A Reflection from President Joe Therber: Prayers for Annunciation Catholic School

Before school this morning, Scecina President Joe Therber shared a heartfelt reflection with students, offering prayers for the Annunciation Catholic School community in Minneapolis following this week’s tragic events. He encouraged our Crusader community to unite in faith, hope, and love as we lift up those who are hurting and reaffirm our commitment to live the Gospel values each day.

Good morning, Crusaders,

This morning, for the second time this year, we will gather as a Community of Faith to celebrate Mass. This is always an opportunity for us to bring to God our hopes and fears, our gratitude, and our petitions for concerns that may be shared by many people and those which may be personal and private to us individually.

This morning’s Mass comes just two days after the terrible events at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday morning. During Mass, Fr. Jim will invite us to remember those who died, those who are injured, families and friends who are hurting, and children who are traumatized, as well as first responders and everyone who is carrying a heavy heart after this sorrowful episode of violence.

It is natural to think about what we can do, how we can help, during this time of healing. As we consider what support we can show over the coming days, let us use this morning’s Mass as our first expression of solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Annunciation School and Parish in Minneapolis.

United as one, let us lift up to God in prayer everyone who needs comfort in any way, asking God to provide them with all that they need to move forward with hope in God’s saving power.

While we ourselves may be challenged to comprehend the magnitude of what happened in Minneapolis, or as we try to understand why innocent life can be destroyed, let us remain firmly committed to building a better society that is committed to the Gospel values that we proclaim and try to live here at Scecina.

As we reflect and pray today, let’s reaffirm our commitment to remain people of faith, hope, and love in action, especially during challenging circumstances — so that, even when it’s difficult, we seek ways to build up, to unify, and to comfort people whose needs draw us to them.

Let’s take a moment now to calm our minds and hearts and pray together.

Please stand.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Gracious God, today and every day, let the words of our hymn “Lord, Prepare Me” remind us that each of us is a sanctuary — a physical place — where You dwell and from where Your love is poured out for all of us to grow in Your love and peace. May we be instruments of Your peace, bringing light, faith, hope, joy, and love into the world.

In Jesus’s name we pray! Amen.

Peacemakers Saints Francis and Clare, pray for us.
Peacemaker Father Tom, pray for us.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.