THE DIOCESE OF KALAMAZOO
Office of the Bishop
August 22, 2014
Queenship of the Blessed Mother
My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Each day we are confronted with new and tragic reports on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Together
we grieve the suffering and loss of lives of thousands of Christians and other innocent victims—many who are
children and the elderly—vulnerable sisters and brothers in the human family in special need of our prayers and
assistance. The barbaric killing of Journalist James Foley by ISIS, and the threat of ongoing violence and merciless,
random torture by this group, defies our civilized comprehension. In addition, the ongoing dire situation in Ukraine,
and the racial unrest within our own country in Ferguson, Mo. are additional reasons why our world perhaps now
more than ever needs our heartfelt prayers and generous assistance.
I echo the words of Pope Francis who so eloquently stated: “May the God of peace arouse in all an authentic
desire for dialogue and reconciliation. Violence cannot be overcome with violence. Violence is overcome with
peace!”
As prayer is the ultimate source of our spiritual strength for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all
things are possible—I am asking that August 27, 2014, the Memorial of St. Monica, a devoted spiritual
caregiver and the mother of our diocesan patron St. Augustine, be set aside as a “Day of Prayer for Peace.”
To mark this special day I will be celebrating the 12:10 p.m. Mass at St. Augustine Cathedral, Kalamazoo.
Additionally, I call our Catholic Faithful people and all people of good will everywhere to observe this Day of
Prayer—through participation in Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, praying of the rosary or fasting/offering up your
personal sacrifices, or simply finding a few quiet moments to remember all those impacted by this violent conflict—
praying for Peace in the world.
In addition to our fervent spiritual support, I join with my fellow bishops from around the country in asking for
our financial support through a Special Collection to be taken up in our parishes throughout our diocese on
the weekends of September 6 and 7 or September 13 and 14. Collection funds will be sent to Catholic Relief
Services and other Catholic agencies working so diligently and amazingly to provide humanitarian relief efforts on
the ground in these war-torn countries.
In a few short weeks I will have the great privilege of joining with twenty other bishops from around the
United States for a “Pilgrimage for Peace to the Holy Land” from September 10-19, 2014. During this pilgrimage we
will be meeting with leaders of the Church as well as civic leaders, discussing and praying together for peaceful
solutions to the age-old conflicts in that holy part of the world. Please keep me, and all my brother bishops, in your
own prayers during this time.
May God’s Holy Spirit shine upon all those seeking wisdom to bring about peace in the world, and may our
sisters and brothers in the human family feel our solidarity through our prayers and support.
Asking the blessings of our Loving God to come upon you, and the Love of Christ the Prince of Peace to
bring Peace to our world, I remain
Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Paul J. Bradley
Bishop of Kalamazoo
215 N. Westnedge Ave.  Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3706