A Novena Against Gun Violence Loving God, You created for us a world of beauty, order and endless possibilities. But today ours is a world often in chaos: war, famine, drought, so many “isms,” lack of respect for life and for one another. In this country we face these issues day after day. One of these is uppermost in our minds these days—the horror of gun violence which continues to ravage our nation, our society, our people, even the youngest of our children.
Two most recent two episodes of the Justice Rising podcast feature guests who work toward preventing gun violence:
Spirit God, we give you all names: Holy, Sanctifier, Paraclete, Advocate. Yet you are so much more: Challenger, Nudger, whirling Wind and engulfing Fire, Mover, Enabler, Lover, Breath of Life. Be that for us, we pray. Instill in us your gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, reverence and awe. Pentecost us. Enable us to be as daring as the newly inspired apostles—to be bold in our defense of the right of all persons to feel safe wherever we are, unafraid of being forever silenced by those who are armed with weapons and anger and sometimes even hatred. Give us the courage to speak the Word. Give us the audacity to take the actions needed to end this needless violence.
EPISODE 31 WITH GUEST
Angela Howard-McParland Justice Resource Manager Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
In the name of our Creator God, in the name of the Word of Life, and in the name of the Fire of Love.
Dios amoroso, tú creaste para nosotros un mundo de belleza, orden e infinitas posibilidades. Pero hoy el nuestro es un mundo a menudo sumido en el caos: guerra, hambre, sequía, tantos «ismos», falta de respeto por la vida y por los demás. En este país nos enfrentamos a estos problemas día tras día. Uno de ellos es el que más nos preocupa estos días: el horror de la violencia armada que sigue asolando nuestra nación, nuestra sociedad, nuestro pueblo, incluso a los más jóvenes de nuestros niños. Espíritu Dios, te damos todos los nombres: Santo, Santificador, Paráclito, Abogado. Sin embargo, eres mucho más: Desafiador, Empujador, Viento arremolinado y Fuego envolvente, Movedor, Facilitador, Amante, Aliento de vida. Que así sea para nosotros, te lo pedimos. Infunde en nosotros tus dones de sabiduría, inteligencia, consejo, fortaleza, ciencia, piedad y temor de Dios. Haznos Pentecostés. Permítenos ser tan atrevidos como los apóstoles recién inspirados: ser audaces en nuestra defensa del derecho de todas las personas a sentirse seguras dondequiera que estemos, sin miedo a ser silenciados para siempre por los que están armados con armas e ira y a veces incluso con odio. Danos el valor de decir la Palabra. Danos la audacia de emprender las acciones necesarias para poner fin a esta violencia innecesaria. En nombre de nuestro Dios Creador, en nombre de la Palabra de Vida y en nombre del Fuego del Amor. Amén. B Y M I C H E L E B I S A I L L O N, D H S
Reprinted with permission from Nuns Against Gun Violence 14
W I N T E R 2 0 2 4 • N O. 1 4 0
In this episode, titled “Nothing Less of a Culture Change,” host Cecilia Flores talks with Angela about her work with Nuns Against Gun Violence and how religious sisters bring a unique perspective to justice issues, since their work in communities fuels their passion for advocacy and structural change. EPISODE 32 WITH GUEST
Alex Castro (She/They) Field Organizer Alliance for Gun Responsibility In this episode, Cecilia talks with Alex Castro about the Alliance for Gun Responsibility’s advocacy efforts for policy reform to end gun violence. To listen to the episodes, visit ipjc.org/justice-rising-podcast or tune in to Justice Rising podcast on whatever platform you listen to podcasts.
Photo of Angela Howard-McParland used with permission; Other images IPJC unless noted
Amen.