By Currents News
In a solemn Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Brooklyn, Bishop Robert Brennan called on Catholics to dedicate time to prayer for peace, emphasizing its profound power in a world rife with violence and division.
“The world needs your prayers. Our city, our community needs your prayers,” Bishop Brennan said. “In a time when prayer is sometimes mocked for being just an empty expression of emotion, St. John Chrysostom reminds us that it’s far more powerful.”
The Mass on the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrow Mass marked a time to ask for God’s help in ending violence in New York City and around the world.
Parishioners at the Mass reflected on local and international crises unfolding โ like those in Ukraine, where Russian forces have claimed advances in several parts of the war-torn nation.
Russia has also launched joint military drills with Belarus, apparently to test the readiness of their armed forces.
In response, President Donald Trump urged NATO countries to collectively refrain from purchasing Russian oil, heightening geopolitical tensions.
Prayers extended to the Holy Land as well, where Israeli strikes targeted high-rise buildings in Gaza City on Sept. 14, with officials claiming the structures were used by Hamas militants. The attacks forced residents to evacuate hurriedly, grabbing belongings just moments before the impacts.
On Sept. 15 U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli leaders to discuss pathways to ending the ongoing war.
Meanwhile, Catholics in the Diocese of Brooklyn are doing their part in prayer.
“Jesus the risen Lord is present among us โ especially present among us when we gather in prayer,” Bishop Brennan said. “We ask Him to make of us instruments, agents of peace and reconciliation in the world.”
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