This weekend the nation observes Father's Day./ We pray for young people who are without the guidance,/ protection and care of a father./ For fathers who grieve for their families trapped in poverty or war./ We pray to the Lord.
Wednesday is the Feast of the Birth of St. John the Baptist./ With Pope Francis/ we pray to see every child as a holy child,/ to be welcomed,/ loved and protected./We pray to the Lord.
May we not become careless or indifferent to the coronavirus pandemic/ as cases and deaths spike in many places./ We pray for the sick/ and those who remain dedicated to their healing and comforting./ We pray to the Lord.
The nation bears a deep and sinful stain in its story of slavery./ Many Americans are ignorant of that story./ As we witness its effects even to today,/ we pray to grow in knowledge,/ which yields humility,/ repentance,/ and conversion to justice./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for June's graduates:/ may they not be self-pitying at the loss of their ceremonies,/ but turn instead to thoughts of how to serve others who are finding life difficult these days./ We pray to the Lord.
For the President of the United States and world leaders everywhere to be blessed with gifts of maturity,/ self-restraint,/ decency,/ humility and intelligence./ We pray to the Lord.
