ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Dear Friends

As our program indicates, we are gathered together in sorrow and in hope. We are glad to be in solidarity with so many people throughout our land of different backgrounds and religions, and especially with our suffering brothers and sisters.

We are honored to have various interreligious and ecumenical dignitaries present here today and participating in our service.

Our hope is to give a united witness of religion and humanity.

Coming together as religious people we proclaim that the primacy of God in this world necessitates solidarity with all in need.

The importance of humanity under God and the need for outreach, help, understanding, compassion and mercy are our message.

We hope to help bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of God.

And so we were together. And in our togetherness we pray and worship God according to our hearts.

We ask God’s help and once again we solicit aid for the victims. And as we bear together the sorrow of our brothers and sisters, we also proclaim hope for their future.

In God we trust—the God who is our help in ages past and our hope for years to come.