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Flags
were lowered to half staff on Tuesday, 11
September as we joined the nation and the world in shock and sadness at the
senseless acts of violence that took place in New York and in
Washington, D.C.
Many of us have visited these wonderful cities. Our memories will be forever clouded by the events of this tragic day.
Our hearts to out to the victims of this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with those who have died and their family members and friends. We stand in support of the families of those whose location is not yet known. We pray too for those who were injured and the many who have come to their aid and continue to be part of the rescue effort.
We reflect upon these events with shock and sadness, but also as people of faith. We know that God is stronger than anything. Good will overcome evil. Light will overcome darkness.
Stop back in the days to come. This page will be updated often. Stop too, and add your reflections and prayer intentions. Just click the banner link below.
May God continue to bless and strengthen you and those you love. "Be still and know that I am God." ~Psalm 46:10
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We have
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The next step. Click here for much more!
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Citizens of the World
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click this banner for statements by Pope John Paul II,
Bishop Burke and Cardinal Egan
Telegram from Pope John Paul II to President Bush
Talking with Children about Violence
Talking with Teens after the terrorist
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with lots of resources
Prayer in this time of Crisis
forwarded by Ruth V. in Worcester, MA
World Shock and Support for our Country
Scripture Readings for Catholic Funerals
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A Calming
Psalm
"Be still and know that I am
God."
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I
have long used Psalm 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God |
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the LORD;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow,
and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
"Be still, and know that I am God!I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth."
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.Psalm 46:1-11
Statement of his Eminence,
EDWARD CARDINAL EGANSeptember 11, 2001 has been a day of tragedy here in the City of New York, in our nation's capital, and across the land. We here in New York have been dealing with this tragedy as best we could from 9:00 in the morning until now, when the skies are darkening and we have an opportunity to reflect on what has happened. These are what I hope and trust will be the reflections of the noble, courageous citizenry of New York City. First, we are not afraid. We are a courageous people living and working under the guidance and with the love of Divine Providence. Secondly, we remain at peace in the face of the tragedy that has beset us. Our peace is grounded in that confident trust in providence. Finally, we call for justice. We insist that those who have committed this crime be called before the courts of civilized people. We must not, however, allow our pursuit of justice to descend into sentiments of hate and retaliation.
Today I have witnessed the generosity and heroism of the police officers, fire fighters and health care professionals of the City of New York. They have been an inspiration to me, and I am confident they are that for all of my fellow New Yorkers.
To the families of those who have died we extend our heartfelt sympathy. They and their loved ones are in our thoughts and in our prayers. Likewise, all who are injured may be sure that we hold them in our hearts and look forward to their complete and speedy recovery.
To the President of these United States and his administration, to the Mayor of the City of New York and his administration, and to the Mayor of the City of Washington, D.C. and his administration, we express our loyalty and promise our support at this difficult time. With the help of our God and united as free men and women under God, we wipe away our tears, roll up our sleeves, do what needs to be done, and look confidently to the future.
The Catholic Churches throughout the United States are asked to respond to Tuesday’s national tragedy. The best way for those in the Midwest to respond is to contribute funds and blood.
MONETARY DONATIONS to Catholic Charities USA can be made by calling 1-800-919-9338, or online at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org by clicking on the donation button.
BLOOD DONATIONS: The American Red Cross will continue its regularly scheduled donation procedure. They stress that donations will be needed continuously over the next weeks and months because blood does have a limited shelf life. Red blood cells are only good for six weeks and platelets are good for only five days. Based on Tuesday’s trauma, the Red Cross has an urgent need for blood now and it will continue for the next four weeks or more as victims undergoing burn care or multiple surgeries need transfusions. Please watch for blood drives in your area and give blood. For more information, see www.redcross.org .
POPE
EXPRESSES "SHOCK" AT
"INHUMAN TERRORIST ATTACKS" ON U.S.
VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the text of the telegram sent yesterday afternoon by Pope John Paul to U.S. President George W. Bush, following terrorist attacks earlier in the morning in Washington, D.C. and New York City, causing an untold number of victims and incalculable damage:
"Shocked by the unspeakable horror of today's inhuman terrorist attacks against innocent people in different parts of the United States I hurry to express to you and your fellow citizens my profound sorrow and my closeness in prayer for the nation at this dark and tragic moment. Commending the victims to Almighty God's eternal mercy, I implore His strength upon all involved in rescue efforts and in caring for the survivors. I beg God to sustain you and the American people in this hour of suffering and trial."
Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls also released a statement yesterday regarding the news of the tragedy which occurred in the United States:
"The Holy Father has been constantly informed of the events related to this enormous tragedy. From the very first moment He prayed to God to give eternal repose to the souls of the many, many victims and courage and comfort to their families.
"The Holy Father wished immediately to send a message to the president of the United States to express his closeness and that of the entire Church to him and to the American people in this moment of suffering and trial.
"The Holy Father expresses great condemnation for this violence which only destroys."
TGR/TERRORISM:US/NAVARRO-VALLS VIS 20010912 (270)
POPE: SORROW
AND CONDEMNATION
FOR YESTERDAY'S TRAGEDY IN U.S.
VATICAN CITY, SEP 12, 2001 (VIS) - The Pope dedicated today's general audience, celebrated in St. Peter's Square, to yesterday's tragedy in the United States, expressing his very great condemnation and his assurance of spiritual closeness to the families of the dead and the injured.
Following is a large part of the text read by the Holy Father, which replaced the traditional catechesis of the general audience:
"I cannot begin this audience without expressing my profound sorrow at the terrorist attacks which yesterday brought death and destruction to America, causing thousands of victims and injuring countless people. To the President of the United States and to all American citizens I express my heartfelt sorrow. In the face of such unspeakable horror we cannot but be deeply disturbed. I add my voice to all the voices raised in these hours to express indignant condemnation, and I strongly reiterate that the ways of violence will never lead to genuine solutions to humanity's problems.
"Yesterday was a dark day in the history of humanity, a terrible affront to human dignity. After receiving the news, I followed with intense concern the developing situation, with heartfelt prayers to the Lord. How is it possible to commit acts of such savage cruelty? The human heart has depths from which schemes of unheard-of ferocity sometimes emerge, capable of destroying in a moment the normal daily life of a people. But faith comes to our aid at these times when words seem to fail. Christ's word is the only one that can give a response to the questions which trouble our spirit. Even if the forces of darkness appear to prevail, those who believe in God know that evil and death do not have the final say. Christian hope is based on this truth; at this time our prayerful trust draws strength from it.
"With deeply felt sympathy I address myself to the beloved people of the United States in this moment of distress and consternation, when the courage of so many men and women of good will is being sorely tested."
Before the conclusion of the audience, the Pope and the faithful prayed for the Churches of the East and the West, and, in particular, for the Church in the United States and for heads of state "so order that, not allowing themselves to be dominated by hatred and the spirit of retaliation, they do everything possible to keep weapons of destruction from sowing new hatred and new death and strive to bring light to the darkness of human affairs with works of peace."
AG/TERRORISM:US/... VIS 20010912 (440)
God our Father, Almighty God, through Jesus Christ your Son, who defeated evil in His death and resurrection, and in whose blood we pray, and in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, given to us in our Baptism, multiplied by the grace of God:
You have promised that where evil abounds, grace abounds the more! You have promised in your holy word that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise a standard against it! Standing on these promises, we join together as the Body of Christ to pray for Your deliverance from this enemy attack. We ask for your protection against further attacks. We ask you to send in an army of your holy angels to block further attacks, to blind the enemy with your holy face shining through the faces of your angels, to deafen the enemy's ears by speaking your holy word of truth into their ears, in order to stop them from networking with each other and furthering their evil plans.
We ask you God, to assist those who are in need of being rescued. Send in your holy angels in physical form to lift them and carry them away from danger, regardless of whether these are children who believe in you or not, for they are all your children. Send in holy angels to assist the human rescuers, to protect them and to lead them to those who need rescuing and to lead them safely back out.
We ask you, loving God, to send your spirit of comfort to all those who are frightened, all those who have just lost loved ones, and all of the nation and the world who are shaken by this evil tragedy.
Lord may those who have died and who will die in this tragedy experience your great mercy. Grant that their souls be saved through the Blood Christ Jesus shed for them, and grant that they join you in Heaven today!
We ask You, spirit of wisdom, to guide all the decision makers, from our President on down to the least of those who are aiding in the recovery from this disaster or in the protection from further attack. Protect them from discouragement as they work of the good of all of us. Guide them and their actions through this entire experience. And we add to this that your Holy Spirit will rush in and speak to all those who have been involved in making this disaster and who are planning more. They are Your children, also, even if they don't know you. We pray for their souls. We ask that your Holy Spirit bring them to conversion and repentance and a change of heart and mind, in time to prevent further disasters.
And Lord Jesus, teach us to love our enemies. Direct our thoughts and feelings, anger and fear, into prayers of love for those who need Your redemption most. Lord, have mercy on them, have mercy on us all, lead all souls to You, especially those who are right now in most need of Your mercy!
You have promised in Romans 8:28 that all things will be worked for the good of those who love the Lord. Our nation was founded on faith in you, O Lord, and we ask you to forgive this nation from all that we have done against this faith. Grant by your infinite mercy that what is happening today can be turned around for your glory!
May one of the good benefits that come from this be an increased conversion and faith in you -- throughout our nation and all around the world!
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. AMEN.
Mother Mary, pray for us! Pray for the conversion of all those who are involved in this tragedy who still do not know your Son. Pray for our protection. Through the strength and grace of God, may the forces of evil be crushed beneath your heel.
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