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Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism
Nov 14, 201912 min read

November 1-15 2019 Profiles in Catholicism

Updated: Nov 16, 2019


A Message from the Editor


Warnings about Nuclear Conflicts


This issue features three warnings on the increasing risk of nuclear conflicts including one by Pope Frances. There is also a notice that my friend Martha Hennessey and her six colleagues were convicted for breaking into a nuclear submarine base in Georgia last year.


The seven now face up to 25 years in prison each for trespassing on the U.S. navy base, which houses six Trident submarines capable of carrying hundreds of nuclear weapons.

I am asking all of our readers to pray for them and hopefully have Masses said for them. They are our heroes at a time when true heroes are increasing rare.


Bette Midler’s tribute to heroes is applicable to Martha and her colleagues



Special Prayers


Prayer to End Nuclear Conflicts


God most powerful and most kind,

creator of all things visible and invisible,

you have entrusted to us the stewardship of your creation.

With your guidance, we have explored your world

and learned to unleash its powerful forces.

Make us good stewards of the world’s goods and powers,

so that we may never use what you have given us for destruction

but always for building a world of justice and more abundant life.

Lead us away from every temptation to break the bonds of the human family.

Inspire us to the grateful and loving use of all power—

physical, moral, and spiritual. Amen

by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


Will It Ever End?


At the Cross her station keeping, stood the mournful Mother weeping, close to her Jesus to the last. Through her heart, His sorrow sharing, all His bitter anguish bearing, now at length the sword has passed.

Again.

This time her children, her other children.

Mangled, Slaughter, Wasted.

And

How sad and sore distressed

Are you, our own dear Mother.

Your son on Calvary

Your children in Senora

Dear Mother Mary, give us strength

To stand with you


To the God of Creation: A Prayer During Wildfires


The earth shakes to the very foundations, ire and water unleashed fury Creator of the universe, whose name is love and compassion and whose essence is wisdom, divinity, purpose. We cry in anguish. We are submerged in doubt and fear. Help us to hold the suffering of the world and offer a compassionate hand. God of mercy, be gentle with our pain and doubt. Help us as we struggle with confusion and loss. Darkness, Cold. Fear. Hunger. Thirst. Protect us. Creator of the universe, we offer gratitude for the blessings, for survival, for the graciousness of strangers, and for heroic acts that abound. Grant us strength, resilience, fortitude, ope, faith. by Rabbi Karyn D. Kedar, the senior rabbi of Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim in Deerfield, IL

This prayer is reprinted with permission from Amen: Seeking Presence with Prayer, Poetry, and Mindfulness Practice (CCAR Press, December 2019).


A Quote to Remember


“The leaders of the world face no greater task than that of avoiding nuclear war. While preserving the cause of freedom, we must seek abolition of war through programs of general and complete disarmament. The Test-Ban Treaty of 1963 represents a significant beginning in this immense undertaking” by. Robert Kennedy

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Book Reviews/Commentaries


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Theater Reviews and Commentaries

Feasting with the Saints

Prayers


A Prayer for Those Who Have Suffered Abuse by the Clergy


God, in your providential love you comfort those who are wounded and afflicted.

Hear our prayers for those who have suffered abuse by those in their families or by those entrusted with their care. In a special way, we pray for those who suffered abuse by clergy who betrayed a sacred trust and who were meant to stand for your loving presence in their lives. May those who have been hurt find support and encouragement in communities of faith, hope, and love. May they discover healing in genuinely loving and caring relationship. May they reclaim hope for themselves. May they be strengthened and confirmed in their resolve to set things aright. May they rest in you who make all things work for the good. Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer to End Gun Violence


Lord Jesus, as you approached the city of Jerusalem, Before your passion, As your people waved palms in your honor, You saw the city and wept over it because you Loved it.

You knew of the violence and chaos you would suffer In that beloved city still you loved it and wept over it. Lord Jesus, look upon our cities, weep over them, Love them and protect them. Weep over us and strengthen us as we suffer Violence and chaos. Weep over us and love us. Lord Jesus, weep over us and love us. (See Lk 19) by Father David O. Brown, O.S.M.. Profiles in Catholicism


I Am Becoming a Catholic


He called me...At first it was a tiny call and I said:

"Well I am listening" He called again and again I said:

"I am listening"

Sometimes His voice is strong and clear,

other times I can hardly hear Him,

Sometimes He calls me when I am looking at a beautiful sunset,

Sometimes He calls me when I am helping to serve the homeless,

sometimes He calls me when I am out to dinner with friends.

I am still listening

He wants me to follow Him now and always.

He wants me to follow Him in joy and solitude.

He wants me to follow Him when others are in need.

He wants me to follow Him when I have chosen to hurt Him

and then say I am sorry.

He is after me night and day.

He is after me at the dawn of a new day.

He is after me when daylight disappears.

His never ending loving call is for ME!

I want to belong to Him and His Church.

I want His presence to become stronger in my everyday life.

I want Him to love me now and forever.

I say YES and again YES.

He hugs me with a strong embrace.

He and I are together with the rest of His followers.

Now and forever. by Holy Name RC(A Committee Profiles in Catholicism

A Prayer for Migrant Children


Good Lord, who said “Whoever receives one of these little ones, receives me,” bless the little ones who are caught in the struggle of migration, separation, and abuse. Give all those adults who are responsible for them and for their welfare the wisdom and courage to do the children justice and to protect them. Make our hearts more ,loving and willing to do the right thing by them. May we see in all people young and old your image and so reverence their great dignity. We make our prayer through you who came among us as a child and who was forced to flee the threat of violence Amen by Father Louis Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


An Encounter with Silence


Loving God, I come before you to pray for my brothers and sisters, your children and members of Christ’s body, at the southern border of the United States today.

What we read of their suffering seems nothing less than a Passion for thousands. Little children crowded into cells where they scarcely have room to stand. Without decent sanitation or food, separated from their families, the older ones taking care of the younger.

God of mercy, I believe that you live within whatever and whoever I am, the ground of my existence, its gracious cause and hope, its true future, its blessed promise of eternal life. I could not always have said so much. But now through your grace I do believe it.

But God of all, I am shaken in that faith when I read of what is happening on the threshold of my country. Are not the women and men and children there also vessels of your eternal presence? Many of them, most perhaps, from what we call the Northern Triangle, have indeed been baptized. But your incarnate Word is addressed to all of them. Your Spirit of freedom hovers over all of them

by Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J .America


Videos


The Happy City - Leper Colony Documentary Educational Video


Making Sense Of Veteran Suicide









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