Our Response to the War in Iraq

As a Christian Community we take seriously the power of prayer and realize that prayer is the most effective action that can be taken in times of need.  Whatever our feelings about the War, we can all join in praying for all those who suffer as a result of the conflict and especially for the men and women of our country who serve in the armed forces.

Our Bishop has asked that we, as a diocese, continue to pray for the following:

1) For the safety and well being of all men and women serving in the armed forces of our country and for their loved ones.
2) That this war may be speedily brought to a just conclusion with a minimum of casualties on all sides.
3) For the Iraqi people that out of this time they may come to have a just and wholesome country that uplifts its people and is a good neighbor in the community of nations.
4) For the President of the United States and all who share with him the responsibilities of leading this nation in this solemn hour, that they may know God's will and be given the grace and power to conform our nation's actions to it.
5) That we as the people of the US will have the perseverance and vision not only to carry out the responsibilities of the present but also the work of rebuilding Iraq when battle is over.

A listing of names we can remember in our prayers is included on the web site of the Diocese of New Jersey so that we can remember the soldiers that are serving in the war that are connected with particular parishes throughout the Diocese.  Please check out the page at the link listed below and remember them in your prayers each day.

Diocesan Listing of Military personnel. 

 

What else can we do? 

A variety of sites are available to send an email to soldiers serving in the armed forces.  The following are only a few of the sites.

Any Service Member - send a note to those serving in the various branches

http://www.anyservicemember.org/main.html

Defend America - send a note of thanks to those serving in the War 

http://www.defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

USO Care Packages - donations enable care packages to be sent to soldiers serving in the War with Iraq

http://www.usometrodc.org/contents.html

 

While many groups are not accepting gift packages for our soldiers and are encouraging donations to purchase "care packages" to be sent to them, check in your local area. 

In the Trenton area, St. Matthias' Church, 2200 Genesee Street, Hamilton Township 08610-5035 telephone (609)888-3039 is collecting items such as those listed below to be distributed to the soldiers: Goldbond Powder, toilet paper, Q-tips, Frisbees, prepackaged snacks, disposable cameras, nail kits, baby wipes, waterless hand soap, medicated Chap-stix, Slim Jims, Batteries AA 7 D, writing paper, mini flashlights, flashlight bulbs, pens, pencils, toiletries, newspapers, CDs Items may be dropped off at the church Wednesday Evening between 8 - 9 PM or Sundays between 11 AM and Noon.

 

Check with your local service organization to see if they are accepting donated items for the soldiers such as the following:

*Cookies - must be purchased and sealed and contain no ingredients that will melt. Homemade items will not be accepted.  *Candy - individually wrapped pieces such as Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, bubble gum and Life Savers *Microwave popcorn packs *Peanuts, pretzels and other snack foods - individually wrapped snack sizes *Packs of coffee, sugar, creamer, tea bags, hot chocolate and hot cider mixes *Sweetened drink mixes, such as Kool-Aid and Gatorade *Wet wipes *Small bottles of hand sanitizer *Sunscreen - small bottles, minimum 15 SPF *Wraparound sunglasses *Batteries - assorted sizes *Small pencil sharpeners *Blank greeting cards *Toiletry items - non-aerosol shaving creams, razors, toothbrushes/paste, shower soap/gel *Videos, DVDs, music CDs and cassettes *Playing cards, small board games *Recent paperback books - mysteries, action, drama and science fiction are most popular *Puzzle books, comic books