Witnessing the violent events and suffering of the past week have impacted all of us. We, the Schol Sisters of Notre Dame of the Atlantic-Midwest Province, invite you to join us in prayer for the lives lost and for their loved ones who are now processing grief. We pray for peace, and unity in our homes, our country, and our world. We also pray for the safety of the hundreds of thousands potentially impacted by the possible cancelation of temporary protected status for immigrants.
Almost two centuries ago, during a time of war in Europe, when the faithful and religious communities were witnessing against the allure of secularism, the Spirit prompted Blessed Therese of Jesus Gerhardinger to found our congregation rooted in longing for the oneness of all in God.
As School Sisters of Notre Dame, we strive to be credible witnesses of that universal communion. We invite you to join us in this effort and share this prayer written by our International Shalom Network Coordinator, Tim Dewane:
Loving God, make us vessels of peace, instruments of unity and love. Help us to build bridges with dialogue and encounter so we can all be one people always in peace. Open our eyes to biases that keeps us from building bridges with others. Open our ears to hear the struggles, needs, and desires of others, particularly those who see differently. Grant us courage and grace to reflect Your light as we seek to build bridges of understanding between hearts, homes, communities, and countries. Let Your will be done in us and through us. Amen.
S. Nancy Gilchriest, S. Paula Dukehart, S. Delia Dowling, S. Celeste Reinhart, S. Mary Roy Weiss
