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What Can I Do?

All of us have been affected by this tragedy and it is only natural that our first reaction (after the shock, horror and tears) is ask what can I do to help ease the suffering? There have been a number of initiatives spring up and here are a few of them.

PRAY

Our first response, particularly as Catholics is to pray. Leila at Little Catholic Bubble had a beautiful Quick Takes this week dedicated to the Newton tragedy. Her first Take says:

In First Century Palestine, the evil King Herod ordered the slaughter of all the male children two years and under, hoping to kill the Christ Child. Horror and grief filled the land, and their mothers could not be consoled. We ask the Holy Innocents for intercession in our own day.

A Prayer To The Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents, you died before you were old enough to know what life means, pray for all children who die young that God may gather them into His loving arms.

Holy Innocents, you were killed because one man was filled with hatred, pray for those who hate that God may touch their hearts and fill them with love.

Holy Innocents, you experienced a violent death, pray for all who are affected by violence that they may find peace and love.

Holy Innocents, your parents grieved for you with deep and lasting sorrow, pray for all parents who have lost young children that God may wrap a warm blanket of comfort around them.

Holy Innocents, those around you certainly felt helpless to prevent your deaths, pray for all who feel helpless in their circumstances that they may cling to God for courage and hope.

Holy Innocents, you who are now in Heaven, pray for all of us that one day we may join you there to bask in God’s love forever.

Amen.

Our Catholic Family

I first heard about this from Allison but it has seen been posted all over the internet. I am posting it again here in case some of you haven’t seen it yet.

When I first saw the photos from the tragedy at Newton, I noticed this one of two priests. I figured they must have been local priests who came to help support the families. Later, on Facebook, there was a letter posted from the sister of the younger priest in the photo. It reads:
My friends,

All of you, I am sure, have heard so much about the tragedy in Newtown, CT. Many of you have received emails from me about my younger brother, Father Luke Suarez, who is a priest at St. Rose of Lima parish, a Catholic church just down the road from Sandy Hook Elementary. He, and his pastor, Monsignor Weiss, arrived at the school within moments of the shooting, and have been caring for the community ever since. The picture I have included was taken at the school.

Father Luke has an impossible task before him. His diocese is without a bishop right now…. Monsignor … is personally devastated by the losses. The parish is very large…. The rectory has received serious threats, and as my brother gave the homily Sunday at the noon mass, the church had to be evacuated by SWAT teams. After experiencing identity theft and online hacking incidents, he had to erase all of his internet accounts. After a weekend of endless media requests, notifications and vigils with heartbroken families, and little sleep, he now has two wakes and two funerals every day, until the fourth Sunday of Advent. Father Luke has not even been ordained two years.

My large family has been trying to send Father Luke our love and support from afar, and one of my brothers was able to visit with him briefly a couple times. All he asks for is prayer.

I have been wracking my brain, trying to think of a way that our beautiful, loving community could tangibly reach out to Father Luke, Monsignor Weiss, and the St. Rose parish, to support them in this most awful of times. I have sent many prayer requests, and I am asking for more prayers again. But I also want to ask everyone to search their hearts, and if the Holy Spirit moves you, please consider sending one of your family’s Christmas cards to the rectory, with a few words of love and encouragement. Here is his address:

Father Luke Suarez
46 Church Hill Road
Newtown, CT 06470

My brother has said over and over again that without the prayer support he is receiving, he could not keep going. And this week is only the beginning. Everyone there is still in shock. Their peaceful home has been desecrated by violence. They will need to live with this sorrow forever.

But in our weakness is His strength. Grace abounds. Can you help me carry him through this time of trial?

On a hopeful note, Father Luke did say that no media coverage has even touched the deep, beautiful awakening of faith that has occurred there. Their tiny church, where my children have received sacraments and where Luke was ordained, has been full of people in prayer without ceasing since this tragedy happened. Love is stronger than death.

Please feel free to share the address with your family, friends, and community. An outpouring of love will sustain these good priests through their impossible ministry–impossible on their own, but possible with God.

I am so grateful to live in this community. We are all so blessed with one another. Every day, I see you all loving one another as Christ loved. Thank you for letting me reach out to you now.

With humble appreciation.

There is also an article about Fr. Weiss, the older priest in the photo, here.

Sandy Hook Students’ New School

Members of Connecticut’s Parent Teacher Student Association have posted ways people can help out the community of Newton. There website states:

Connecticut PTSA is deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck our Newtown community. We have met with the PTA and community leaders in Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary to offer our assistance at this very difficult time. They have asked us to spearhead the following efforts on their behalf:

Snowflakes for Sandy Hook

Please help the students of Sandy Hook have a winter wonderland at their new school! Get Creative!! Make and send snowflakes to Connecticut PTSA, 60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103, Hamden, CT 06514, by January 12, 2013. Snowflakes can also be delivered to CT PTSA. Please call us before for office hours at 203-281-6617.

Coins for Sandy Hook

Students can collect spare change to support their peers at Sandy Hook. Other fundraising ideas include Walk- A -Thons, Spirit Days, Pajamas Days, etc. Please send contributions to “Connecticut PTSA Sandy Hook Fund” by February 14, 2013.

There are more ideas and direct link to donate here.

#26Acts

Ann Curry of NBC News has suggested that we do 20 acts of kindness in honor of the 20 children who were killed at Sandy Hook. (It was later changed to 26 to include the adults.) People have joined in and posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #26Acts or #26ActsofKindness. (I added an extra act for the gunman’s mother who was killed.)

Some people have complained that it is merely a trend and that we as Christians/Catholics should be doing these things anyway without publicly boasting about them. That’s true but the brutal violence of Newton has shaken people to the core and they are feeling vulnerable, cynical or depressed. It difficult for people who have some concept of the value of redemptive suffering and the hope of the cross, so imagine how it is for those who don’t have God in their lives.

I see these acts as a reminder that there is still good in the world and that God can bring light and hope out of evil. These acts allow the Holy Spirit to work in people who don’t even know who the Holy Spirit is. As for wanting to keep it private, I have offered up acts of kindness that I kept to myself. Others I have posted on Twitter to inspire someone else to join in. With each act I tried to add a specific prayer.

Here are a few ideas I’ve done so far:

• Tried to spend the day caring for my rambunctious boys without complaining. Prayed for the mamas who are no longer able to hold their babies in their arms.

• Gave an extra large tip to my food server. Prayed for the dads who came home from work and no longer had their son or daughter waiting for them.

• Helped an elderly woman at Costco. Prayed for the service people who first responded to Sandy Hook.

• Sent a $50 gift card to a family that is struggling financially. Prayed for those who are suffering from despair.

• Gave money to a homeless person and talked to my kids about respecting human life and treating all people with love and dignity. Prayed for those suffering from mental illness and for moms contemplating an abortion.

There are numerous things you and your family can do and they don’t need to cost any money and you don’t have to post it anywhere, unless you want to. We can all use that reminder to put the corporal and spiritual works of mercy into action.

If you need a few ideas to get inspired, visit here and scroll down.

Whatever you chose to do just pray, act  and pay it forward.