Lord Jesus, once you reminded us to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, “

But this way? Broken, bleeding, violently?

You reminded us as well that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”


But again I want to ask why? School children? Just kids? Why did this happen? Why in Yemen? Why in Chicago? Why anywhere?

Then I remember how from the Cross you yourself prayed “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Your cry, your prayer, your agony, yes, your death was likewise the pledge of your love.

You died for those children. You died for us. You died for all so that all of us can indeed come to you.

Joined with you in your passion and death, we come to you.

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


A Prayer for the Queen of Soul

Precious Lord, bring your daughter, Aretha, into your heavenly embrace. We give thanks for the many gifts the Queen of Soul shared with us, born and nurtured in Your home and brought into the world for all. She was not just a singer, not just an entertainer, but will be remembered as a warrior who fought for respect for herself and for others. A true disciple of God, she used her gifts to give voice to the unheard and bring joy to the souls of all. Let her example and legacy inspire us and future generations to continue to tear down barriers and embrace the joy of the life You have given us. We thank You for the precious time we had with our sister and pray that You welcome your daughter home with open arms into your Heavenly choir. Amen.

by Lori Doyle Holy Name Cathedral Chicago. Il


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 , Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Washington, DC


A Prayer for Murdered Children


Lord Jesus, once you reminded us to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, “

But this way? Broken, bleeding, violently?

You reminded us as well that “the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”


But again I want to ask why? School children? Just kids? Why did this happen? Why in Yemen? Why in Chicago? Why anywhere?

Then I remember how from the Cross you yourself prayed “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Your cry, your prayer, your agony, yes, your death was likewise the pledge of your love. You died for those children. You died for us. You died for all so that all of us can indeed come to you.

Joined with you in your passion and death, we come to you.

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

A Prayer for Senator John McCain

Merciful God we ask you to welcome John McCain to his eternal home. He is a man who gave all that he could to our country and its citizens. We learned civil responsibility from Senator McCain. We acknowledge his striving for goodness and we recognize his call to follow the core values.


John McCain showed us the core value of perseverance.

What a wonderful life to celebrate as we think about John McCain’s devotion to America and all the warmth that is family. As early as the Viet Nam War McCain was totally invested in what would be good for the country. One of the most beloved incidents took place when he decided to stay with his fellow detainees in Viet Nam while he was offered early release because of his father’s and grandfather’s participation in the military. The toll on his body at this time was extremely damaging and debilitating.

John McCain showed us the core values of mercy and justice which were foundational values.


Six consecutive terms in the Senate as well as winning the Republican nomination for president gave us a clear indication of the dedication to the core values of our country. His mind, heart and soul reached out to help this country be safe and strive to find ways to make health care, finance, education and war issues that were good for all by Eileen Quinn Knight 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 , Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Washington, DC

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

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.


Videos


Fr. Gary Thomas, Exorcist and subject of the movie, "The Rite," explains the nature of evil.

by Queen of Peace Media


Share the Journey Campaign - Interview with Cardinal Tagle - Part 1


Share the Journey Campaign - Interview with Cardinal Tagle - Part 2

by PESCHKEN reports


A Jesuit with the People

by Corridan Project

Our Lady of Guadalupe Documentary - Amazing Scientific Analysis .

by Knight Light

Rosary: The Power & Promises of the Rosary

Immigration and the Catholic Church by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


Aretha Franklin Performance At White House 2015.

by Vanderson Matos

ARETHA FRANKLIN LIVE - AMAZING GRACE


by Marco Lo Russo accordion with strings orchestra





Become the Joy in Broken Communities - Midwest Capuchin Franciscan Vocations

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