Some weeks before Hurricane Harvey landed upon the shores of Texas, a parishioner told me before Mass that she was feeling anxious and fearful about the future. As a mother and grandmother, she has lived during times of war and peace. She has lived through times of economic, political, and social upheaval; and she has lived during times of relative calm and prosperity. She has lived during times when friendly neighbors and vast oceans protected us from terrorism; and she lives now in a world where terrorism can strike a church, a dance club, or a neighborhood school. She has celebrated the birth of her children and grandchildren; and she has mourned the passing of family and friends. Despite this vast life experience, she feels frightened, nervous, and on-edge about what might happen next.

This fellow parishioner told me that she worries about the harsh nature of our political debates; how we demonize those with whom we disagree; how meanness has replaced respectful debate; how we roll our eyes in resignation as old outrages become the new normal in our country. She told me that she fears that what happened in Sandy Hook or Orlando or Charlottesville could happen here. She told me that she is genuinely afraid that what is happening now in Texas and Louisiana could also happen here: a natural disaster for which no one is prepared. She told me that she feels like we are in the eye of the storm; that we are experiencing a deceiving calm while all around us a whirlwind of destruction and hate and violence blows with increasing force.

This parishioner is not alone. I have heard sentiments like these many times in recent months. But such feelings are ancient and timeless. They are as old as the human experience itself. We fear death and destruction and disaster because we are human beings and we cherish life. We fear bigotry and hatred and violence because we wish for a bright future for our children and grandchildren. We sometimes fear the future because it represents the unknown and the unpredictable. At the same time, we are a people of faith, a Christian people, an Easter people. We know, in the depths of our hearts, that God is good, that God loves us, that God saves us, and that God will not bring upon us any trial that we cannot handle. We know also, in the depths of our souls, that God stands with us, suffers with us, dies with us, and will raise us up, no matter what.

It is difficult to make sense or offer good advice to those who fear the future. And it is difficult to know how to respond to events like those in Charlottesville and Texas. Of course, we should speak and work and vote for goodwill and justice and peace. We should live the gospel, share God’s love, and work together to build up the Church in our community. We should prepare as best we can for blizzards and hurricanes and power outages. But how should we respond to the almost unimaginable destruction and suffering that we now see on television and read about online and in the newspaper? What can we do to alleviate the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Texas and other places who have been brought low by violence, war, or natural disaster?

First, we should pray for the first responders and volunteers and victims of such events. We should pray tirelessly for them as they work to rebuild their lives, their homes, and their communities. Second, we should give generously to charities like the Red Cross and Catholic Charities that give direct care, comfort, and support to those in need during times of crisis. Indeed, Cardinal Sean has asked all parishes to take up a special collection next weekend (September 9th-10th) for Catholic Charities USA which is on the ground in Texas and Louisiana. Please give generous- ly to this all important special collection! Finally, as we pray and think globally about crises in our country and around the world, we should also act locally by generously supporting the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Every single penny that you give to the Saint Vincent de Paul Society goes directly to help those in need right here on Cape Ann. Your prayers and support for these causes could literally save a life or a whole family in Texas or in your own neighborhood.

Peace and blessings to all,
Father Jim

Reverend James M. Achadinha, Pastor
Catholic Community of Gloucester & Rockport
Contact: frjim@ccgronline.com

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (9-3-17)
Bringing Home the Word (9-3-17)

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Vigil for Peace
Saturday, September 9th