Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 6, 2013
Voice of Freedom, many immigrants living in the United States have expressed the desire to become citizens. We understand and applaud their aspirations.
Survey: 63% of Americans say they support legislation to create a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally.
18% want these immigrants to be identified and deported. (Public Religion Research Institute)
Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 4, 2013 Compassionate One, in the United States and elsewhere around the world, mentally ill people and their families are not getting the help they need.
Fact: American states cut $4.3 billion in mental health services between 2009 and 2012, even though 10 percent more people sought care during that period. The U.S. per capita psychiatric bed population is now the same as it was in 1850 when the need to take care of mentally ill people was first recognized in the country. (The Daily Beast)
Posted by Frederic Brussat on December 2, 2013 Protector of Refugees, after three years of civil war in Syria, this refugee crisis is bigger than the one caused by the Rwandan genocide. Look after these people who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
Fact: Numbering 300,000 last year, Syrian refugees now total 2.1 million and the United Nations predicts their numbers could swell to 3.5 million by the end of the year. (New York Times) Balm to the Weary, may the world send help to these who are suffering in this unrelenting crisis.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 27, 2013 Companion of the Lonely, tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the United States, a time when many will gather with family and friends for a feast. Others will be alone and feeling lonely on this day.
Study: 27% of Americans lived alone last year, In contrast, in 1970, only 17% lived in single person households. (Wall Street Journal)
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 25, 2013 O Peaceful God, help us keep our children away from the attractions of violence and revenge.
Study: The amount of gun violence in movies rated PG-13 has more than tripled since 1985, according to a new study in the journal Pediatrics. The average American sees seven movies in theatres every year and those with this rating are often the highest grossing. (CNN.com)
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 22, 2013 O Great Nourisher, we give thanks for nuts from trees.
Study: Eating nuts can reduce your risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and several other ailments, according to Harvard research published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine. Over the three-decade study, people who regularly ate nuts were 20 percent less likely than non-nut-eaters to die of any cause — even if they didn't exercise. (Boston Globe) May we make the most of these life preservers.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 20, 2013 O Merciful One, we ask that you send your tender mercies to men and women suffering unjustly in prisons for minor offenses.
Report: As of 2012, there were 3,278 prisoners serving sentences of life without parole for nonviolent crimes such as stealing a $159 jacket, trying to cash a stolen check or shoplifting. Many of them were struggling with mental illness, drug dependency, or financial desperation when they committed these crimes. (ACLU)
O God of Justice, animate us to action and help us to end cruel mandatory sentencing laws.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 18, 2013 Compassionate One, our hearts go out this day to the one in seven Americans – 47 million people – who are buying and eating less because of cuts in the food stamp program.
Fact: The largest cuts in the history of America's food stamp program have gone into effect when the increase ordained by the 2009 economic stimulus package expired. The reductions total $5 billion. (Slate.com)*
Generous One, help us all to give more to Food Banks and programs delivering food to those in need to make up for this cruel and inhuman treatment of the nation's poorest people.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 15, 2013 All Seeing One, we are so grateful for the largely ignored and unheralded services of millions of people who work aboard the cargo ships that bring us our food, clothes, and other goods we use every day.
Review: In his review of Rose George's book Ninety Percent of Everything: Inside Shipping, the Invisible Industry That Puts Clothes on Your Back, Gas in Your Car, and Food on Your Plate, Dwight Garner writes about the large container ships that are staffed mainly by Filipinos who speak good English and are paid low wages. Global shipping doesn't often make the news but we are given a glimpse of this world in three recent movies: Captain Phillips, A Hijacking, and All is Lost. Two thousand seafarers die each year, and they also face the dangers of hijacking by sea pirates. (The New York Times) O Gracious Captain, may cargo ship crews find fulfillment in their work and be safe on their voyages.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on November 13, 2013 Creator God, we have learned that 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in China.
Observation: Beijing is filled with people wearing masks over their nose and mouth to protect against the dirty air. Commentators have referred to this pollution as an "airpocalypse" and many long-term health problems have been traced to it. (onearth.org)
Protector of Gaia, let all countries live with love and respect for the environment, including the air that surrounds us and fills our lungs with the breath of life. Help us find ways to prevent air pollution.
The daily news summons us to prayer. The people, situations, and events of our times call out for our compassion and God's healing presence. In this blog we will pray in a variety of forms as we lift up the needs of the world. We hope that by praying the news in this way we will also expand both our spirituality and our practice. More