This week has been another shock to our system as we heard the horrifying news of the massacre of 21 innocent children and teachers in Robb Elementary School, Uvalde, Texas. It is devastating to watch the damage done to that whole community. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of those who were killed and all the families of children who were traumatized. It will take years for them to recover and heal from this trauma. The damage done is not just the loss of life but the loss of safety, peace, and trust. Our Parish School Principal, Ann Kozlovsky, has emailed parents providing them resources and asking them to contact her if they need any additional support for their children. Resources are available here for Grief Counseling and Talking To Children About Violence
Coming from Ireland, where there is very limited access to guns nationally, I have never understood the general access to guns in this country. Some may point me to the second amendment and how important that is for the history of our country. I hear you, but we are no longer in the 18th century fighting the English or French. We need stronger controls on guns for sure, and we ought to advocate for common-sense controls nationally.
But there is another level to this violence and tragedy that I want to talk about—the mental health of that 18-year-old man. Nobody in their right mind will kill children. The children have done no harm to him or cannot be perceived to be a threat to him. I do not want to jump to conclusions, but after attending the Mental Health Ministry conference last weekend, it seems clear to me that there is a serious mental illness issue at hand as well as access to guns.
Our faith demands that we treat all people with love. We need to find a way to treat those who are struggling with all sorts of mental illness issues before they reach a point of violence like this. We need to help them de-escalate situations in their own lives. We need more resources for those suffering from mental illness. If we are going to advocate for gun reform, we need to also advocate for more mental health resources in all communities.
What can we do as disciples of Jesus and as a community of faith? We need to care for each other and most especially we need to care for those who are struggling with the stressors in their own lives. I hope you will reach out to those around you and love those who are struggling with whatever traumas are happening in their own lives. Be kind. Be gentle. Listen. Be open to helping in simple ways. We are in this life together and we are stronger when we help and love each other.
This weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, and we remember all those who gave their lives serving and defending our country. As you gather as families, I ask that you share a moment of silence, remembering those who have gone before us, giving their lives for our country and the freedom we enjoy today. Please pray for all our armed service members who have died serving our country. Please also pray for the families in the community of Uvalde and those fighting in Ukraine to defend their country. Let’s continue to pray for peace.
To support the Ukrainian refugees, Tamami Honma, our Choir Director, and John Angotti, our resident artist and members of Cal Arte Ensemble and the San Francisco Brass Band, are putting on a fundraising concert held here at St Simon on June 18. Admission is free, but donations are strongly encouraged. There will be an online donation form on our website. Please join us and bring your friends for an evening of powerful classical and contemporary music to unite in prayer for the people of Ukraine.
Finally, I ask you to say a prayer for me. Yesterday, May 27, I celebrated the 22nd anniversary of my priesthood. These last two years have been a bit of a blur, and the pandemic years feel like the blimp in the Marvel Movies. While this last year was one of the most painful in my life, it was also one of the most powerful for my faith. As I have said before, the longer I serve as a priest, the less I understand God but the more I experience his love, especially in this community of faith. For this year, you carried me when I was too weak to continue, healed me when I was broken, assured me when I doubted and loved me when I was wounded. Our Catholic community has strengthened my belief in the presence of our loving God, especially in times of silence. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and say a prayer for my priesthood and health.
Please share your love with your family this Memorial Day weekend and love them in this present moment, not tomorrow when they finish something, or next week when they graduate, or next month when they get a bonus. Love them now in all their brokenness, woundedness, beauty, and glory. Love them now and give them a big hug.
God bless,
Fr. Brendan