In light of recent incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States, the USCCB president, along with Bishop Bradley, has invited all Catholics to unite in a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in Our Communities, September 9, the Feast of St. Peter Claver. All are invited to pray, fast, attend Mass and ask for the intercession of saints who have fought for racial equality such as St. Peter Claver.

My dear friends, as we all are painfully aware, we’re living in a very tumultuous, anxious, and greatly divided time in our country. Tensions are high, anger is great, peaceful protests against racism and social injustice are widespread, and sadly, some of those protests have turned violent, and destructive, including here in our own community. I’m reminded of St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians, and us, to “mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11).

This Pentecost Sunday is an especially joyful day in our beloved Diocese. Today we begin the gradual return to full participation in the life of the Church through our first weekend in Level 1 for the public celebration of Masses in a very modified manner. Although we know we still have a long way to go, it’s a joy-filled experience to finally welcome people back to celebrate the Holy Mass together.