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A Message from Fr. Cooper on the Elementary School Massacre in Uvalde, Texas
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Our country has suffered another horrific school shooting that has claimed the lives of many innocent children and two adults who fell victim to a young gunman’s rage. Once again, our nation is heartbroken, this time over an incident of senseless violence at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. We are overwhelmed with sadness over this devastating tragedy and its resulting loss of innocent life. We grieve with those who lost children and loved ones, and we ask God for healing for those who were injured. As people of faith, we condemn the evil of violence and pray for the gift of peace.
Words of outrage are not enough to express our condemnation of this evil done to little children who simply went to school this morning. Expressions of sorrow scarcely touch the depth of families’ grief tonight. There is nothing we can say today to comfort the parents, siblings, and grandparents whose lives were left in ruins by this senseless violence.
However, because I believe in Jesus, I am convinced that sin and death are defeated and darkness will never prevail over the light of the resurrection. Because I believe in eternal life, I trust that the senseless murder of these innocent children is not the final thing to be said about them. If the Gospel is true, then it is true in all times and in all places, including in Uvalde. If God is with us, then He is with us even in those times and places where it seems that death and darkness have prevailed.
Jesus loves the little children. He tells the disciples to move aside and make room for them, and He takes the children in His arms and blesses them. In your prayers, make room for the children of Uvalde—all of them, and of all ages—and pray for all victims of violence that the Peace of Christ will be known and welcomed.
I ask the parishioners and friends of Divine Mercy Parish and all people of goodwill to join together with me in prayer for the victims of this shooting and their families, for all the public safety responders, and for the southwest Texas communities stunned by this unthinkable incident. May our witness of prayer and solidarity help move people to action leading to meaningful changes that promote school safety and the safety of all people from the scourge of violence and encourage the building up of a culture of life. And may the God of all love and compassion bring consolation and healing to those whose lives were shattered by this horrible incident.
If you would like to donate to help the families who are suffering in the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, please make a donation to our Robb School Memorial Fund. We have partnered with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, First State Bank of Uvalde, and San Antonio’s University Health hospital, where many patients were sent for treatment in the aftermath of the attack.
These funds will be used to support families of Robb Elementary as identified by local social workers and grief counselors. Donations may be made online, by text, or by placing a gift in the Sunday collection. See below for details.
GIVE NOW
Text ROBB to (504) 500-4666
or CLICK HERE
