2 Attacks in Texas with Several Killed including Children - Catholic Bishops of Texas Call for Prayer
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Victims range in age from 5 to 61 years old, authorities said. Pictured are the victims of the shooting: Please continue to keep their families lifted up in your prayers. Christian LaCour, 20, Farmersville, security guard at the Outlet Mall. Aishwarya Thatikonda, 27, McKinney, an engineer, her family’s still in India. Kyu Cho, 37, Cindy Cho, 35, James Cho, 3, Plano. Their 6 year old son, William, was also shot and has been released from the ICU. He’s the only member of the family who survived. Sisters, Daniela Mendoza, 10, Sofia Mendoza, 8, Wylie, TX.
A statement from Bishop Edward J. Burns regarding the mass shooting in Allen (Facebook)
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With a heavy heart, I once again address the faithful in the wake of another tragic mass shooting. Like all of you, I am deeply troubled by the shooting in the community of Allen and the senseless disregard for life that has occurred in our community. The Catholic community is in unity and solidarity with the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. May God, our Heavenly Father, bring comfort and strength to all affected by this tragic event. We ask God to comfort our community, the victims and their families. We must work for an end to the violence. We must pray for peace within our communities. And, we must have the courage to stand up to the forces of evil and the culture of death. ------------
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With a heavy heart, I once again address the faithful in the wake of another tragic mass shooting. Like all of you, I am deeply troubled by the shooting in the community of Allen and the senseless disregard for life that has occurred in our community. The Catholic community is in unity and solidarity with the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy. May God, our Heavenly Father, bring comfort and strength to all affected by this tragic event. We ask God to comfort our community, the victims and their families. We must work for an end to the violence. We must pray for peace within our communities. And, we must have the courage to stand up to the forces of evil and the culture of death. ------------
Eight Americans, including children, were killed in Allen, Texas yesterday – the latest act of gun violence to devastate our nation.
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 7, 2023
Jill and I are praying for their families and those critically injured. We're grateful to the first responders who acted quickly and courageously.
St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, Texas, wrote on its Facebook page, “Let us pray together for the tragic events that occurred earlier today and all those affected by the devastating loss of life.”
“Lord God, Father in heaven, our hearts are broken, and we pray for all impacted by the horrible events that unfolded today in our community,” the posted prayer said. “We ask that You comfort all the families dealing with suffering and loss and pray that You give consolation as only You can give. We ask this in the name of Jesus Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.”
That prayer was followed by a request for the intercession of Mary and all the saints and the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which says in part: “Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”
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“Lord God, Father in heaven, our hearts are broken, and we pray for all impacted by the horrible events that unfolded today in our community,” the posted prayer said. “We ask that You comfort all the families dealing with suffering and loss and pray that You give consolation as only You can give. We ask this in the name of Jesus Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, the Lord.”
That prayer was followed by a request for the intercession of Mary and all the saints and the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, which says in part: “Defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.”
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Also, in Texas, another attack occurred on the following day. Authorities said a driver hit a group of people at a bus stop near a shelter that had been housing migrants in Brownsville in proximity of the Texas border on May 7th, killing seven people leaving others injured. The bus stop is across the street from the Ozanam Center, a shelter for migrants. The driver who hit 18 people at the Texas bus stop is charged with manslaughter, assault, police say.
Bishop Daniel Flores, of Brownsville, wrote:
We mourn and are shocked by the horrific loss of the lives of the seven immigrant men
from Venezuela who were killed when a vehicle crashed into them this morning in
Brownsville. And we pray for several others who were injured and are in serious
condition.
This tragedy occurred this morning outside the Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a place that has served the homeless and immigrants for decades. Over the past several months in particular Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has worked closely with the Ozanam Center in Brownsville to help provide humanitarian aid to the immigrant population as they seek shelter while making arrangements to meet with their families further north. This is done as an assistance to, and with the cooperation of government authorities.
The safety, protection and assistance of the immigrant men, women and children who have been given permission to stay in the United States remains a priority for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville and for our generous staff and volunteers at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.
We must resist the corrosive tendency to devalue the lives of immigrants, the poor, and the vulnerable. Let us take extra steps as a local community to care for and protect one another, especially the most vulnerable.
As we await a fuller report from law enforcement authorities, let us stop for a moment to mourn these losses of life and to pray. Pray for the victims, pray for their families and loved ones, and pray for our community. And after we pray, let us continue our common efforts to serve those most in need.
https://cdob.org/documents/2023/5/05.07.23%20Statement%20Bishop%20Flores%20Combined-6.pdf
This tragedy occurred this morning outside the Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center, a place that has served the homeless and immigrants for decades. Over the past several months in particular Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley has worked closely with the Ozanam Center in Brownsville to help provide humanitarian aid to the immigrant population as they seek shelter while making arrangements to meet with their families further north. This is done as an assistance to, and with the cooperation of government authorities.
The safety, protection and assistance of the immigrant men, women and children who have been given permission to stay in the United States remains a priority for the Catholic Diocese of Brownsville and for our generous staff and volunteers at Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.
We must resist the corrosive tendency to devalue the lives of immigrants, the poor, and the vulnerable. Let us take extra steps as a local community to care for and protect one another, especially the most vulnerable.
As we await a fuller report from law enforcement authorities, let us stop for a moment to mourn these losses of life and to pray. Pray for the victims, pray for their families and loved ones, and pray for our community. And after we pray, let us continue our common efforts to serve those most in need.
https://cdob.org/documents/2023/5/05.07.23%20Statement%20Bishop%20Flores%20Combined-6.pdf
I, with Bp Mario & local clergy, said Mass at the Ozanam Center this evening, to offer consolation to the immigrants and staff.
— Amigo de Frodo (@bpdflores) May 8, 2023
Pray for those who saw it happen; they are devastated. Many first responders attended the Mass; pray for them also, for the burden they carry is great. pic.twitter.com/372n51B17P
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