In response to the unrest and violence at the U.S. Capitol, the Fontbonne community has gathered together to pray for peace and unity in our nation.
The Offices of Mission & Ministry and School Counseling have created several sessions for our students and adults; providing safe spaces for them to share freely, pray together and acknowledge what they are experiencing in the aftermath of Wednesday's events.
Ms. Maura Spignesi, Head of School, shared a message with our families on the importance of today's courageous conversations. "As a community, we know it is our responsibility to acknowledge the impact it has on our students. We will provide safe spaces for community prayer and conversation centered on unity. As faith filled women of courage, we believe in peace and reconciliation and will come together to pray together for this in our country. We continue, at Fontbonne, to live our mission of inclusive love and lead through our example of respect, responsibility, reconciliation and reverence. "
This morning our entire community joined together virtually in prayer. We share with you the words we prayed:
God of Great Love, we are your people. You know us by many names. You are our God. We know you by many names.
May we find strength in our diversity and seek the courage to live in truth. Trusting in your will to guide our nation with leaders who seek wise counsel, work for the common good, and care for the most vulnerable of our dear neighbors many of whom are women and people of color.
For only in you can we live in safety. Only in you will we find justice. Only in you will we know the peace that surpasses all human understanding.
Help us remember your high calling to us to be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation, love and peace, healing and hope in a world made dark by fear and hatred and brokenness.
Help us to put aside our own feelings – jumbled and confused as they may be at the moment – to reach out with a Spirit of service towards others, our families and friends and neighbors – here and around the world.
Despite the pandemic and the current state of our nation, help us to remember the words of one of your servants of old who reminded us that ‘perfect love casts out fear’ (1 John 4:18) and that “good trouble” is rooted in hope, in hope for a better future, in the hope of a “more perfect union”.
Help us perfect our love. Amen.
