CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

This weekend, throughout the USA, the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, also known as CCHD is taken up at all Catholic churches. For over 50 years, the mission of CCHD has been to address the root causes of poverty in the United States through the promotion and support of organizations that help people help themselves. CCHD supports these local groups as they create jobs, improve neighborhoods, keep schools safe and enriching for children, and raise leaders for the future. CCHD-sponsored programs effectively break the cycle of poverty by building collective power so that people can take action on the issues that affect their lives, families and communities. Last year, parishes across the Archdiocese of Chicago raised $380,753.68 during the collection weekend. Today we have the ability to sow tangible seeds of hope by contributing to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. You may make your donation in today's second collection or donations can also be made year-round at CCHDchicago.org. Thank you for your continued support of this important outreach of our Church in the USA.

PRAYER FOR OUR COUNTRY

In these times of war, violence and lack of respect for the common good throughout our country and indeed throughout the world, I encourage you to pray daily for peace and understanding, not only among nations, but also among individuals.

At the early years of our country, Archbishop John Carroll (who was the first bishop and then Archbishop in the USA) composed a prayer for our nation. John Carroll was born in Maryland and a number of his relatives were influential politicians in the new country of the United States.  232 years ago, Bishop Carroll issued a prayer for our country. His prayer is as needed now as it was in 1791. I urge you to pray this prayer for our country. I encourage you to do all you can to insure that our politicians fulfill their oath upon assuming their responsibilities towards all who live in our great country.

A Prayer For The United States by Archbishop John Carroll

We pray, O almighty and eternal God, who through Jesus Christ has revealed thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of your name.

We pray Thee, who alone are good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, the pope, the vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, all other bishops, prelates and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise among us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct your people into the ways of salvation.

We pray O God of might, wisdom and justice, through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with your Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the president of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness and be eminently useful to your people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality.

Let the light of your divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by your powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to your unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of your most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to you, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of your servants departed, who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech you, a place of refreshment, light and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

BEWARE OF SCAMS

I recently received a notice from the Archdiocese with a reminder that many unscrupulous people are increasingly sending scams through cell phones, e-mail or the postal mail.  Perhaps you or someone you know, have experienced some efforts to access your personal information. 

Sadly, those who perpetrate these crimes have become increasingly sophisticated in their techniques, including copying logos from companies and organizations that are familiar or including names of friends and associates. It is very easy to be fooled. For your information I have copied below the notice I received from the Archdiocese:

The experts remind us that government agencies, utilities, banks and most retailers will not send e-mails or texts that ask for personal information. A good rule of thumb is to NEVER respond to information requests on the phone, through e-mail, or texted to you.

If a person we know reaches out by e-mail or text for some monetary assistance, we should NEVER respond. Instead contact that individual by a different medium (call, separate email, etc.) to confirm the request is genuine. It almost always is not.

If some organization sends text or e-mail or phones us requesting us to call or contact them, we should NEVER respond directly but contact the organization by a different medium to verify. These are almost always attempts to get information that can be misused.

Almost all reputable organizations and businesses have a place on their website to report potential fraud. These are very helpful. There is an expression, “Trust but Verify.” In this world of electronic communication, we should all follow a variation of the phrase, “DO NOT TRUST UNTIL YOU VERIFY.”

Please use caution if you are contacted by someone seeking money or access to your personal information. May you have a safe and peaceful week!

Fr. Michael