The humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan is now affecting some 2.2 million people. Approximately 1.2 million people are displaced inside Sudan and an estimated 180,000 refugees have fled into the neighboring Chad. Tens of thousands of people have died. At the same time, humanitarian relief efforts in the region have been difficult because of limited access to affected areas.

Catholic Relief Services, working with the Church in Sudan and other Catholic agencies from around the world, is responding to this crisis, but they need your prayers and your help.

This is a time for prayer, solidarity and assistance to the suffering people of Sudan. Let us work together to help end this terrible tragedy.

Join the Effort. Respond at

Catholic Relief

or send support to

Catholic Relief Services, 155 East Superior Street, Chicago IL 60611

Lord, God of hosts:

Bless all who serve our country in the cause of peace on land, sea and in the air.

Help them to meet all danger with courage; let them be models of discipline and loyalty.

Keep them safe from harm and bring them home safely to their loved ones.

Help them and those in authority who lead them to discern prayerfully

whether a potential conflict or war is just.

May they work loyally to build up your kingdom of peace, love and justice.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. AMEN.

A salute to our Veterans

In our Special Intention Book, we have the names of our service men and women who are presently on active duty. We would like to update that list. We are also thinking about making a display with their pictures on one of the bulletin boards in the Social Area. If you would like to add a name to our list, send in a picture or help with this new project, please call the office at 847.272.5686. Thank you!

Children's Services for Migration and Refugee Services.

Many hundreds of thousands of refugees have found peace and hope in the United States, their newly adopted country. This is a remarkable achievement, yet the children, often separated from their parents, face serious challenges to successful adjustment and well-being. Refugee children who have lost their families through war, violence or other causes are often forgotten when they arrive in refugee camps – alone, scared and, at times, abused and exploited. Separated refugee children are at higher risk for sexual abuse, physical abuse, child labor and trafficking, family breakdown and other threats. Internationally, a growing level of attention is being paid to the needs and prevalence of separated refugee children. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a leader among non-governmental agencies in addressing the needs of children forced to flee their homes, working with a broad network of Catholic agencies to facilitate resettlement in the United States. "In light of the needs and risks that these children face, public and private service providers are obliged to examine the current level of care and support given to these children to determine if more can and should be done to protect and serve this vulnerable population," says Julianne Duncan, USCCB's Associate Director of Children's Services for Migration and Refugee Services.
For more information, contact Julianne Duncan at 202.541.5412 or jduncan@usccb.org.