Three Things to Pray For

I do not have “new” thoughts to offer this week.  So, I thought I would simply invite you to pray for three things. 

The first comes with good news.  While assisted suicide recently became legal in New York State, there are legal victories against assisted suicide in other places.  On Friday, September 11th, the British Parliament voted against legalizing assisted suicide (Tessa Gervasini, “UK Parliament rejects assisted suicide.”  Catholic News Agency.  September 11, 2026).  We pray in thanksgiving for this.   

I was also pleased to see that a judge in Illinois granted a temporary restraining order for Catholic groups who filed a lawsuit to prevent the state from forcing them to offer assisted suicide (Kate Scanlonm, “Judge Shields More Catholic Health Providers As Illinois Assisted Suicide Law Takes Effects.”  OSV News.  September 12, 2026).  This restraining order is to ensue the religious liberty of the Catholic groups.  It is only temporary while the case is decided.  So, we pray in thanksgiving for the temporary restraining order and we pray for a decision in this case that is in accord with God’s Will. 

The second thing I would like to invite you to pray for concerns the Clancy court case.  The mother, Lindsay, killed her three children.  The defense argued for her lack of mental competence due to post-partum depression.  I am not going to get into the details of the case as that is outside my expertise and gifts.  What I would like to invite you to pray for is that she receives the mental health care she needs, and for an improved mental health system to prevent awful deaths like this.  I also invite you to pray for our legal system in the way it handles cases involving mental health issues. 

The third thing I would like to invite you to pray for is our American political system.  I will not get into politics here except to say that I think all elected officials need our prayers and that we need to pray for the upcoming elections in November.  Let us pray that God’s Will be done in our nation’s politics. 

Peace, 

Fr. Jeff