Coronavirus Response: “I am with you always”
“I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20
I recall the 9/11 crisis in our country and how vast numbers of people overnight felt unsafe because terrorists were able to reach into the heart of one of our largest cities and cause so much destruction. There was a remarkable level of self-sacrifice by first responders and also a profound turning to God, faith and Church. These helped our country recover and heal.
So, now we face another crisis of a different sort and magnitude. Nothing is scarier than to have our health threatened, possibly even to the extent of death. And at a scale that could impact most of our country.
What do we do in light of the present coronavirus pandemic? We learn from what worked during the 9/11 crisis. We bring to bear into this crisis the complementary powers of faith and reason. Exercising reason by following the directives of our civil and medical leaders. Exercising faith by turning to God and clinging to the promise of Jesus that He is with us always.
Despite the necessity of having to distance ourselves from each other and even cancelling Church services, Jesus is with us always! We need not face any fear connected to this virus alone. He is with us! Jesus will especially walk with the sick through this dark valley. You are not alone!
We Brothers are enduring the same fears and uncertainties. As Brothers of Hope we want to be witnesses and instruments of hope for all of our students, families and friends. We will be praying in solidarity and in a special way for those of you who God has brought into our care. We pray that you will know the hope that cannot fail because Jesus is with us always.
God bless you and keep you safe,
Br. Ken Apuzzo
General Superior
Brotherhood of Hope
Resources
Pray with Fr. Philip as he celebrates Daily Mass
Monday – Friday 8:05 a.m. EST and
Saturday 9:05 a.m. EST, through
Facebook or
YouTube
Pray with Fr. Paul as he celebrates Mass at 12:30 p.m. EST
every Sunday
Read how we are responding and staying connected at all five of our campuses
Additional Resources
USCCB Response to Coronavirus and Resources
Prayer from Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (directly from the USCCB website)
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.