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Writer's pictureProfiles in Catholicism
Oct 27, 201820 min read

November 2018 Issue

Updated: Nov 5, 2018



A Message from the Editor

October was a tragic month which is why we have three Prayers of the Month.

As a follow up to our Prayer to St. Anthony for Jamal Khashoggi, you may want to read

The murder of a Saudi journalist draws attention to U.S. complicity in Yemen by Kevin Clarke in US Catholic and A Shameful Alliance by the Editors of the National Catholic Reporter.


As nations try to address the global opioid epidemic, it is important to understand how all addictions are interrelated. On our Substance Abuse and Addiction web, we have added articles on Social Media Addiction and Video Game Addiction.


Please pray for all our brothers and sisters in Christ in the Caravan seeking refuge in the United States and Mexico.


Father Sudhaker Thalla has asked me to request that our readers send a small donation to help save the life of Alwin Rex, one of his parishioners. Just a few dollars would be very helpful. Please see our Advocacy section.


In the fight of good versus evil, evil appears to be winning. Hatred of others has became a global pandemic due in part to political polarization and extremism, the rise of the Neo-Nazi movement and White Supremacy, the lack of moral political leadership, and Silicon Valley’s failure to curb hate speech on social media This has contributed to the Tree of Life synagogue shooting massacre



Prayers of the Month


A Prayer for our Jewish Sisters and Brothers and First Responders in Pittsburgh


Our Creator God we mourn with you the loss of, and injuries, our Jewish sisters and brothers and first responders in Pittsburgh.  May God give eternal peace to those who have died;  may your healing touch strengthen those who are injured.  We pray for courage to confront the scourge of antisemitism and other forms of social hatred,  Help us become catalysts for social cohension in a time when so many speak words of social separation.  Our hope remains rooted in your presence among us.

by Father John Pawlikowski Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer to St. Anthony for Jamal Khashoggi and his Family


St. Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that we, but especially his family will find Jamal Khashoggi, who has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen. by  Christian Peschken Profiles in Catholicism


Prayer for the 198 Lives Lost in the Indonesian Air Flight Crash


Son of the Living God,

have mercy on all who are taken from us suddenly, unexpectedly, without warning,

and let them rest in your company.

Have mercy on us who are left, shocked, angry, hurt, bewildered,

unable to understand what has happened.

Send your healing help in the midst of the blackening hole where once there were those

we knew, loved, looked forward to meeting again, returning, going into life,

beginning a life together, growing up and working.

Have mercy on all who are involved in the rescue and, if anyone is alive, let them be discovered and brought to safety.

Help all to find the cause of this tragedy and to express, sensitively,

what needs to be said and done to prevent it being repeated.

Amen.

by Francis Etheredge Profiles in Catholicism


Quote of the Month

I express my closeness to the city of Pittsburgh, in the United States of America, and in particular to the Jewish community, which was struck yesterday by a terrible attack in the synagogue. May the Most High welcome the dead into his peace, comfort their families and support the wounded. In reality, we are all wounded by this inhuman act of violence. May the Lord help us to extinguish the outbreaks of hatred that develop in our societies, strengthening the sense of humanity, respect for life, moral and civil values, and the holy fear of God, who is Love and Father of all.

by Pope Francis

Interviews


General Articles/Commentaries

Articles and Commentaries on the United States Immoral Separations of Immigrant Children from their Parents


Advocacy

  • When Children are Set Free by Shay Cullen, Mssc Preda Foundation

  • Please send a donation for help save the life of Alwin Rex. Please read the article How do we love our neighbor as ourselves? If just a few if our readers could send a donation of $20.00 toward his healthcare costs to Father Thomas Ayyaneth with a notation that the donation is for Alwin Rex. Father Thomas will process donations and send them to his pastor. His mailing address is Fr. Thomas Ayyaneth, Syro Malankara Catholic Eparchial Chancery,1500 DePaul Street, Elmont-, New York 11003 , USA

  • Aiming high: Irish charity wants to impact five million African students By Susan Gately Catholic Ireland.net

  • Donation request for mentally retarded children in India

  • Help International Rescue Committee save lives in Yemen and worldwide.

  • Help save the lives of people in Kenya who are dying from lack of access to clean water. Please read our interview with Father Joseph Mungai, FMH.

  • Whether They Are Young or Old, Hungry or Addicted, Homeless or Friendless... Catholic Charities sees the face of God in those in need. By providing food, clothing, shelter and counseling, we bring hope to the hopeless in the city of Chicago and its suburbs. With 150 programs at 153 locations throughout Cook and Lake counties, we serve virtually every neighborhood and parish in the Chicagoland area. Through our broad spectrum of services, we annually assist more than 1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. For more than 98 years, Catholic Charities has empowered families and individuals of all races and religious backgrounds to realize their full potential. Our services help people from the point of conception through the last stages of their lives. We keep mothers and their babies well-fed, prepare children in low-income families for school, keep youth in school and out of gangs, counsel and give job training to adults with economic troubles, provide affordable housing for seniors, and organize in-home care services for seniors who need help caring for themselves. donations@catholiccharities.net Only 8 cents of every dollar donated goes toward our administrative expenses; the rest goes directly to help clients. While Catholic Charities raises funds separately from the Archdiocese of Chicago, we serve as the social service arm of the church

  • Support Capuchin Community Services At the Capuchin Community Services, we support those who cannot support themselves. We are grateful to you for your support whether it be through prayer, through donated goods, or through financial donation. Please be assured that we are careful stewards of your trust. We welcome contributions of any size. All are acknowledged and are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Capuchin Community Services is a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. Unless otherwise directed, donations support the local ministry and the Province. To donate through the mail: Capuchin Community Services PO Box 05830 Milwaukee, WI 53205-0830

Book Review / Commentaries

Film Reviews / Commentaries


TV Reviews/Commentaries

Theater Reviews/Commentaries

  • The Ferryman by Jez Butterworth Reviewed by Rob Weinert-Kendt America

  • Downstate Commentary by Michael J. O’Loughlin America

Art Reviews/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 relationships.

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 J Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer to Prevent Nuclear War

Lord God, you created life and beauty in this world. You then entrusted the human community with caring for, and enhancing, your creation. Strengthen us, we pray, in this challenging time when the power to destroy this creation has grown so dangerously. Lead us on a road of peace, a road that includes a program of removing all nuclear weapons from our earth. We cannot hope to meet this challenge without your continuing presence and support. For this we make our prayerful plea in your name. by John T. Pawlikowski, OSM, 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 J. Cameli Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer to End Racism

As we gather together for prayer and communion, we are reaffirming our commitment to love unconditionally, welcome all people and work to root out the cancer of racism that betrays our faith and country’s highest principles.”

by The Rev. Dr. Darryl Roberts, Senior Pastor, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, Washington. DC


A Prayer for East Africa

O Lord, with so much tragedy going on in our own country, children separated from their parents at our borders,

needy asylum seekers turned away,

against the spirit of all that we stand for,

as stated on the Statue of Liberty,

help us to think of, pray for, and find the means to help others

around the world,

especially the millions of people facing starvation

in East Africa.

We are called by the Jewish prophets and by Jesus

to help all in need, and our country has the resources to do so.

Help us to work together with other nations around the world

to raise awareness of the desperation of the East Africans,

and to pool our resources to send them food and medical aid,

so that they may survive

and help others to survive

and thrive.

We ask this in the name of our Loving Father, the Son who sacrificed his life for all,

and the Holy Spirit who permeates all reality and the hearts and souls of all humans.

Amen by Dr. Eugene Fisher Profiles in Catholicism


A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse


God of endless love,

ever caring, ever strong,

always present, always just:

You gave your only Son

To save us by the blood of his cross.

Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,

join to your own suffering

the pain of all who have been hurt

in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

Hear our cries as we agonize

over the harm done to our brothers and sisters.

Breathe wisdom into our prayers,

soothe restless hearts with hope,

steady shaken spirits with faith:

Show us the way to justice and wholeness,

enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.

Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,

heal your people’s wounds

and transform our brokenness.

Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,

so that we may act with justice

and find peace in you.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

by Christian Peschken 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


Prayer for Immigrants and Refugees

Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.

Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God's family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.

Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,

To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;

To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;

To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;

To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;

To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.

We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops


A Prayer for the End of Human Trafficking


God of freedom, beauty and truth

we believe that your deepest desire,

your most powerful energy,

is that all creation might know abundant life.

We raise our voices in anguished prayer

for our sisters and brothers,

women and girls, men and boys,

who are modern day slaves;

They are your beloved daughters and sons,

exploited sexually or forced to work

because of human violence and greed.

Fill us with your holy anger and your sacred passion

that those who are trafficked might know healing and justice;

that traffickers will come to repentance and conversion;

that all of us might live in such a way

that others are not made to pay the price

for our comfort and convenience.

Hasten the coming of the day when all people

and our precious Earth itself

will be treated, not as a commodity,

but as radiant images of your freedom, beauty and truth. Amen. May it be so.

,Convent Station, N.J.


VIDEOS



Update from the Synod on Youth by Cardinal Blasé Cupich and Father Louis Cameli


The Real Third Secret of Fatima by vaticancatholic.com


THIS MAN DIED DURING SURGERY, MET GOD & ASKED HIM, "WHAT'S THE MEANING OF LIFE?" by Living for Christ


Theologians in Conversation; Catholicism and Others by Archbishop Kevin McDonald and Prof. Tom O’Loughlin


Luiza Palma about her Gender Parity Label by Christian Peschken


Catholic Bishop in India Fights for Christians by EWTN


Rosary from Lourdes by Le Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes


10 Early Signs of Autism





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