Our country is in desperate need of healing and hope. As Catholics, we have a perfect opportunity to witness the love of Christ for all our sisters and brothers during these trying times. We must stand together as a community of faith, hope, and love and witness across our country that faith is a grounding force in our lives. Together we can address issues that are harming our one family by listening to each other, by compromising, by serving each other and most especially by praying.

As Pope Francis tells us in “Fratelli Tutti,” “Only a gaze transformed by charity can enable the dignity of others to be recognized.” Let us each stop gazing inward and begin to focus with charity on living together as brothers and sisters, despite our differences. Together we can be a powerful force for healing and hope in our country. Immaculate Mary, patron of these United States, pray for us.

Eileen Sleva

Beaverton