Prayers for the Special Ops Casualties

One Navy Special Warfare source called it “the worst day in our history by a mile.” Twenty-two Navy SEALs, 8 other U.S. military personnel, and 7 Afghan commandos were killed when their chinook crashed in Afghanistan.

Dangerous things are done around the world by men and women dedicated to preserving and protecting our freedoms. Tragedies of this magnitude underscore that fact.

The special operations forces are heavily Catholic, especially the Navy SEALs, which really isn’t surprising if you think about it.

But regardless of their faith, prayers are needed for the dead and their families, including the surviving brothers-in-arms of the NSW community who are in shock and disbelief about this unprecedented loss of life.

Servant of God Father Vincent Capodanno, pray for them.

The above was here.

CNN reports that those killed were reinforcing troops in Afghanistan:

In the single deadliest loss for U.S. troops since the Afghan war began in late 2001, 30 service members died early Saturday when a helicopter carrying them went down while they were reinforcing other troops, officials said.

Insurgents are believed to have shot down the CH-47 Chinook, a U.S. military official said. The Taliban claimed militants downed the helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade.

Among the 25 U.S. special operations forces killed in Wardak province were 22 Navy SEALS, considered to be the “best of the best.” Seven Afghan troops also died.

The majority of the Navy SEALs who died belonged to the same covert unit that conducted the raid that killed Osama bin Laden in May, though they were not the same men, the military official said.

The troops died during a “quick reaction” mission to assist military personnel pinned down by insurgents in a fierce firefight, a U.S. military official told CNN.

“It’s a big loss” for the SEALs, one of the officials said. “The numbers are high.”…

More here.

‘Like’ the Post that Much?

Sorry, I’ve just had to quickly remove the ‘Like’ button on the posts after my Blackberry just would not shut up with,

• carolegrignon
• marieberthelette
• soboisvert
• amauryalexandre
• melisandevadnais
• sophieboisverttete
• albertinetardif
• fanettechabot
• algernonlepage
• lucbonnet
• christelleplourde
• montaguechalut

and more, all enjoying various posts enough to click the ‘Like’ button. Congratulations? No. I don’t think so.

They’re all from Berlin, Germany and it only stopped when I removed the button. When they’re all gone for good, I’ll put it back.

Has to be a spam attack or something…

From the Gospel…

The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A:

After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray.

When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to him in reply, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.

But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

- St Matthew 14:22-33

Riots Break Out in North London

In via Reuters this AM:

(Reuters) – Rioters throwing petrol bombs battled police in north London overnight, setting patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire in some of the worst disorder seen in the British capital in recent years.

About 200 people rained missiles and bottles on riot officers near Tottenham police station after a protest at the fatal shooting of a man by armed officers earlier in the week turned violent.

Mounted police and riot officers on foot in turn charged the troublemakers, to push them back.

Eight officers were taken to hospital, one with head injuries, as rioters attacked buildings including banks, shops and a supermarket and torched three police cars in the main road near the local police base.

Television pictures showed a blazing bus surrounded by rioters and hooded youths pelting an abandoned police car with rocks and missiles.

While the bulk of the disturbance had been brought under control early on Sunday, pockets of trouble were still erupting nearby.

“These are very distressing scenes for Londoners in general and the local community in particular,” said Commander Stephen Watson.

“It’s important we emphasize that the safety of the public is of paramount importance to us. Our intention at this time is to bring things to as swift a conclusion as we can. Our absolute aim is to restore normality.”…

Read on here.

The Guardian also covers the news here.

Al Jazeera has a related video:

I hope and pray those that still believe over there will be able to get to Church in peace and safety today.