Virtual Homicide Vigil

November 13, 2020

Devin Wilson, 26, was found shot to death in a car on Shiloh Springs Road on Saturday, November 7th. His death has been ruled a homicide. On Tuesday, November 10th, the body of Robert Brown, 28, was found in a home on Bish Avenue. His mother had spoken to him on the phone just minutes before he was killed. He had been shot to death but investigation continues. We are including him in this month’s prayer. FOR DEVIN WILSON AND ROBERT BROWN (Psalm 23: 1 and 6) The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want... Only goodness and kindness follow me all the day of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. Lord, we give Devin and Robert back to you. Thank you for the gift of life you gave to them. May they be at peace with you, the loving Shepherd. FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS (Philippians 4:7 KJV) And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Lord, show the family and friends of Devin and Robert how to cast their worries, concerns and anxieties on you. Wrap them in your heavenly arms so that they may feel your love and be at peace. Lord, we pray that, as we continue to intercede on the behalf of others, we be reminded of your loving care for all who suffer the loss of loved ones, especially victims of violence. FOR THE PERPETRATORS (Wisdom 11: 22-26) But you have mercy on all... and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing you have made; for you would not fashion what you hate... You spare all things because they are yours, O Ruler and Lover of souls. Lord, we know it is not your desire that anyone should perish but that all should come to know your saving grace. We lift up a prayer for the perpetrators for your mercy is great unto the heavens. Help, O Lord, and redeem for the sake of justice and mercy. CLOSING: Lord, we pray that those who lost Devin and Robert won’t be consumed with unforgiveness and anger. May they live the best life you intend for them to live here on earth. We pray that they will be able to focus on the good times and rest in their memories of Devin and Robert. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

November 6, 2020

Tragically, 25-year-old Amber Smith died violently on November 1st. She had requested that Eric Humphries, the father of their two small children, get milk for the kids. According to court records he became agitated and stabbed her multiple times. Mr. Humphries has been charged with her death. Now two small children are without mother or father. May our hearts and prayers go out to the children and all those affected by Amber’s death. This month we thank Chelsea Millard from The Potter’s House for preparing our prayer. FOR AMBER (Psalm 23: 1 and 6) The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want... Only goodness and kindness follow me all the day of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. Lord, we give Amber back to you. Thank you for the gift of her life. May she be at peace with you, the loving Shepherd. May her memory live on in the lives of her children. Bless them and those who now care for them. FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS (Philippians 4:7 KJV) And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Lord, show Amber’s family and friends how to cast their worries, concerns and anxieties on you. Wrap them in your heavenly arms so that they may feel your love and be at peace. Lord, we pray, that as we continue to intercede on the behalf of others, we be reminded of your loving care for all who suffer the loss of loved ones, especially victims of violence. FOR THE PERPETRATOR (Wisdom 11: 22-26) But you have mercy on all... and you overlook sins for the sake of repentance. For you love all things that are and loathe nothing you have made; for you would not fashion what you hate... You spare all things because they are yours, O Ruler and Lover of souls. Lord, we know it is not your desire that anyone should perish but that all should come to know your saving grace. We lift up a prayer for the perpetrator for your mercy is great unto the heavens. Help, O Lord, and redeem for the sake of justice and mercy. CLOSING: Lord, we pray that those who lost Amber won’t be consumed with unforgiveness and anger. May they live the best life you intend for them to live here on earth. We pray that they will be able to focus on the good times and rest in their memories of Amber. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

October 23, 2020

Marlon Lewis, 24, was shot to death in the 500 block of Whitmore Ave. on Sat., Oct. 17th. No further details nor an obituary are available at this time. The list of homicide victims continues to grow even as we are confronted with over 200,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. Let us not become insensitive to any death. Behind each one are family members, friends, and co-workers who are left with an empty place in their hearts. Life is precious. Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1: 13-18 (From the Catholic/Ecumenical edition of THE MESSAGE, a contemporary rendering of the Bible) Regarding the question, friends, that has come up about what happens to those already dead and buried, we don’t want you in the dark any longer. First off, you must not carry on over them like people who have nothing to look forward to, as if the grave were the last word. Since Jesus died and broke loose from the grave, God will certainly bring back to life those who died in Jesus. And then this: we can tell you with complete confidence – we have the Lord’s word on it – that when the Lord comes again to get us, those of us who are still alive will not get a jump on the dead and leave them behind. In actual fact, they will be ahead of us ... Then the rest of us who are still alive at the time will be caught up with them into the clouds to meet the Master. Oh, we’ll be walking on air! And then there will be one huge family reunion with the Master. So reassure one another with these words. PETITIONS Let us remember Marlon, his family, loved ones and all victims of violence. We acknowledge their pain and deep grief. They are a part of our human community and they need our love and help towards healing. Let us remember those who perpetuate violence and their families who also suffer. We acknowledge the need for both justice and mercy. Let us remember all those who work to keep our city safe. We acknowledge their need for wisdom and courage in their efforts to fulfill their call of service for the good of all. Additional personal prayers ... Lord, hear our prayer. God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed our very selves, is destroying your creation. Make still the restless spirit within each of us that is self-seeking. Stir within our hearts a renewed spirit of reverence, respect and reconciliation. In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus give us the strength and courage to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with each of us. Make us instruments of that peace. Amen.

October 8, 2020

This week we are remembering 3 men who died of gunshot wounds: September 22: Zyi’Air Sherrer, 18, Fountainhead Apartments in Harrison Twp., 5600 block of N. Main St. Zyi’Air’s funeral was held on September 28. The obituary did not contain any information regarding his family. An arrest has been made. October 4: Kato D. Knight, 25, 3920 Necco Avenue. Still under investigation. October 5: Todd Gomez, 46, body found by Dayton Waste collection workers at intersection of Standford Place and Harold Drive. This also remains under investigation. In the midst of violence around our country, we are mindful of the violence within our own community. We remember these men and, while we do not yet gather at the site of their deaths, we hold them and all who mourn them in our prayers. SCRIPTURE: John 35:11 (from the raising of Lazarus) Jesus began to weep… REFLECTION: “Weeping signals that it is time to change things in life because for someone, somehow, life has become unmanageable. ‘Though all afflictions are evil in themselves, yet they are good for us because they discover to us our disease and tend to our cure,’ John Tillotson, a 17th century Archbishop of Canterbury writer. Without our tears, we have no hope of healing because we do not begin to confront the anguish.” (From Sr. Joan Chittister, National Catholic Reporter, NCR Online, 10-8-20) How does this reflection speak to me in our violent times? PRAYER: God of the sorrowing, we pray for the families and friends of Zyi’Air, Kato and Todd who have been touched by violence. May you wipe away the tears from their eyes. May those who mourn be comforted by the fact that nothing can separate them from your love. For each of these men death came as a thief in the night. We trust that they are now experiencing new life in your kingdom. From these tragedies may we find the courage and strength to confront the violence that seeks to destroy families and communities. Show your justice and mercy to those who caused the violence. Be with those who guard our communities that they may serve safely and with compassion. We make this prayer trusting in the power of Jesus Precious Blood to bring healing to our world. Amen

October 3, 2020

The body of Jarvis Collins, 36, was found on the Great Miami River Trail in Harrison Twp. on September 17th. It is possible that his body was dumped there after he was fatally shot. His funeral was held on September 30th. We hold him and all those who knew and loved him in our prayers. SCRIPTURE: Isiah 40: 28-29; 31 Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is an eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound… They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar with eagles’ wings. They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. PETITIONS: Lord, hear our prayer. • For Jarvis Collins, killed needlessly, we ask for peace Lord ... • For his family and friends, we pray that you heal their grief Lord ... • For the perpetrators that they will know both justice and mercy Lord ... • For our world experiencing so much loss and grief because of violence and the Coronavirus Lord ... • For those who work for our safety and well-being as essential workers, first responders and those behind the scenes who fulfill so many needs Lord ... • For those most in need of our prayers whoever and wherever they may be Lord ... PRAYER: God of life, every act of violence in our world, in our communities, against others destroys a part of your creation. Stir in our hearts a renewed sense of reverence for all life. Give us the vision to recognize your Spirit in every human being. Make possible the impossible by cultivating in us the fertile seed of healing love. May we play our part in breaking the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with each of us. Amen.

September 20, 2020

On September 11, LaVar Bagley, Sr. died of gunshot wounds sustained in the parking lot of Napoleon’s Palace on Germantown Pike. LaVar was a cousin to one of our prayer leaders, Chelsea Millard. According to his obituary LaVar “was many things to many people.” Words used to describe him include: a blessing, a leader, funny, confident, handsome, our love and everything. He was honored as a brother, a father, a Paw Paw who leaves behind his “best friend, [his] loving and eternally devoted mother,” along with other family members, relatives and friends. His funeral was held on September 17th at First Baptist Church of Richwood Heights. We hold him and his loved ones in our prayers. SCRIPTURE Matthew 24: 36; 42; 43&44 As for the exact day or hour, no one knows it neither the angels in heaven nor the Son, but the Father only. … Stay awake, therefore! You cannot know the day your Lord is coming. Be sure of this: if the owner of the house knew when the thief was coming he would keep a watchful eye and not allow his house to be broken into. PETITIONS: Response: LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER • For LaVar that he may be experiencing the peace and joy of heaven, we pray ... • For the family and friends of LaVar. May they may have faith that they will see him again, we pray ... • For the person who took LaVar’s life that he may know both justice and mercy, we pray ... • For law enforcement personnel who seek to make our city safe often at the risk of their own lives, we pray ... • For each of us that we may do whatever we can to end the scourge of violence, we pray ... Closing Prayer: (Together) God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed our very selves is destroying your creation. Make still the restless spirit within me that is self-seeking. Stir within our hearts a renewed Spirit of reverence, respect and reconciliation. In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus, give me the strength to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with each of us. Amen.

September 14, 2020

We remember Stephen Blackshear, 31, who died of gunshots wounds on September 4th. This occurred in the area of W. Third Street and James McGee Blvd. His funeral was held on Thursday, Sept. 10 at Thomas Funeral Home. As we have been doing during this time of COVID-19, a letter notifying the family of our condolences and prayer was given to the family through the funeral home. “Hope is believing in light in the midst of darkness and life in the midst of death.” (Charles Curran) Scripture: Revelation 21:3-4 I heard a loud voice from the throne cry out: “This is God’s dwelling among men. He shall dwell with them and they shall be his people and he shall be their God who is always with them. He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes and there shall be no more death or mourning, crying out or pain for the former world has passed away.” Prayers L: Let us remember the family and loved ones of Stephen. All: We acknowledge their pain and their deep grief. They are part of our community and they, need our love and help towards healing. L: Let us remember the perpetrator, his family and the families of all who commit violent crimes. All: We acknowledge that their lives too are devastated and their hopes dashed. For their sake and for ours we remember that pain goes in many directions from each act of violence. L: Let us remember all who have been harmed by violence and lives lost by CORVID-19. All: For their sake and for ours, we commit ourselves to building each other up and to healing together. L: Let us remember all those who work to keep our city safe. All: We acknowledge the need for wisdom and courage in their efforts to fulfill their call of service for the good of all. TOGETHER: We stand up to violence. We stand together expressing our unity, our connection to each other and to the Divine who is our hope for healing and for transformation. Let the Spirit of our Creator move through us to heal our communities. Let us begin by transforming ourselves so that we may be instruments of peace and non-violence. We continue in peace and hope. Amen.

September 10, 2020

God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed our very selves, is destroying your creation. Make still the restless spirit within me that is self-seeking. Stir within my heart a renewed spirit of reverence, respect and reconciliation. In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus give me strength to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with me. AMEN. (Prayer by Fr. Angelo Anthony, CPPS)

September 7, 2020

Praying for the repose of Jack's soul. His life was taken on August, 12 2020 Also praying for his family.

August 28, 2020

This has been a week of violence. In Dayton we remember Nascia Goodwin, 18, shot to death on Germantown Street at Gard Ave. on Aug. 26. Also, this week, one-month old Averi Groban died of blunt force trauma in West Carrollton. Taprice Goodwin and Ariana Middlebrook, both 27, were shot to death in Riverside. Nationally, Jacob Blake, a Black man was severely wounded/impaired at the hands of police – another victim of racial injustice. Associated with that event were the deaths of two men killed at a peaceful protest by a white teenager. In all of this I keep thinking of John 11:33-35 “Jesus wept” at the death of Lazarus and the anguish of his loved ones. That anguish is being shared by so many at this time including ourselves. PRAYER SCRIPTURE: Lamentations 3:22-24 The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. My portion is the Lord, says my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 We would have you be clear about those who sleep in death, brothers [and sisters]; otherwise you might yield to grief like those who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose God will bring forth with him from the dead those who have fallen asleep believing in him. PETITIONS: Response: Lord, hear our prayer Compassionate God, we ask • That Nascia’s soul rest peacefully in your arms and that her loved ones know your peace and compassion, we pray….. • That each family touched by this week’s tragedies finds peace and healing, we pray… • That Jacob Blake may gain strength as he begins the long road to recover, we pray… • That perpetrators be brought to justice and seek forgiveness from you and all those whose lives they have shattered, we pray…. • That police officers exercise their responsibilities with wisdom, justice and fairness, we pray…. • That racial justice be promoted throughout our country and our world, we pray…. PRAYER God of life, source of hope, the violence within our world, our communities, our families, indeed our very selves is destroying your creation. Make still the restless spirit within me that is self-seeking. Stir within my heart a renewed spirit of reverence, respect and reconciliation. In union with the Precious Blood of Jesus give me the strength to break the cycle of violence by realizing that peace begins with me. Amen.

August 21, 2020

On August 9th twenty-four-year-old Ky’Ron Cannady was shot to death in what should have been a minor disagreement with a cousin. His funeral was held this week. His obituary noted that he loved church and was a praise dancer. He also loved music, participated in sports, was trained in landscaping and horticulture and worked in remodeling houses. Ky’Ron was eagerly awaiting the birth of his first child. Each day he hoped to do something he had not had a chance to do. Mourning his death are his parents, grandparents, many siblings, and other relatives. SCRIPTURE: Wisdom 4:7-11; 13-14 But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the venerable crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age. He who pleased God was loved; he who lived among sinners was transported, snatched away, lest wickedness pervert his mind or deceit beguile his soul… Having become perfect in a short while, he reached the fullness of a long career; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he sped him out of the midst of wickedness. Prayers L: Let us remember the family and loved ones of Ky’Ron All: We acknowledge their pain and their deep grief. They are part of our community and they, need our love and help towards healing. L: Let us remember the perpetrator, his family and the families of all who commit violent crimes. All: We acknowledge that their lives too are devastated and their hopes dashed. For their sake and for ours we remember that pain goes in many directions from each act of violence. L: Let us remember all who have been harmed by all forms of violence All: For their sake and for ours, we commit ourselves to building each other up and to healing together. L: Let us remember all who strive to keep our city safe. All: We acknowledge the need for wisdom and courage in their efforts to fulfill their call of service for the good of all. TOGETHER: Loving and merciful, God, receive our prayers for Ky’Ron, and all those who loved him and now mourn his untimely death. May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ console them and may harmony be restored and justice served. In you we place our hope and trust confident that you guide everything with wisdom and love. May peace, the fruit of justice and charity, reign in every family and neighborhood throughout our communities. We pray in Jesus name and in the power of the Precious Blood. Amen

August 15, 2020

What should have been a cause of celebration became a tragedy. Twenty-nine-year-old Terri Taylor was killed in a drive-by shooting at a birthday party held on Catalpa Dr., Wednesday, August 12th. Three others were also shot but are recovering. Police believe the gathering was targeted, not random. How tragic this must be for all who came together to celebrate life and now will always remember this day because of an act of violence. Let us remember all of them, especially Terri’s loved ones. God of the Sorrowing, we pray for Terri and for all those affected by her tragic death. May you wipe away the tears from their faces. For Terri, death came as a thief in the night. May she be experiencing new life in your kingdom. From this tragedy may we find courage to battle the violence that seeks to destroy our neighborhoods, our city. As faith-filled people, we commend the spirit of Terri into your hands. Amen.