prayer service builds awareness of migrants', refugees' plight
Photos and story by David Ziser
The annual diocesan Migrants/Refugees Prayer Service held at Mother of God on Sept. 27 gave those who attended an opportunity to step outside their normal daily routine and think more deeply about some of the important issues facing our world, our nation, and our own community.
Specifically, it provided a chance to reflect on the very real challenges facing migrants and refugees—especially children—and offered direction on how each of us might make a difference, even in some small way.
Meg Booker, our parish organist, opened the service with a beautiful musical interlude, after which Cindy Hassan, chair of Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed the crowd.
Dr. John Morrison then began the service with the opening prayer. Sr. Shauna Bankemper, SND, delivered the first reading, followed by Sr. Alice Gerdemann, CDP, with the second reading. Fr. Mike Comer, pastor, then proclaimed the Gospel.
Fr. Comer provided thoughtful insights into how we should respond to the challenges migrants and refugees face, recalling Matthew 25. "Jesus says, "Whatsoever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me." You can find his remarks on our Mother of God website. *
Mini Masih, volunteer coordinator for the Kentucky Refugee Ministry here in Covington was the featured presenter, providing background and education on the work KRM does and why pastoral care for migrants and refugees is so important. Her remarks are also available on the MoG website.
Sr. Maria Francine Stacy, SND, who volunteers with the local Hispanic community, offered a heartfelt call to action, followed by a moment of silence.
Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB, prioress of St. Walburg Monastery, then led the congregation in the Prayers of the Faithful.
After the Lord’s Prayer, Sr. Barbara Rohe, CDP, provincial supervisor of the Congregation of Divine Providence, offered a closing prayer for migrants and refugees.
The prayer service concluded with the singing of the beautiful hymn, Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Afterward, all were invited to a reception in the undercroft, where guests could visit with the presenters, enjoy plenty of fellowship and a wonderful selection of delicious and wonderfully decorated cookies of just about every variety imaginable. YUM!
If you weren’t able to attend, or if you would simply like to experience the service again, please check out the "Watch Our Mass Live" link on the Mother of God website to see the entire presentation.
*Click on the StreamSpot arrow, then choose "Previous Broadcasts" and click on the right arrow until you see "Migrant and Refugees Prayer Service, 9/27/26."
Specifically, it provided a chance to reflect on the very real challenges facing migrants and refugees—especially children—and offered direction on how each of us might make a difference, even in some small way.
Meg Booker, our parish organist, opened the service with a beautiful musical interlude, after which Cindy Hassan, chair of Parish Pastoral Council, welcomed the crowd.
Dr. John Morrison then began the service with the opening prayer. Sr. Shauna Bankemper, SND, delivered the first reading, followed by Sr. Alice Gerdemann, CDP, with the second reading. Fr. Mike Comer, pastor, then proclaimed the Gospel.
Fr. Comer provided thoughtful insights into how we should respond to the challenges migrants and refugees face, recalling Matthew 25. "Jesus says, "Whatsoever you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me." You can find his remarks on our Mother of God website. *
Mini Masih, volunteer coordinator for the Kentucky Refugee Ministry here in Covington was the featured presenter, providing background and education on the work KRM does and why pastoral care for migrants and refugees is so important. Her remarks are also available on the MoG website.
Sr. Maria Francine Stacy, SND, who volunteers with the local Hispanic community, offered a heartfelt call to action, followed by a moment of silence.
Sr. Aileen Bankemper, OSB, prioress of St. Walburg Monastery, then led the congregation in the Prayers of the Faithful.
After the Lord’s Prayer, Sr. Barbara Rohe, CDP, provincial supervisor of the Congregation of Divine Providence, offered a closing prayer for migrants and refugees.
The prayer service concluded with the singing of the beautiful hymn, Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Afterward, all were invited to a reception in the undercroft, where guests could visit with the presenters, enjoy plenty of fellowship and a wonderful selection of delicious and wonderfully decorated cookies of just about every variety imaginable. YUM!
If you weren’t able to attend, or if you would simply like to experience the service again, please check out the "Watch Our Mass Live" link on the Mother of God website to see the entire presentation.
*Click on the StreamSpot arrow, then choose "Previous Broadcasts" and click on the right arrow until you see "Migrant and Refugees Prayer Service, 9/27/26."