In response to the terrible and tragic shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon in the Archdiocese of Portland, I have sent the following pastoral message to the people who will be gathered in prayer this evening at St. Joseph Parish:
"My dearest brothers and sisters,
I am saddened beyond words over the tragedy that has struck your local
community and the campus of Umpqua Community College. Even though I am
unable to be physically present with you at this particular
moment, know that I am very much united with all of you in spirit and
in prayer. We are one body in Christ, and when even one member suffers,
we all suffer with them. My heart is indeed very heavy with sorrow as I
grieve with all of you.
Along with you, I cannot begin to make sense of the tragic loss of life
of our fellow community members and the many wounded in this terrible
and violent attack. Why such shooting tragedies continue to happen is
hard to understand. Sadly, we live in the midst of a culture that does
not value the dignity and sacredness of every human life as it once did.
We must unite our suffering and the suffering of all those most directly affected by this tragedy with the cross of Jesus. In Christ, sorrow, death and loss are transformed by the glory of the resurrection. Jesus has conquered sin and death and opened the way to eternal life. Let us prayerfully commend our deceased brothers and sisters to the mercy of our loving Father. Let us also pray for healing and strength for all those who grieve the loss of loved ones and who care for the wounded.
Know that I will continue to unite myself in prayer with all of you.
God bless you, and may the God of mercy keep you in his loving care now and forever
In Jesus and Mary,
Archbishop Sample"
We must unite our suffering and the suffering of all those most directly affected by this tragedy with the cross of Jesus. In Christ, sorrow, death and loss are transformed by the glory of the resurrection. Jesus has conquered sin and death and opened the way to eternal life. Let us prayerfully commend our deceased brothers and sisters to the mercy of our loving Father. Let us also pray for healing and strength for all those who grieve the loss of loved ones and who care for the wounded.
Know that I will continue to unite myself in prayer with all of you.
God bless you, and may the God of mercy keep you in his loving care now and forever
In Jesus and Mary,
Archbishop Sample"
1 comment:
Thanks so much for the comment. I try to put together my learning and experiece in terms of blog and feel great if this helps others.
Buy Catholic Audio Online
Post a Comment