Weekend of Prayer & Reflection
May 23-25, 2023
ACT is joining with the City of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, the Capital Gazette, and the Caucus of African American Leaders to remember the shooting at the Capital Gazette on June 28, 2018 and recommit ourselves to the work of ending gun violence. Learn more about ACT here
SABB Parishioners are invited to pray together on this 5th Anniversary of the Capital Gazette shooting.
Prayers excerpted from Interfaith Toolkit DC, page 49-52, "Catholic Prayer Service to End Gun Violence", https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ul3neaJUfaI4uRLZZ9_gB6lzv3PopMa3/view.
Rosary for the 5 Capital Gazette shooting victims and their families
Pray a decade for each victim and their family: Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara, Rebecca Smith, and Wendi Winters.
Litany for the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath
A: Giver of Life and Love, you created all people as one family and called us to live together in
harmony and peace. Surround us with your love as we face the challenges and tragedies of gun
violence.
B: We pray for the victims of gun violence, the more than 40,000 who die each year from
homicide, suicide, and accidental shootings; those wounded and suffering; and the family
members and friends grieving the loss of loved ones and caring for survivors.
A: We pray for first responders, whose duties bring them to the homes, the streets, the lobbies,
the schools, and the malls where the carnage of gun violence takes place day after day. Give
them sound judgment and compassion as they rush to aid others.
B: We pray for our civic leaders, legislators, and judges who bear the responsibility to promote
the common good. Give them wisdom to discern what is right and courage to act in the face of
powerful political forces.
A: God of Justice, help us, your church, find our voice. Empower us to protest the needless
deaths caused by gun violence and to advocate for effective change.
All: All this we pray in the name of the One who offered his life so that we might live, Jesus the
Christ. Amen.
Prayer of Peace
Peace before us, peace behind us, peace under our feet.
Peace within us, peace over us, let all around us be peace.
Love before us, love behind us, love under our feet.
Love within us, love over us, let all around us be love.
Light before us, light behind us, light under our feet.
Light within us, light over us, let all around us be light.