- Prayers for Peace and Suggested Responses
- Reflections after 9/11
- Messages from CLCs Around the World on 9/11
At the beginning of the Hora Tertia for the one month memorial of the terrorist attack on September 11th 2001, the Holy Father John Paul II pronounced the following Monition:
Brothers
and Sisters,
Dear Synodal Fathers,
one month since the inhumane terrorist attacks
which occurred in different parts of the United States of America,
we again recommend
to the eternal mercy of the God of our Fathers
the numerous innocent victims.
We
ask for consolation and comfort
for their family and relatives,
burdened by pain;
we invoke strength and courage
for the many who continue their work
in the places struck by this terrible disaster;
we implore for tenacity and perseverance
by all men of goodwill
continuing on the paths of justice and peace.
May
the Lord remove from the heart of man
every trace of resentment, of hostility and of hate,
and open him to reconciliation,
to solidarity and to peace.
Let
us pray so that the "culture of love"
may be established all over the world.
Messages from the World Community of CLC in response to 9/11…
In order of most
recent first:
MALTA
FRANCE
WORLD CLC OFFICE
CANADA
AUSTRALIA
SOUTH AFRICA
NEW ZEALAND
IRELAND
KENYA
MALTA
Dear Dorothy,
This is CLC Malta calling. I was given your e-mail address by Fr. Fernando Salas SJ and I will also be copying him this message.
On behalf of all CLCs in Malta allow me to express my deepest grief at the terrible happenings of the 11th September. Many Maltese nationals have close contacts with the USA, indeed a significant number had emigrated to the States in the past years.
I myself was in New York City barely two weeks before the tragedy occurred and somehow I still cannot believe that in such a short instant, the lives of so many were changed forever.
Although we do not know each other, I can assure you that CLC USA is in our thoughts and prayers. I hope that this little message is a sign of solidarity with you and your people.
With warmest wishes,
Your brother in Christ,
Tony Vella
President,
CLC Malta.
FRANCE
Dear Dorothy,
We are the regional team serving CLC in Northern France, between Paris and the Belgian border. Our community totals about 500 members.
We would like to express to the members of CLC in the United States our full support after the September 11th terrorist attacks on American soil.
We do not forget the innocent victims and the heroes who gave their lives to fulfill their duty. We share the grief of the families and friends.
Since that fatal day, we have included in our meetings or services a time of prayer for those who have suffered and continue to suffer in the US as new threats are being identified.
With you, we also pray for peace in the world and for all the victims of terrorism and violence, particularly in the Middle East and Central Asia.
Please receive our friendliest feelings in Christ.
Jacques Berry on behalf of the Northern France service team
WORLD CLC OFFICE
Dear friends: We pray with you during these tragic days, for all those who are suffering in the US.
With Gilles, Leah, Van and Roswitha we will offer Mass together at the CLC World Secretariat for you and all the victims. May our Lord help us to grow in mutual respect and solidarity.
United in prayer,
Fernando Salas SJ
CANADA
National CLC Canada
Greetings and Blessings Pat, Elaine and I would just like to send you our sincere condolences on the awful happenings in the US this day. We also want to assure you and all our CLC sisters and brothers of our prayer support and concern at this tragic time. We have been praying since the news broke in Canada - attending mass and offering it up for you and the victims of the bombings.
We remember our time in New York at the National Assembly in Fordham with such pleasure. Our trips through the city and our appreciation of the vitality that is New York. We are saddened at such a senseless tragedy. Know that we keep you all close to us in prayer.
In Christ.
Fran Morrison and Elaine Regan
National Presidents CLC Canada
Winnepeg, Canada
Parish
255 Stafford Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3M 2X2
September 25, 2001,
two weeks after the great affliction of the people in New York City.
To our beloved sisters and brothers of the CLC in New York:
We are a CLC of St. Ignatius Parish in Winnipeg Canada. As members of the World CLC we would like to express our sympathy to you and all the CLCers of New York City. We are aware that many of you lost friends or relatives in the recent disaster at the World Trade Center and are still mourning your loss. Grieving is a very painful experience and so we find Jesus words, “Blessed are those who mourn,” to be very mysterious indeed. As members of the World CLC and the human race we unite ourselves with you in this experience of your mourning. We do share in your sorrow and grief and carry you in our hearts and prayers.
Besides the immediate reaction of shock and loss there comes a deep anger at those who perpetrated this atrocity against humanity. Still we know that we must overcome this anger and find ways of coming to peace in our inner life. Forgiveness and reconciliation are the two great virtues that Jesus proclaimed in his life of suffering on the cross and in these words: “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:27-28). A difficult task indeed! But, surprising enough it is the way in which we move beyond ourselves and discover a new sense of unity with all of suffering humanity.
As members of the World Community we are to find ways to achieve unity and bring peace and justice to the whole human community. This is a time for us to unite ourselves in the suffering of Christ and bring the love and compassion of Christ to all humans. It is our belief that small groups of Christians who unite themselves as a wider world community can be instruments of peace and justice. Although we cannot feel the extent of your pain we can and do join you in your prayers, hopes and actions for world peace. As a World CLC we can really change the world. But this will only be in Christ’s spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.
St. Paul writes: “All things are reconciled through him and for him, everything in heaven and everything on earth, when he made peace by his death on the cross.” (Col 1:20)We can join St. Paul as he states: “It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body.” (Col 1:24)
Ruth Chipman
Steve Chipman
Kati Gumbmann
Fr. John English, S.J.
Fr. Earl Smith, S.J.
Witold Kinsner
Jean Kinsner
Valerie Muzychuk
Marie Woods
Mike Radcliffe
Carol Kennedy
Paul Barritt-Flatt
Carol Barritt-Flatt
AUSTRALIA
Dear Pat, My love and prayer go out to you and the people of USA tonight, as you begin another day. You have been very present in my thoughts and prayer since John called me from the farm early this morning to tell me what had happened overnight in Australia.
May the love and peace of Christ break through in our hearts and countries to conquer evil and violence.
United in Christ,
Love,
Mary Nolan
SOUTH AFRICA
Dear Pat,
Just a note to convey our constant prayers for the terrible, shocking disaster in N.York and Washington - we are dumbfounded and there have been prayer groups, services and Masses all over SA.
Sorry I haven't replied to your previous email - will contact you again.
Love and prayers
from S.Africa,
Jill McKay
AOTEAROA - NEW ZEALAND
Dear Pat and CLC USA,
We join our prayers to the other CLCs around the world in sending you our support at this terrible time. May Christ's compassion surround you all, and the gift of forgiveness for the terrorists responsible for such a hideous crime.
In the love of Christ,
Patricia Kane
clc aotearoa/new zealand
IRELAND
14th September 2001.
Pat Carter,
President of CLC in the United States.
Dear Pat,
Deepest sympathy from Ireland on the awful tragedy on Tuesday last. Here in Clongowes, where I am Headmaster, we have just celebrated a Mass with the whole school community for those who have died, for those who mourn and for those who are injuried or otherwise traumatised. We also prayed that those who might be inclined to follow in the path of the attackers might turn from war to peace. In solidarity with all those in Ireland and in Europe, who have made this day a day of mourning - and in solidarity with you all.
Dermot Murray, S.J.
Former ecclesiastical assistant of CLC Ireland.
KENYA
I have been thinking so much about the attack on WTC and elswhere and I have been wondering what it tells me. I have been trying to see how God was involved. My prayers are with all of America. Remember we were also hit in 1998 and over 200 people died in the blast. We have not quite recoverd from the shock and the devastation. I Read with dismay the life of the ordinary people in Afghanistan and I couldnt help but weep for them. Lets all unite in prayer for them for what they are going through and for the posibiity of US strikes on their land. Many who are already suffering will suffer more. Where do you see God in all these? Is God only present in positive things or in bad things positively. And what could He be telling the world and CLCers in particular.
My strong belief is that we are called to give space and life to all the living and this is the mission of us all. Civilization is the ability of people to live in harmony. Live and let live . May God continue the work he has begun in you Thank you again and may God bless you abundantly.
Yours,
Jeremiah Ochieng
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