Parishioner Joe Dembik shares an important message.

During a General Audience at the Vatican on October 18th, Pope Francis implored Catholics around the globe to join in solidarity for a Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in the World, especially in Israel and Palestine. The day designated for this purpose is Friday, October 27th.

Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has echoed Pope Francis’ call, exhorting all clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to join in observing this Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace in the World.

Archbishop Pérez will be the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass for the Preservation of Peace and Justice at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 18th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Friday, October 27, at 12:05pm. Archbishop Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan Archbishop for Ukrainian Catholics in the United States, will concelebrate. Preceding Mass, all are invited to pray the Holy Rosary for the intention of peace beginning at 11:30 a.m.  The Mass will be streamed live at 12:05 p.m. to the Archdiocese Vimeo Channel (vimeo.com/event/247013…) and Archbishop Pérez’s Facebook page (facebook.com/Archbisho…).

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The United States Conference of CAtholic Bishops shared the following Call for Prayer and Fasting for Peace on Tuesday, October 17th.

Dear brothers and sisters,

may the Lord indeed give us His peace!

The pain and dismay at what is happening is great. Once again we find ourselves in the midst of a political and military crisis. We have suddenly been catapulted into a sea of unprecedented violence. The hatred, which we have unfortunately already been experiencing for too long, will increase even more, and the ensuing spiral of violence will create more destruction. Everything seems to speak of death.

Yet, in this time of sorrow and dismay, we do not want to remain helpless. We cannot let death and its sting (1 Cor 15:55) be the only word we hear.

That is why we feel the need to pray, to turn our hearts to God the Father. Only in this way we can draw the strength and serenity needed to endure these hard times, by turning to Him, in prayer and intercession, to implore and cry out to God amidst this anguish.

On behalf of all the Ordinaries of the Holy Land, I invite all parishes and religious communities to a day of fasting and prayer for peace and reconciliation.

We ask that on Tuesday, October 17, everyone hold a day of fasting, abstinence, and prayer. Let us organize prayer times with Eucharistic adoration and with the recitation of the Rosary to Our Blessed Virgin Mary. Although most probably in many parts of our dioceses circumstances will not permit large gatherings, it is possible to organize simple and sober common moments of prayer in parishes, religious communities, and families.

This is the way we all come together despite everything, and unite collectively in prayer, to deliver to God the Father our thirst for peace, justice, and reconciliation.

With sincere prayers for all,

+Pierbattista Card. Pizzaballa

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

President of the ACOHL

Statement of Archbishop Pérez Regarding the Terrorist Attack on Israel and Armed Conflict in the Holy Land

Posted October 10, 2023

This weekend, I watched with deep sorrow as Israel was attacked suddenly by Hamas and armed conflict intensified with great ferocity. Peace in the Holy Land, which is sacred to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, has once again been violently shattered by terrorists.

Over the past few days, news reports have detailed unspeakable atrocities and great loss of life with little to no regard for the welfare of civilians. The seeds of war being sown, the harvest will be a bitter one of continued destruction and persecution.

At yet another grave moment in the recent history of our world, I urge all people of goodwill to answer the urgent plea of Pope Francis by calling for an immediate end to this conflict and in praying for all those trapped by the maelstrom of war. As the Holy Father said, “Terrorism and war do not lead to any resolutions, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”

Many people in our region, notably the large Jewish community with whom we share close ties, have family and friends who are caught in this torrent of violence. We pray for them. We pray for those suffering. We pray for a swift and just end to this conflict.

Most Reverend Nelson J. Pérez, D.D.
Archbishop of Philadelphia

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