February 18, 2019
The Congregation of St. Joseph is moved by deep love and compassion as we grieve the loss of those killed in the senseless shooting in Aurora, Illinois this past Friday. We stand with the families, witnesses and wounded first responders as they experience incomprehensible suffering. We pray for them and for all who are affected by violence and a lost sense of safety in our communities. Though we acknowledge the importance of prayer, this alone is not enough.
Called by the Gospel mission of inclusive love and unity, the Sisters of St. Joseph, along with our associates and partners in mission, live and work to promote a culture of love of God and neighbor without distinction. This commitment compels us to risk our lives and resources to collaborate with others to transform systems that promote violence and division.
Strong in this commitment, we stand in solidarity with all who have been affected by gun violence and call on Congress to enact common sense legislation for gun control, including passing the background check bill. We further call for support services to address the needs of those who suffer from emotional, psychological and mental challenges. We encourage others to join in advocating for these necessary changes in legislation to prevent future violence by reaching out to your representatives. To find yours, click here.