Parishioners of three North Shore Catholic churches came together to pray for peace in Ukraine during a sunset Mass and prayer service Wednesday in Winnetka.
The congregations of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish, of Wilmette, Divine Mercy Parish, in Winnetka, and Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Parish, also in Winnetka.
Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Parish hosted the Wednesday night Mass, and the evening included the presentation of the Ukrainian National Anthem, blue and yellow fabric along the altar — the colors for Ukraine — and a candle illumination where attendees could approach the altar to take part in an individual lighting to honor the eastern European nation.
“I’m devastated, I’m devastated for our world,” said Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Parish parishioner Pam McEnroe, of Winnetka.
Russia, under the leadership of President Vladamir Putin, invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24 and, as of Thursday, the Associated Press reported United Nations estimates that the fighting has led more than three million people to flee Ukraine. The death toll remains unknown, though Ukraine has said thousands of civilians have died, according to AP reports.
There has been a worldwide outpouring of criticism of Putin and the invasion, including a number of international sanctions and public rebukes, as well as shows of support for Ukraine.
Earlier in the day of the prayer service in Winnetka, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the U.S. Congress and asked America to do more to aid the war-battered nation. Zelenskyy called on President Joe Biden to be the “leader of peace.”
“I just wish there was more I could do and times like this, we pray, we come together, said George Pearce, of Wilmette, who attended the faith service. “You get strength by praying with others.”
Jo McMahon, of Glencoe, called it “wonderful” for three churches to come together in prayer.
Plans for the service began several days before the midweek Mass, as leadership among the three churches began collaborating, said the Rev. Martin O’Donovan, pastor of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Catholic Parish.
“What we hope to accomplish is really simple,” O’Donovan said. “As people of faith, we’re coming together to pray. We believe in the efficacy of prayer. That’s what we’re called to do.”
The Rev. Wayne Watts, pastor of Saints Joseph and Francis Xavier Parish, offered the homily during Mass, urging people via his spoken words to pray and to have the courage to take action to help alleviate suffering.
Before the Mass and prayer service, Watts elaborated on his message.
“We recognize our own powerlessness against difficulty, against evil and we ask our God to help us,” Watts said. “My heart is certainly with the people (of Ukraine) and I try to find ways that we can help.”
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The faith leader suggested that, even being thousands of miles away from the bombing and other attacks, people can still help.
“We’re praying of course, but maybe we can roll up our sleeves, we can write a check, maybe we can support these people,” Watts said. “I always say prayer changes things.”
The Associated Press contributed.
Karie Angell Luc is a freelancer.