As I was saying goodbye to my youngest before school this morning, I was a little concerned about how he would go presenting his homework, that he would have a friend to play with and that he would be able to self-regulate because he is a little tired. These are normal Friday morning concerns for me. I don’t worry that he won’t come home.

As humans we can be shocked and outraged at yet more young lives lost. As parents we can hold our babies a little closer tonight. As Australians we can be so grateful that we are not in the same position. But we can do very little to change the laws in the United States. 

All we can do, as Catholics is pray. Pray for peace and love and common sense to finally prevail.

As Jesus holds those little ones and their teachers gently in the palm of his hand, we pray for their parents, families, and school community. Pope Francis said:

"The Second Amendment did not come down from Sinai. The right to bear arms will never be more important than human life. Our children have rights too. And our elected officials have a moral duty to protect them."

Pope Francis May 2022

May God bless us all.

Stephanie Stewart
Religious Education Coordinator