On National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we encourage all Canadians to reflect deeply on the legacies of residential schools and to honor the Survivors and their families. This day serves as a reminder of the children who never returned home and the painful history we must acknowledge. In British Columbia, where Indigenous communities continue to seek healing, we, as a Catholic community at St. Mary’s Parish, recognize our role in this history. Together, we commit to prayer, education, and advocacy, seeking to understand and support the ongoing journey toward reconciliation and hope. Let us take this opportunity to engage with our Indigenous brothers and sisters, fostering understanding and promoting healing in our communities.

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Lord God,

Open our eyes to the injustices faced by Indigenous Peoples in Canada’s Residential Schools.
Give us repentant hearts filled with sorrow for the violence endured.
Help us refuse to stand by as dignity is trampled.
May our hearts beat in harmony with the Gospel, defending and honoring our Indigenous neighbors.

Let us be stewards of dignity, safety, and cultural identity for all.

Pour out your healing love on those wounded by the past.
Jesus, our gentle Savior, we offer our sorrow and our desire to walk alongside our First Nations brothers and sisters, journeying toward truth, healing, and reconciliation.

Give us one heart and one mind to move forward together in love and peace.
Amen.

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