I know that no words can heal the hurt and ease the deep fears of so many I dearly care for today. I know I can’t say that everything is going to be okay.

However, I do want to say to my Latinx, Syrian, black, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQIA, those who are victims of sexual assault, people of color, diversely abled, and Muslim siblings, friends, acquaintances, youth, parishioners and all who woke up this morning with such pain and fear for your future:

I see you. I hear you. I love you. You matter.

My heart aches with you.

I stand with you. You are not alone.

I will fight stronger and harder against Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, racism, ableism, sexism, fascism, and all other forms of hate with you.

Please know that I am here for you if you need to talk, process, and grieve with or if you would like me to refer you to a support group, counselor, or other form of support.

Whatever you do: take extra care of yourself, your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Talk with others. Hold someone’s hand. Listen to and sit with others in their pain. Reach out to those today who are in extra need of a friend. Cry. Lament. Pray. Walk. Meditate.

Let us join together because we cannot work to overcome hate alone. We must do this together. We are BETTER together.

And may we hold fast to the words of St. Francis of Assisi:

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”