Statement from Archbishop William Lori on shootings that occurred in Western Maryland on June 9:
“With a heavy heart, I express my sorrow and sadness concerning the shooting that occurred in Western Maryland that took the lives of 3 individuals. The senseless violence and tragic loss of human life seem an incomprehensible reality that has hit this community, as it has many others in the state and country this year alone. Please join me in calling for prayers and support for those victims and their families. We also pray for the speedy recovery of the brave Maryland State Trooper who was injured while apprehending the shooter.
I recently joined some of my fellow bishops and asked for all of us, as a nation to ‘unite in our humanity to stop the massacres of innocent lives.’ Today, I restate this appeal and pray for an end to this violence before we witness the loss of more innocent lives.
A Prayer for Healing
(From St. Mary’s Press)
Source of all love and life,
hear our voices as we cry out to you.
We call out to you,
O Lord, to fill our hearts with your Spirit,
so that as we are faced with the difficulties and anxieties
that life has brought us,
we may remember your eternal love,
and trust in the promise of your presence.
O God, our strength and stay,
our times are in your hands:
you uphold us in the chances and changes of our lives,
you do not abandon us in our distress.
Give us courage in this time of trial,
make us gracious and generous even as we suffer,
and lift our spirits that we may live always
in the confidence of your nearness and love.
We ask this through your Son,
our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God forever and ever.