ST. PAUL CATHOLIC
COMMUNITY OF FAITH

We hold our siblings in the Holy Land close during this time of escalated violence, and we raise our prayers to the heavens.  We acknowledge that Jews, Muslims and Christians consider this land of promise to be sacred and call it home.  We grieve not only the loss of life and and condemn all acts of terror; we also grieve the hard-heartedness that has kept people from negotiating peaceful resolutions to their conflicts and has brought us to this crisis. And so we pray...

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God of All, You are to us the Father of Promise, the Mother of All Consolations. As the psalmist prayed, "in the day of distress we call to You, for surely You will answer" (Ps 86:7).  Distress is again at hand, felt in searing tears and bones chilled to the core by the horrors on display.  War and devastation have again disrupted our hope for peace in the Holy Land — holy because it is there that you have promised to draw all peoples to Yourself.  You established it as a place of safety and bounty for the anawhim, the poor ones who sought refuge from oppression while remaining faithful to You in times of difficulty.  Help us to remain faithful to humility, faithful to justice, faithful as peace-makers, faithful to love.  Have mercy on us and grant us peace.  Amen.

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On Monday, October 9th, Fr. Michael attended a Community Vigil for Peace in Israel at Temple Emmanuel, representing us and the Colorado Council of Churches.   (See article in the Denver Gazette.)  Fr. Michael's main takeaways: 

• The Jewish community greatly appreciates our solidarity in this time of crisis and grief; visiting clergy thanked numerous times throughout the evening.

• Almost everyone in the local community has family members or knows individuals are who are impacted in Israel.

• The distinction was made between supporting Zionism (Israel's right to exist and have a safe home of their own) and certain policies of the current government.

• Similarly, one can condemn Hamas/Hezbollah/Iranian regime (who vow to destroy the Israeli state) and support the Palestinian people.

• Terrorism and acts of war are never justifiable.

• Israel's defense is a rare issue that has bi-partisan support in Congress.

• Denver Mayor Mike Johnston was incredibly eloquent, speaking heart to heart and journeying with those in crisis. He shared about how parents' hearts are outside of themselves — in their children, cherished as part of themselves. He went on to recognize how Jewish Americans' hearts are in Israel, and assured those in attendance that he and Denver are holding them, part of our hearts, part of us. 

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THE ECC COUNCIL OF BISHOPS' STATEMENT ON THE WAR IN GAZA AND ISRAEL