April 7, 2019 - "The Importance of Protecting Minors"

Every April, organizations that serve children and youth participate in National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  This included Catholic dioceses, parishes, and schools.  The purpose of this observance is to highlight the importance of protecting minors from abuse.  Such efforts are part of the ongoing work of the Catholic Church in the United States to carry out the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
 
In the March 24, 2019 bulletin we highlighted an important initiative and outreach of the Archdiocese of Washington to minister to all survivors of abuse, specifically through retreats for men and women who are victims of clerical sexual abuse.  A retreat for men will take place in the Fall.  A women’s retreat will take place on April 12-14, 2019.  The retreats will be an occasion for survivors to reflect on God’s plan for their lives and for healing through prayer and the sacraments.  If any women are interested in and want to register for the retreat, you can call Deborah McDonald at (301) 853-4466.  Or you could go to https://adw.org/the-way-retreat/.
 
Let me also indicate two other things that you could do in observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
 
Rosary for Healing and Protection.  I invite you to pray a rosary with special intentions for victims/survivors of abuse and the defense of the vulnerable.  There are copies of a Rosary Booklet on the Information Desk in the Gathering Space.
 
Novena for Protection and Healing.  I also invite you to spend time with the Lord during nine days in April to pray for the protection and healing of God’s little ones.  Copies of the novena will be on the table at the Information Desk in the Gathering Space.  Here are the intentions for the nine days:
 
Day One:  May the most vulnerable be protected from all types of abuse and exploitation.
 
Day Two:  May those who have been sexually abused receive comfort and healing.
 
Day Three:  May those who work with children and young people be vigilant in protecting them harm.
 
Day Four:  May those who provide help for the abused act with wisdom and compassion in their healing ministries.
 
Day Five:  May all families strive to provide safe and nurturing environments for children and young people.
 
Day Six:  May all those who committed abuse acknowledge the harm they have done, repent, and accept justice that ultimately comes from God.
 
Day Seven:  May those who have been abused receive the courage to tell their story, and may they be believed and supported.
 
Day Eight:  May Church leaders, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, promote justice and healing for survivors of abuse.
 
Day Nine: May our Holy Father, Pope Francis, fulfill his role as good shepherd and protect the most vulnerable in his flock.

Then one would pray one Our Father, three Hail Marys, one Glory Be, and then close with the following Prayer for Healing:
 
God of endless love, ever caring, ever strong, always present, always just.  You gave your only Son to save us by his blood on the cross.
 
Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to your suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.
 
Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters who have been gravely harmed, and the cries of those who love them. Soothe their restless hearts with hope, steady their shaken spirits with faith.  Grant them justice for their cause, enlightened by truth.
 
Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, heal your people’s wounds and transform brokenness into wholeness.  Grant us the courage and wisdom, humility and grace, to act with justice.  Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.  Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.  We ask this through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.
 
Until next week,
Fr. John