Dear Marquette community,
As we attempt to process the unimaginable loss of life yesterday at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, along with other recent acts of violence in Buffalo, Houston, California and in our own Milwaukee, we also continue to reflect on the killing of George Floyd, which happened two years ago today.
Let us pray for all those lives lost needlessly to violence. Let us pray for the families who, right now, cannot understand how they might ever fill the holes left in their hearts. May we all look to God for these answers, as Psalm 147 reminds us: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Indeed, these days feel heavy; some moments may even seem hopeless. Amid the grief and despair, it is important that we join in community to mourn together, talk with one another, lift each other — if we share in the heaviness, we can find the light together.
Together, we pray…
Lord, Bring Us Peace As We Mourn
From marquette.edu/faith — based on Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn,
For God will comfort them.
Lord, let us trust in your comfort,
Let us trust in your love.
As we grieve, we feel loss,
Though we know we are blessed.
Blessed to express gratitude
For our companions on the journey.
Companions on earth,
And companions in heaven.
Blessed to know that
You have conquered death.
Blessed to hold in our hearts that
You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Blessed in community
To carry one another,
To share love,
To share memories.
Now, more than ever
May we cling to the life you promise.
May we remember that,
With Your grace
We are all walking toward Your light.
With you, we are walking toward home.
Lord, bring us peace as we mourn.
Amen.
Peace,
Rev. Jim Voiss, S.J.
Vice president for mission and ministry
If you are struggling, or see someone who is, please seek or offer support. Marquette provides many free, accessible mental health and faith resources to help:
- Campus Ministry (students)
- Counseling Center (students): Students are welcome to call Marquette’s Counseling Center at 414-288-7172 to speak to a counselor on-call. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and currently offers both virtual and in-person clinical services. Students should call the main number to schedule an initial screening appointment with a professional counselor, or they can walk in for urgent concerns during business hours. For mental health emergencies on weekdays after 4:30 p.m., on weekends or during most holidays, call MUPD at 414-288-6800 and request to speak with the on-call counselor.
- Division of Student Affairs (students)
- Educational Opportunity Program (students)
- Employee Assistance Program (faculty and staff)
- Employee Resource Groups (faculty and staff)
- Faber Center (faculty and staff)
- Healthy Minds Program app (faculty and staff)
- Mindfulness meditation programs (faculty and staff)
- Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (faculty, staff and students)
- Stress resources from Raynor Memorial Libraries (faculty and staff)
- SilverCloud (students, faculty and staff)
- Teladoc (faculty and staff)