The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides these liturgical resources for commemoration of September 11 (also known as "Patriot Day").
Other resources are also available online. For example, the Sisters of Mercy have shared this Prayer of Remembrance and prayers for use as intercessions in liturgy are available here.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Saturday, September 7, 2019
Calendar for Season of Creation
The Sisters of Charity of Cincinatti have published this calendar for the Season of Creation (September 1 - October 4), with suggestions of small, daily tasks that could make a big impact on our care for creation.
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Stop Trafficking Newsletter for September
The September 2019 issue of Stop Trafficking is available here.
Season of Creation: Laudato Si
As we mentioned previously, the "Season of Creation" is celebrated by Christians annually from September 1 through October 4. Perhaps this is a good time to continue to experience the richness of Laudato Si, Pope Francis' 2015 Encylical about the "care for our common home." The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has provided a Discussion Guide for Laudato Si (available here). During the Season of Creation, we will share portions of that guide.
Excerpts from Laudato Si:
"I urgently appeal . . . for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all" (n. 14).
"The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all" (n. 23).
"The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change" (n. 13).
As you read Laudato Si through paragraph 61, consider these questions:
1. Pope Francis calls for dialogue that includes "everyone." Who should be included in the conversation who may not currently be? With whom are Catholics called to dialogue about the future of our common home?
2. The climate belongs to all and is meant for all, yet a disproportionate amount of the earth's resources are consumed by the United States and other wealthy countries. What does Pope Francis propose must happen in order to address this?
Excerpts from Laudato Si:
"I urgently appeal . . . for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all" (n. 14).
"The climate is a common good, belonging to all and meant for all" (n. 23).
"The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change" (n. 13).
As you read Laudato Si through paragraph 61, consider these questions:
1. Pope Francis calls for dialogue that includes "everyone." Who should be included in the conversation who may not currently be? With whom are Catholics called to dialogue about the future of our common home?
2. The climate belongs to all and is meant for all, yet a disproportionate amount of the earth's resources are consumed by the United States and other wealthy countries. What does Pope Francis propose must happen in order to address this?
Sunday, September 1, 2019
Prayer for Labor Day
The USCCB has released this statement for Labor Day 2019 and has provided this Prayer for the Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers:
Lord God, Master of the Vineyard,
How wonderful that you have invited us
who labor by the sweat of our brow
to be workers in the vineyard
and assist your work
to shape the world around us.
As we seek to respond to this call,
make us attentive to those who seek work
but cannot find it.
Help us to listen to the struggles of those
who work hard to provide for their families
but still have trouble making ends meet.
Open our eyes to the struggles of those exploited
and help us speak for just wages and safe conditions,
the freedom to organize, and time for renewal.
For work was made for humankind
and not humankind for work.
Let it not be a vehicle for exploitation
but a radiant expression of our human dignity.
Give all who labor listening hearts
that we may pause from our work
to receive your gift of rest.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit
that you might work through us to let your justice reign.
Amen.
Lord God, Master of the Vineyard,
How wonderful that you have invited us
who labor by the sweat of our brow
to be workers in the vineyard
and assist your work
to shape the world around us.
As we seek to respond to this call,
make us attentive to those who seek work
but cannot find it.
Help us to listen to the struggles of those
who work hard to provide for their families
but still have trouble making ends meet.
Open our eyes to the struggles of those exploited
and help us speak for just wages and safe conditions,
the freedom to organize, and time for renewal.
For work was made for humankind
and not humankind for work.
Let it not be a vehicle for exploitation
but a radiant expression of our human dignity.
Give all who labor listening hearts
that we may pause from our work
to receive your gift of rest.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit
that you might work through us to let your justice reign.
Amen.
Season of Creation
From September 1 to October 4, Christians around the world celebrate the Season of Creation. Click here to read the Message of the Holy Father for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1). In his Message, the Pope points out that this is a season for letting our prayer be inspired anew by closeness to nature, for reflecting on our lifestyles, and for undertaking prophetic actions. He concludes: "Each Christian man and woman, every member of the human family, can act as a thin, yet unique and indispensable thread in weaving a network of life" that embraces everyone. May we feel challenged to assume, with prayer and commitment, our responsibility for the care of creation. May God, 'the love of life' (Wis 11:26), grant us the courage to do good without waiting for someone else to begin, or until it is too late."
Friday, August 30, 2019
Fire at Straight and Narrow
Many of our readers are familiar with Straight and Narrow, an addiction treatment facility operated by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Paterson, NJ. On August 24, a devastating fire caused the loss of one of the facility's buildings. Thankfully, no one was injured, but much was lost. Please click here to go to Straight and Narrow's donation page, where you will find information about financial and in-kind donations. Let's continue to pray for everyone at Straight and Narrow as they rebuild.
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