Prayers and help for Nashville Tornado Victims

A man looks at the destruction left after a tornado hit eastern Nashville  (HARRISON MCCLARY / NNO MEDIA LLC)

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US Bishop prays for victims of tornado in Tennessee

Several storms and a tornado have killed at least 24 people and caused tremendous damage throughout the US state of Tennessee. The Bishop of Nashville prays for all the dead and those affected.

By Joachim Teigen

Starting on Monday night, several storms and a tornado made their way through the State of Tennessee in the United States, destroying hundreds of buildings, and killing at least 24 people.

On Wednesday morning, Tennessee's emergency management officials reported the number of deaths as being at 24, with many more currently unaccounted for.

Tennessee has declared a State of Emergency, and the primary mission is still saving lives and search and rescue. The exact number of injuries is currently unknown.

Bishop prays for all victims

One of the cities most affected by the tornado is Nashville.

The city’s Bishop,  J. Mark Spalding, prayed for all those who had lost their lives, all who are grieving, and those whose property has been destroyed. It was also the Bishop’s prayer that those who need help may find support in their brothers and sisters in Christ.

According to the Diocese of Nashville, no employees of the diocese, parishes or schools have suffered any harm. The damage to church buildings is still being assessed.

Catholic relief efforts

Together with Catholic Charities, the diocese has already started collecting donations for relief efforts. Catholic Charities is still in the process of contacting parishes in the affected areas to determine what the needs are.

Below follows the prayer of Bishop Spalding in the aftermath of the tornado:

Loving God, be with all those who are suffering in the aftermath of this violent storm. Grant peace to those who have died and comfort and strength to those who grieve them. May those who have suffered damages or lost homes and possessions find support in our brothers and sisters in Christ and consolation in the knowledge of your presence. Guard and guide first responders and aid workers, protect those who are most vulnerable, and keep us all safe in your unending love.

We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, whom even the winds and the sea obey. Amen.

We have two brand new Bishops in the USA

US: Pope Appoints Two New Bishops

Dioceses of Nashville and Jefferson City

November 21, 2017ZENIT StaffCatholic Church

© L'Osservatore Romano

Pope Francis on November 21, 2017, appointed new bishops to the US dioceses of Nashville and Jefferson City.
The Holy Father appointed as bishop of Nashville, Bishop-elect J. Mark Spalding, of the clergy of the Archdiocese of Louisville, currently vicar general and pastor of the “Holy Trinity Parish” and the “Holy Name Parish” in Louisville.
The Pope also appointed bishop of Jefferson City, Bishop-elect W. Shawn McKnight, of the clergy of the diocese of Wichita, currently pastor of the “Church of the Magdalen Parish” in Wichita.
Msgr. J. Mark Spalding
Msgr. J. Mark Spalding was born on January 13, 1965, in Lebanon, Kentucky, in the Archdiocese of Louisville. After attending Bethlehem High School in Bardstown (1979 to 1983), he carried out his studies in philosophy at the “Saint Meinrad College Seminary” in Saint Meinrad, Indiana (1983-1987), and in theology at the “American College” Seminary in Leuven, Belgium (1987-1991), obtaining a licentiate in canon law from the Catholic University of Leuven (1992).
He was ordained a priest on August 3, 1991, for the Archdiocese of Louisville.
Since priestly ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of the “Saint Joseph Proto-Cathedral Parish” in Bardstown (1992-1996), of the “Saint Augustine Parish” in Lebanon (1996-1998), and of the “Saint Margaret Mary Parish” in Louisville (1998-1999); judicial vicar (1998-2011); pastor of the “Immaculate Conception Parish” in LaGrange (1999-2011), of the “Holy Trinity Parish” (since 2011) and the “Holy Name Parish” (since 2016) in Louisville, and vicar general (2011-2017). Since 1998 he has been a member of the presbyteral council and the college of consultors.
Rev. W. Shawn McKnight
The Rev. William Shawn McKnight was born on June 26, 1968, in Wichita, in the diocese of the same name. He attended the University of Dallas, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry (1990). He entered the Seminary and carried out his ecclesiastical studies in the Pontifical “Josephinum” College in Columbus, Ohio (1990-1994). He subsequently obtained a licentiate (1999) and a doctorate (2001) in sacramental theology from the Pontifical Saint Anselm Athenaeum in Rome. He has published several articles on sacramental pastoral themes.
He was ordained a priest on May 28, 1994, for the diocese of Wichita.
Since priestly ordination, he has held the following offices: parish vicar of the “Blessed Sacrament Parish” in Wichita (1994-1997); parish administrator of the “Saint Patrick Parish” in Chanute (1999); chaplain and adjunct professor at “Newman University” in Wichita (2000-2001); pastor of the “Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish” in Colwich (2000-2003); diocesan director of Divine Worship, diocesan consultor and member of the presbyteral council (2000-2005); director of liturgy (2003-2007), assistant professor (2003-2008), dean of students (2004-2006), director of formation (2006-2007) and vice-president for “Development and Alumni Relations” (2007-2008) at the Pontifical “Josephinum” College in Columbus, Ohio; pastor of the “Blessed Sacrament Parish” in Wichita (2008-2010); Faculty member of the “Saint Meinrad” Seminary in Indiana for the formation of permanent deacons (2005-2010); executive director for the Office of the Clergy and Consecrated Life of the Episcopal Conference of the United States (2010-2015); pastor of the “Church of the Magdalen” parish in Wichita (since 2015).