ALL ARE WELCOME!

A Message from Msgr. David LiPuma to all OLV Faithful and the WNY Community:

As I try to wrap my head and heart around the senseless and tragic loss of life yesterday at the Tops Supermarket on Jefferson Street in Buffalo…

First and foremost, our deepest sympathy and prayers go out to all of the families, whose family members were murdered yesterday as well as to the entire African American community, who are indeed our brothers and sisters.  No words can take away the intense pain and suffering that so many are experiencing at this moment in time.

I think of how often I take it for granted that I can walk in and out of a supermarket - like Tops or Wegmans - and never worry about my safety.  I can’t imagine what it must feel like to be a black male or female and think what happened yesterday could happen to me.

There are many political speeches be given right now and many words of outrage.  I find myself asking the question, what can I do and not just say…

When words fail us at a time like this and we are overcome with grief and loss… may we realize that to change our culture and our society for the better… to root out bigotry, hatred, and discrimination in all of its forms and to overcome the evil of white supremacy…it truly begins within each one of us… in our thoughts, our words, and our deeds.

In the words taken from the prayer for Father Baker’s Canonization, let us be inspired by Father Baker’s outreach to all people regardless of the color of their skin or the status of their life:

“Lord, you gave us Your Servant Nelson Baker as an example of service to the poor, homeless, and young. By Father Baker’s ardent concern for those in need, inflame our hearts and lives with compassion for the poor, justice for the oppressed, hope for the troubled, and courage to those in doubt.”

Let us also pray the words of the Prayer of St. Francis and make them our own today:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred , let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled, as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen!

May all those who died yesterday as a result of this senseless and tragic loss of life rest now in the eternal embrace of our loving and merciful God.  May God grant comfort and consolation to all who are mourning.  And, may God bless our City of Buffalo, the Greater Community of WNY, and indeed our entire country and world with peace and justice for all!

Be assured of my special prayers and blessings for all of you and your loved ones.

Father David