NATIONAL PRAYER FOR CANADA IN THE WAKE OF COVID–19
Composed by Rabbi Dr. Reuven P. Bulka & Archbishop Terrence PrendergastO God, We gather together separated by life-saving distancing, but united more than ever in spirit; We know we are in a war against COVID - 19 together, and the more together we are, the better and stronger we will emerge: We know the challenges are enormous, yet so are the opportunities; That whether we are in isolation with loved ones, or alone, we will have abundance of time; We commit to using that time to the max, to help those in greater need in whatever way we can; We know we all have the opportunity, and time, to be life savers and life enhancers; We give thanks for those who are on the front line taking care of those who are not well; We give thanks for the researchers who are working at breakneck speed to find cure and vaccine; We give thanks for our leaders, federal, provincial and local, for their dedication to all of us; We give thanks for the providers of our daily needs who go to work in spite of the risk; We give thanks for those who have ramped up their ability to produce life-saving supplies. We pray for the well-being of all our life savers; For those who are not well, that they recover fully; For those enduring difficulty, that they may overcome their challenges. We pray that a cure and vaccine will soon be available, And that we all – family, friends, all Canadians, the entire world may be healed in body and spirit. We ask you, O God, to bless our leaders, our front line care givers, our life savers and life enhancers. We ask you, O God, to bless Canada, to bless the world, to bless everyone. Amen.
At the Manresa Spiritual Renewal Centre in Pickering, ON, retreatants of all ages can encounter a God of surprises.
In June, 2024, the domed roof and interior of St. Anne's Anglican Church in Toronto tragically burned down. However, the parish community continues to stand strong and serve its neighbourhood.
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Pope Francis invites us to pray for the right to an education for migrants, refugees and those affected by war; that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, may always be respected.
I had the wonderful opportunity to meet with the CND sisters and enjoy a special lunch of soup, pizza, salad, and dessert. While I was there, I thought it would be a great opportunity to ask the sisters about what they were looking forward to this Christmas.