Pray for Us
Everyone has something to contribute to the CMC. Focusing your thoughts and prayers on the individuals and families seeking assistance at the Center and on the people striving to provide assistance, is something each and every person can give. All are welcome during business hours to pray in the CMC Chapel.
Prayer for Migrants and Refugees
US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Lord Jesus, when you multiplied the loaves and fishes, you provided more than food for the body, you offered us the gift of yourself, the gift which satisfies every hunger and quenches every thirst! Your disciples were filled with fear and doubt, but you poured out your love and compassion on the migrant crowd, welcoming them as brothers and sisters.
Lord Jesus, today you call us to welcome the members of God’s family who come to our land to escape oppression, poverty, persecution, violence, and war. Like your disciples, we too are filled with fear and doubt and even suspicion. We build barriers in our hearts and in our minds.
Lord Jesus, help us by your grace,
– To banish fear from our hearts, that we may embrace each of your children as our own brother and sister;
– To welcome migrants and refugees with joy and generosity, while responding to their many needs;
– To realize that you call all people to your holy mountain to learn the ways of peace and justice;
– To share of our abundance as you spread a banquet before us;
– To give witness to your love for all people, as we celebrate the many gifts they bring.
We praise you and give you thanks for the family you have called together from so many people. We see in this human family a reflection of the divine unity of the one Most Holy Trinity in whom we make our prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Petitions for Care for the Poor
Adapted from US Catholic Charities
Confident that God always hears the cry of the poor, we lift up the following needs:
Give the church the grace to be a “poor church for the poor,” and so become an even greater sign to the world of Christ’s charity for the least and those in need.
Give the people of our nation the collective will to make the economic, social, and political choices to reverse the human-made disaster of poverty, and so offer a new vision of life and society.
Give those in elected office the conviction and courage to promote social policies and economic structures which reduce poverty and promote a just distribution of the world’s goods.
Give those who struggle with poverty renewed hope, economic and educational opportunity, and dignified work in safe conditions for just wages, that they might live in economic security.
Give us open hearts that we might willingly share our gifts with others, follow Jesus in his own poverty, and seek his face in the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters.
Give to the Catholic Multicultural Center and other organizations of good will the leadership and resources needed to reduce poverty in the communities they serve.
God of bounty, your son Jesus embraced poverty and taught that the poor are blessed, for “theirs is the kingdom of God.” Help us to step out of our certainties and comforts and keep our eyes fixed on our Creator, so we can both see and serve the Divine in the faces of the poor.
Amen.