Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus,
"If the Earth were your body, you would be able to feel the many areas where it is suffering. War, political and economic oppression, famine and pollution wreak havoc in so many places ... Many people are aware of the world's suffering; their hearts are filled with compassion. They engage in political, social and environmental work to try to change things.. but after a period of intense involvement, they may become discouraged if they lack the strength needed to sustain a life of action. Real strength is not in power, money or weapons, but in deep, inner peace." (Thich Nhat Hanh, Peace Is Every Step)
As people of faith, we know that the pathway to inner peace is prayer. Such prayer is more than just "saying prayers". The prayers we offer are meant to establish communication with God so that we not only voice our concerns, petitions and praise, but also, and most importantly, we listen to God and allow God to transform our heart.
Our nation is relentlessly moving closer to the brink of war. It wont take much to cross the line that will plunge us into violent conflict. What can you and I do? It is easy to be overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, impotency, fear, panic and guilt. Unlike the fabled Chicken Little who ran in panic screaming to everyone she met, "The sky is falling!" I invite you to come together in prayer, to cultivate that inner peace in which lies true strength, and from that place, to seek God's guidance so that you might put your faith into action.
Our Blessed Mother allowed God's word to take flesh in her. She brought Jesus, the Prince of Peace into this world. Her feast under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes, is celebrated on Tuesday February 11th. Using that feast as a focal point, I want to encourage you to participate in this concentrated effort of a novena of prayer for peace, beginning on Sunday, February 2nd. Privately, you may wish to pray the Miraculous Medal Novena , or to pray the rosary, particularly focusing on the five new mysteries of light. At the church, booklets for the novena payers will be made available, and also cards with the new mysteries of the rosary will be provided. Publicly, we will gather in the church for a holy hour of prayer with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for three nights beginning on Sunday, February 9th, from 7:30 until 8:30 P.M., again on Monday and on Tuesday, February I Ith culminating with Benediction.

"Peace will be but an empty sounding word unless it is founded on truth, built according to justice, vivified and integrated by charity, and put into practice in freedom." (Blessed John XXIII, Pacem In Terris)

Come let us join in prayer for peace before it's too late.

Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Tom
Rev. Msgr. Thomas L. Spadaro
Pastor