Parishes throughout the Diocese of Rochester will be offering opportunities for prayer Sept. 6-7, in light of Pope Francis declaring Sept. 7 a worldwide day of fasting and prayer for peace.
In a recent homily, the pope said, "We want a peaceful world, we want to be men and women of peace, and we want in our society, torn apart by divisions and conflict, that peace break out."
Pope Francis also condemned the use of chemical weapons and urged the international community to take steps to end conflict.
"There is the judgment of God, and also the judgment of history, upon our actions, judgments from which there is no escaping," he said.
As with Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, on a day of fasting, healthy adult Catholics should eat only one full meal, and two smaller meals are allowed but should not total more than a full meal.
Local activities will include:
* St. Agnes, Avon: Adoration will begin Sept. 6, after the 8:15 a.m. Mass and will continue until 5 p.m. On Sept. 7, adoration will take place following the 4 p.m. Mass and will continue until 9 p.m., ending with the rosary and prayer for peace. The parish is located at 108 Prospect St.
* St. Boniface, Rochester: The parish, located at 330 Gregory St., is hosting its neighborhood fun day Sept. 7 and will invite people into the church to pray.
* St. John the Evangelist, Spencerport: The parish’s youth ministry will host prayer at the parish from 1 to 5 p.m. Sept. 7 at the church, 55 Martha St.
* St. Joseph in Penfield: Parishioners will have a prayer service and eucharistic adoration from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 7 at the church, 43 Gebhardt Road. The parish also will have reconciliation from 3:30 to 4:30 in the reconciliation room, Benediction at 4:30 p.m. and Mass at 5 p.m.
* St. Kateri Parish, Irondequoit: St. Kateri’s St. Margaret Mary worship site at 401 Rogers Parkway will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 6 for first Friday adoration, with Benediction taking place at 4 p.m. Each of the parish’s three worship sites will be open Sept. 7 for individual prayer. The St. Cecilia worship site at 2732 Culver Road will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The St. Margaret Mary worship at 401 Rogers Parkway will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Christ the King worship site at 445 Kings Highway will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
* St. Patrick, Victor: The parish will have a booth at Hang Around Victor Day Sept. 7, and volunteers will hand out pocket-sized prayers for peace during the event. The church, located at 115 Maple Ave., also will have some materials and will be open throughout the day until dark. The 4:45 p.m. Mass also will be focused on peace.
