Chicagoland

Annual service held to pray for a peaceful school year

By Joyce Duriga
Sunday, September 4, 2016

Annual service held to pray for a peaceful school year

Archbishop Cupich gives remarks and a blessing at the annual Back to School Sunrise Unity Prayer Service and Mass at Holy Angels Parish in Chicago on Aug. 27. The Mass, normally held at Oakwood Beach, was moved inside due to inclement weather. Father Larry Dowling, pastor of St. Agatha Parish, was the main celebrant and Father Mike Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Parish, was the homilist. At the prayer service, participants prayed together for an end to violence, and the healing of families, schools and communities. These prayer services are annually organized by the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Robin Watson from St. Malachy Parish sings during the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

A participant wears a T-shirt promoting peace. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Mark Henderson and his son Jason, parishioners at St. Martin de Porres Church, share a moment during the annual Back to School Sunrise Unity Prayer Service and Mass at Holy Angels Parish in Chicago on Aug. 27. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Father Michael Pfleger addresses the congregation during the homily. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Participants share the sign of peace. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Several participants wore T-shirts promoting messages of peace. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

The annual Back to School Sunrise Unity Prayer Service and Mass is organized by the Black Catholic Deacons of Chicago. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

A member of the choir sings during the service. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

A choir member provides music on the saxaphone. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Participants dance and clap during the Mass. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

A woman claps during the service. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

Jesus was a game changer. “He interrupted what was the status quo. Sisters and brothers, I think that is our challenge, that’s the challenge to all of us who dare call ourselves Christians,” St. Sabina’s Father Michael Pfleger preached at the Back to School Sunrise Unity Prayer Service on Aug. 27.

The service is usually held on Oakwood Beach but rain forced it to nearby Holy Angels Church.

“We are all too aware there is a death procession going on in Chicago,” Pfleger told the congregation who gathers annually to pray for a peaceful school year.

Violence is an epidemic in the city and nation, he added.

“We’re in a state of emergency. Our children are living in fear,” Pfleger said. “How can you get an education when you’re afraid to go to school and praying you get home from school alive?”

As of Aug. 30, 2,818 people had been shot in the city this year, according to the Chicago Tribune. The total shootings in 2015 numbered 2,988. In the month of August, Chicago had more shootings and homicides than New York City and Los Angeles combined.

“The question we want to ask ourselves is have we become immune” to the violence? Pfleger asked. “I’m not talking about the people out on the street. I’m talking about the church. Where is the church when all this is going on?”

What are we doing right now to fight against the violence in our community? he asked. God gave us the talents and ability to help and we must respond.

“Our membership is not who sits in our pews. Our membership is the city of Chicago,” he said.

At the end of Mass, Archbishop Cupich addressed the congregation.

“One word that I want to leave you with today that’s part of the Gospel and part of the message that you heard from Father Mike — risk,” the archbishop said. “Be willing to take a risk.”

Our nation has become riskaverse, he said, but we must reach out and take the talents God gave us for something beyond ourselves.

“Because when we don’t take risks we tell our children the future is bleak,” the archbishop said.