Friday, September 30, 2011

THE STATE OF THE CITY

Today the Archdiocese of New Orleans is in mourning.  It has lost one of its former Archbishops, Archbishop Philip Hannan.  People of all faiths speak highly about him and are praying for him.  So do we, the members of the Velvet Glove Brigade.


We pray also that he may intercede on behalf of the citizens of this archdiocese that the violence that permeates our city may be halted.  We pray also that we as a people of faith (various as these faiths may be) might come together to halt the continuing crime, the continued decline of this city into the further depths of physical decay that exists in blighted properties, etc.  We pray also that work will  be available to all and especially to young professionals, who have left this city to find suitable work elsewhere in their professional fields.


We pray for the homeless that they may find shelter.   We pray for the mentally ill who have no place to go for treatment - long time treatment in particular.


We pray for the improvement in our schools and for parental involvement in the education of our young people.  We pray for the return of moral values that are so long forgotten. 


We pray for leadership that simply talks but cannot carry out its promises.  We pray that leadership and friends of those leaders will no longer use public funds for personal use.


What it comes down to, dears, is that we pray for a Nouveau New Orleans, a city of character and strength and hope for all and the destruction of the various factors that have divided it over the years into factions of hatred and ignorance.


May almighty God shed his blessing on this city, this state, and this nation.