Prayer and Discussion Resources

Frequently, the circumstances leading to an emergency overseas are not well-known or understood by people in the United States. To assist people with understanding complex emergencies, such as the conflict in the Holy Land or the HIV pandemic, CRS creates informational backgrounders, discussion resources and prayer services that you can access and share with people in your diocese. Additional prayers and links will be added on a regular basis.

Prayer and Intercessions for East Africa

We hope the Prayer and Intercessions for East Africa will be of practical use when gathering as a community to offer support to East Africa.

Prayer and Intercessions for the Turkey Earthquake Emergency

We hope the parishes and communities within your diocese will find the Prayer and Intercessions for the Earthquake Victims of Turkey of practical use during gatherings to offer support for Turkey.

Homily/Reflection on CRS Global Fellows' visit to Ethiopia

In the spring of 2011, the Global Fellows' program traveled to Ethiopia and this homily reflects on the experience and was given at a mass commemorating St. Charles Lwanga and Companions, the Martyrs of Uganda.

Prayer and Petitions for the Pakistan Flood Emergency

We hope the Prayer for Pakistan and Petitions will be of practical use when gathering as a community to offer support to Pakistan.

Global Hunger Resources

Hunger diminishes the lives of many throughout the world. These resources can be used to pray for the elimination of hunger and raise awareness among children using M & M candies in a simple exercise.

HIV and AIDS Prayer Resource

The global HIV pandemic is the world's most pressing public health issue and the leading challenge to long-term social and economic development. Pray for those living with HIV and AIDS.

Prayer to St. Damien and a Prayer from the Liturgy of Saint Damien

On October 11, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI canonized Father Damien de Veuster. Saint Damien of Molokai is the patron saint of the Diocese of Honolulu and Hawaii. He is also considered the spiritual patron for Hansen's disease, HIV and AIDS patients and outcasts. We hope the Prayer to St. Damien and a Prayer from the Liturgy of Saint Damien will be of practical use when gathering as a community.

St. Damien through his love for God and his compassionate treatment of people suffering with leprosy, serves as an example to us how we should treat those living with HIV and AIDS.

Sudan: Remembering, Responding and Rebuilding

The following tools are available to educate your parishes and communities about the crisis in Sudan: Sudan: Remembering, Responding, Rebuilding Backgrounder, Map of Darfur Affected By Conflict, Prayer Service for Sudan and West Darfur Field Atlas.

Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI Holy Land Visit

Excerpts from Pope Benedict XVI Holy Land Visits provides selected excerpts from Pope Benedict's statements during his 2009 Holy Land pilgrimage which can serve as references on why U.S. Catholics should advocate peace in the region.

Prayers and Petitions for Peace in the Middle East and Holy Land

We hope the prayers below will be of practical use when gathering as a community. We encourage you to creatively adapt these prayers to meet the specific needs, diverse backgrounds and time constraints of those who gather to pray.

Prayer Without Borders

A Day of Reflection on Global Solidarity is a mini-retreat plan providing guidelines, activities and handouts for a 3-hour retreat using prayers and stories. The format is ideal for groups of 16 to 30. It includes communal prayer, visual arts, storytelling and drama, personal reflection and commissioning.

Prayer Resources for Youth and Young Adults

Additional prayer and retreat materials modeled for youth and young adults are available on the CRS Education: Going Global with Youth site.

Environment

Promote the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor
Promote the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor in your parishes, schools and youth groups. Please visit the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change site for prayers, bulletin inserts and liturgy suggestions to celebrate the life and witness of St. Francis in your diocese. The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change draws support and guidance from Catholic Relief Services along with a growing number of national Catholic organizations.

The Beauty of God's Creation Retreat is a half day retreat on the environment that you can utilize in your parish and community using reflections, prayers and information to affirm the beauty of God's creation.