Pope Benedict XVI Blog

Bush declares national day of prayer and remembrance for Hurricane Katrina victims

Lord, I pray that all of us in America lift up our hearts to You during this bitter time of trial. I ask You to shed your grace and love over all those who are suffering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.

Please comfort all those in need with the "blessed's" of the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus, our dear Lord, spoke them [Matthew 5:1-12 (RSV)]:

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so men persecuted the prophets who were before you."

May "God bless America."

The Miami Herald
Posted on Thu, Sep. 08, 2005

Bush declares a day of prayer

By Ellen Dunkel
Knight Ridder Newspapers

President Bush today designated Sept. 16 a national day of prayer and rememberance for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The federal government has been harshly criticized for its reaction to the hurricane, but Bush said that relief supplies are pouring in and more help is on the way.

"The government is going to be with you for the long haul," Bush told people who were affected by the storm.

He said the government would be assigning "evacuee status" to everyone from the counties that were declared disaster areas, meaning they'd be get help with housing and able to receive FEMA benefits in any state they wind up in.

He also pledged the government would cut through red tape to provide an immediate $2,000 in disaster assistance to displaced families and make sure they continue receiving Medicaid, food stamps, jobless compensation and other federal benefits.

"Our goal is not to simply provide benefits, but to make them as easy and simple to collect," he said.

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posted by Dr. Denice Hanley, DPM, M.Div. @ 6:19 PM