On Sunday, June 28, Catholics of Collier County are invited to stand as silent witness to the reality of racism in the country as part of a Prayer Chain Against Racism and affirming the Equality and Dignity of Every Human Person. The gathering will be on the
west side of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) from Pine Ridge Road southward.
While it is being organized by Catholic Parishes in the area, it is hoped that it will be an inclusive event and all Christians, people of other faiths and all people of good will are invited to attend. There will be no speakers or presentation, but a quiet, peaceful, prayerful witness in these challenging times. To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, people are requested to wear masks and maintain appropriate social distancing.
Prayer to Overcome Racism
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society. We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.
Oración para superar el racismo
María, amiga y madre de todos, a través de tu Hijo Dios ha encontrado un camino para unirse a todos los seres humanos, llamados a ser un solo pueblo, hermanas y hermanos entre sí.
Pedimos tu ayuda al recurrir a tu Hijo, buscando el perdón por las veces en que hemos fallado en amarnos y respetarnos.
Pedimos tu ayuda para obtener de tu Hijo la gracia que necesitamos para vencer el mal del racismo y construir una sociedad justa.
Pedimos tu ayuda para seguir a tu Hijo, para que el prejuicio y la animosidad no infecten ya nuestras mentes o corazones sino que sean reemplazados por el amor que respeta la dignidad de cada persona.
Madre de la Iglesia, el Espíritu de tu Hijo Jesús alienta nuestros corazones: Ruega por nosotros. Amén.
Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. www.usccb.org/racism