The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Rochester stand firmly with the Leadership Council of Women Religious in calling for action on gun legislation that:
- requires universal background checks and mandatory waiting periods for all gun purchases;
- bans civilian ownership of high-capacity weapons and magazines;
- and provides funding to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct public health research on firearm violence prevention.
The call to Congress comes on the heels of the recent mass shootings in Texas and Buffalo that claimed the lives of more than 30 innocent people who were just attending school and out shopping for groceries.
Display showing victims of two recent mass shootings
In addition to joining this Call for Action, we continue to pray and mourn for all of the victims and their loved ones. A prayer vigil was held in the Motherhouse Chapel on Friday, May 27 as Sisters joined together for song, prayer and a moment of silence. The service was livestreamed on the SSJ Facebook page where all were invited to join in prayer virtually.
Congregational President, Sister Eileen Daly, leading a prayer vigil for the victims of recent mass shootings
Our Sisters again prayed for victims of gun violence during the annual Memorial Day Prayer on Sunday, May 29. The service of remembrance and hope took place by the Genesee River in Corn Hill Landing in the City of Rochester. Along with remembering those killed in the Texas and Buffalo mass shootings, gatherers joined in praying for all who have died in the current wars as well as on our city streets – reaffirming our call for all to enter the struggle for nonviolence, justice and peace for all humanity.