Greetings and peace from St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

Greetings and peace!

Like so many, we are searching for a way to respond to the tension and violence surfacing in our city this week.  I join you and others throughout Charlotte in praying for a path to reconciliation and peace. 

These beautiful words of Pope Francis remind us of the true source of healing:  “How I wish that that all men and women of good will would look to the Cross if only for a moment! There, we can see God’s reply... In the silence of the Cross, the uproar…ceases and the language of reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, and peace is spoken.”

In the prayers below, may we find hope and direction. 

God bless you,
Fr. Frank
Prayers Offered by Bishop Jugis 
After two nights of violence in the city of Charlotte, I call upon the half-million Catholic men, women and children of the Diocese of Charlotte to join me in prayer.
  • Let us pray for peace and for justice, not only for the victims of violence in Charlotte, but for all of the victims throughout our country. 
  • Let us pray for the members of our law enforcement organizations who have been victims of unjust violence.
  • Let us pray for all men and women of good will to be instruments of harmony and the always-shining light of Christ in our neighborhoods, work places, schools and public spaces.
  A Prayer for Peace 

O God, Creator of the universe, 
who extends your paternal concern over every creature
and guides the events of history to the goal of salvation, 
we acknowledge your fatherly love
when you break the resistance of mankind and,
in a world torn by strife and discord, 
you make us ready for reconciliation. 

Renew for us the wonders of your mercy; 
send forth your Spirit that he may work in the intimacy of hearts, 
that enemies may begin to dialogue, 
that adversaries may shake hands 
and peoples may encounter one another in harmony. 

May all commit themselves to the sincere search
for true peace which will extinguish all arguments,
for charity which overcomes hatred, 
for pardon which disarms revenge. 

St. Pope John Paul II

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