Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

We are praying for families of Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, for those who died and those who were injured in yesterday's school shooting. May God grant eternal rest to those whose lives were taken, and may he give comfort to their families and loved ones. 

I pray that there is hope in all the prayers that rely upon Jesus' promise calling children to himself and to whom the kingdom belongs (Matthew 19:14). From Columbine and Sandy Hook to Uvalde and many other violent attacks against children, so many have suffered. In 2022, after praying for the victims in Uvalde, Pope Francis said during an interview, “It’s time to say, ‘Enough!’

"Enough!" is part of our prayer, too. In our grieving world, "weapons that are increasingly capable of inflicting great suffering are simply too accessible" (US Bishops) to damaged people. Our prayer is also a call to change our society. May Christ's love and mercy guide us.

Even as the details of this terrible event unfold, we are reminded of the safety of our own school. The incident occurred during a school mass for the K - 8 school students. At our school, we are constantly reviewing and updating our safety protocols.

For this academic year, our school masses will be only accessible through secure entrances from the school into the church. The main doors of the Church will be closed during school masses. Only students, faculty, and parents who possess school identification will be allowed to enter the church.

Our first school mass will be held in the school gym. It is a safe and secure location, but it is also the only venue on campus available until the completion of the Church Renovation on September 14th.

Our first mass in our newly renovated church will be held on Sunday, September 14th, the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross. The feast commemorates the discovery of three crosses by Empress Helena in Jerusalem on September 14, 320 and the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built on the site in 355.

As we mourn the tragic events, we recall that the feast does not exalt the cruelty of the Cross, but the Love that God manifested to humanity through the Cross: “Who, though in the form of God, emptied himself, taking the form of a slave. This is the glory of the Cross of Jesus!” (Pope Francis) May the Lord embrace the hearts of all who grieve.

Peace, Father Gil

For more information or questions, please contact Confirmation Coordinator, Jennifer Kozakowski at

jkozakowski@sp-apostle.org

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For those killed and wounded in the Annunciation School shooting and for their families who grieve, may the Lord embrace them with his compassion:

For our immigrant sisters and brothers living in fear of deportation, may the Lord accompany them through the ministry of the Christian community:

For the healing, comfort, and peace of the sick, for Tel Ramon, Mary Pat Cooper, Kate Dzierzek, Janet Platin, Catherine Gotfredson, Thomas Hinnebusch, Todd Wiench, Bernadette Tee, Ashley Murdock, Marsha Cady, Mahmoud Reza - Sadeghi, Estrella and John Monzon, Charles Candel, Joan Doyle, Gary Brandolino, Denise Powell, Jim Somerville, Patrick Cleary, Marisa Kavanau, Adriana Clark, Carol King Wolcott, John Wolcott, Angel Appleton, Joe Reid, Clark Gassan, Lohriena Lohrie Counts, Nora McCormick Heinen, Weldon Tilley, Lauren Lagoeiro, Paul Lannan, Mitchell Twersky, Teresita Cruz, Patti Newler, Manolo Conway, Jerry DeCarnelle, Lesley de la Cruz, Erny Pinckert, Eileen Gaffney.

For the eternal rest of our beloved departed, Christine Azurin, Dr. Alfred Ferris, Lee Thompson, Lori Seyer, Birgitta Langeneckert, Emma Ruth, Don Zimmerman, Leilah Katibah, Cathy Abarta, William Sherritt, Georgina Eades, Roy Riblet, Bob Cooper, Bruce Taylor, Gary Clark, Raquel Escudero, Sister Maria Sorahan, DMJ, Charles Kroener, Pamela Bramhall, Kathleen McCann, Braun Levi, Mary Minette, Sharon Wright, Jim Gaffney, Michele (Cramer) MacGregor, Bruce Glaspy, Cecile Oswald, Nancy Hogan, Kitty Dukakis, José Javier Canalejo, Mary Looker, Thomas Roth, Maureen Russell, Nancy Reilly, Paul Sanchez, Sr., Martha Kohler, Maria Ines Gontijo Albergaria, Garry Pietro, Irene Beggs, Raul Hernandez, Ann Messinger, Rosalia DeLa Pena, Ron Roberson, CSP, Tom Foley, CSP, , may they rest in peace.

For peace in every nation: may the light of the Holy Spirit transform hearts so that all may seek the way of peace together and comfort the wounded and grieving, let us pray to the Lord: