CHARLOTTE — Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte are responding to the recent acts of violence with prayer.
Bishop Peter Jugis is calling for a special prayer for peace during Masses this weekend in churches throughout the Diocese of Charlotte.
In the Prayers of the Faithful, the following prayer is suggested:
“We pray for those affected by the recent shootings in Buffalo, Laguna Woods and now at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas
…for the deceased and their families, that they may know Your heavenly peace promised by Jesus Christ;
…for the perpetrators and those tempted by darkness and violence, that they may surrender to Your infinite mercy;
…for all who feel vulnerable, frightened, or anxious by these acts of senseless evil, that they may find consolation in the promise of Your eternal kingdom.
We pray to the Lord…”
On Wednesday, the diocese’s three high schools simultaneously observed a moment of prayer to remember the lives of 19 students and two teachers killed Tuesday at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
The schools held a moment of silence and then recited a special prayer for victims, their families, and the perpetrator and his family.
Elementary and middle schools across the diocese also offered special moments of prayer Wednesday at the principals’ discretion.
Father Timothy Reid, Vicar of Education for the diocese’s 20 schools in western North Carolina, wrote Wednesday in a message to parents: “As Catholic school communities, we are called to support one another in times of suffering. As you pray with your family in the upcoming days, I certainly encourage you to pray for all those affected by this tragedy, but also to pray for peace, healing and protection within our own school communities.”
The chaplains and counselors will be on hand at the schools to talk to students, Father Reid noted.
— Catholic News Herald
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