On July 8, in his initial response to the racially related shootings in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis and Dallas, Louisville Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, noted the need to look at ways the Catholic Church can walk with and help these suffering communities. He announced a National Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities on the feast of St. Peter Claver, Sept. 9. “I have stressed the need to look toward additional ways of nurturing an open, honest and civil dialogue on issues of race relations, restorative justice, mental health, economic opportunity, and addressing the question of pervasive gun violence,” Archbishop Kurtz said. “The Day of Prayer and special Task Force will help us advance in that direction. By stepping forward to embrace the suffering, through unified, concrete action animated by the love of Christ, we hope to nurture peace and build bridges of communication and mutual aid in our own communities.” The Archdiocese of Chicago will recognize this day with a 7 p.m. prayer vigil in the spirit of Taizé on Sept. 8 at Holy Name Cathedral. All are welcome to participate. For resources and more information, visit the website of the Office for Divine Worship at www.odw.org.
Parishes, schools answer pope’s call to pray for peace Catholics at parishes and schools across the Archdiocese of Chicago observed Oct. 27 as a day of prayer and fasting for peace, heeding Pope Francis’ call “for all those who have at heart the cause of peace in the world” to join him in light of the conflict in the Middle East.
Waukegan parish hosts city’s first gun buyback event When Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan hosted its city’s first-ever gun buyback event on April 29 in partnership with the Waukegan Police Department, 166 firearms were collected along with rounds of ammunition.
Cardinal asks for donations to support gun buyback event at Waukegan parish Most Blessed Trinity Parish and the Waukegan Police Department will hold a gun buyback event at the parish on April 29.