I sit here in a moment of grief, thinking of the events that have taken place at the Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
At the time of this writing, there is believed to be 20 injured children, along with two who have passed from this shooting.

I am very hesitant to share the words "thoughts and prayers" at this moment, as so many are grieving the safety and loss of children. While I believe in the power of prayer, I also believe in its ability to motivate the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to be active in the world. In moments like this, our prayers must fuel actions so that care can be produced.

Many are grieving at this moment—not just those at this beautiful Catholic school, but also those of us who have children currently attending schools daily. We pray for their safety, but we also recognize the necessity of being active in ways that make their safety more attainable.

It is not a political statement to call for more realistic measures that ensure the safety of our children. In so many different situations, the battle cry for the care of our children affects decisions that are being made, but unfortunately, these concerns are not always visible in times like this.

I pray we work toward a time when events such as this become far more limited. I pray that we work together, speak together, and attempt to comfort those who are feeling a sense of loss at this time, helping them discover the caring hands and feet of those who have the power to make meaningful changes moving forward.

May Christ be real in this moment of time.