August 9. SEE.  Sunday 19A. WOMEN’S DAY SOUTH AFRICA. Various groups had decided to hold a combined  interfaith church service to commemorate Women’s Day and the important 1956 march that had contributed to the journey towards democracy. “We don’t want to forget the importance of God in our lives.  We thank God for his role in all our liberation, as women and men, but right now in our country we pray for an end to violence in particular against women and children, which is even seen as a national disaster, as well as the xenophobia that has been plaguing us recently.  Families have been torn apart and mothers with children suffer the most.  We pray for peace and calm and for openness to listen to one another’s voices.  We pray for victims but also for perpetrators that they may recognise the evil they have committed and experience a conversion of heart.  We pray for healing for every family that has suffered.”     

JUDGE. Reflect, share, act. Scripture:  Elijah stood upon the mount before the Lord. The Lord passed by and a great, strong wind tore the mountains, but the Lord was not in the wind, and after the wind an earthquake , and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire, and after the fire there was a still small voice.  And when Elijah heard it he went out and stood at the entrance to the cave.  1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a.   Pope Francis:    Love impels us towards universal communion.  No one can mature or find fulfilment by withdrawing from others.  By its very nature love calls for growth in openness and the ability to accept others for a greater sense of mutual belonging.  FT 95.  Pope Leo: Let us cultivate relationships! In an era that favors speed and fragmentation, the human person still yearns to receive care and recognition from attentive minds, kind words and hands capable of tenderness. MH 239. ACT AND PRAY Women’s Day. . 

PRAYER FOR THE WOMEN OF SOUTHERN  AFRICA 
Almighty God, 
You are father and mother to us, your children. 
We thank you for the particular and special gifts you have given to women,  
the gift of nurturing life, of sustaining and supporting life,   
the qualities of compassion, commitment, generosity and a willingness to share. 
As they progress towards their rightful place in society we request your blessing on all women 
  	that they may continue also to hold their rightful place in the family. 
 	that women and men together may build a society 
  	which will bring about the Kingdom You have promised us. 

We call on Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who nurtured and cared for her son and now reigns with Him in heaven 
to inspire the women of South Africa, 
 	to pray with them in their joys and in their struggles,
 	and to intercede for them with her Son. 
Mary, Queen assumed into heaven, patroness of South Africa, pray for us.
St Francis and St Clare, lovers of peace and support for those who are suffering, pray for us.