Prayer request for Lewiston Maine

Hello Everyone: (from Rita Dube a parishioner) Thought I would forward my son's message to many of Dube Travel's customers asking for prayers. (Scroll to see a remarkable picture.)

His message really moved me and I am very proud of him for sharing his faith and asking others to do the same. Also, very proud of our daughter Jennifer who extended her love and support by sheltering the the x-wife and son of the killer at their cottage.  They are still there getting counseling and help. What a sad tragedy. Rita

Lewiston mourners vigil overflow at Saint Peter and Paul Basilica on October 29, 2023

 Dear friends and fellow faithful,  As many of you may know, Dube Travel is located in Auburn Maine.   Our office is located about one minute from Lewiston which as you have likely seen on the news, is the location of a mass shooting that took place on Wednesday and took the lives of 18 of our fellow community members.   I was born and raised in Lewiston, raised my family in Lewiston, and for over 45 years of our company’s history, we were located in Lewiston before moving across the Androscoggin River to Auburn.  This is our home and this horrific and unthinkable incident has left us all in a sense of numbness and pain.  

 

The purpose of my email today is that our company is blessed to be part of what I know will help everyone affected.    We are part of a community that understands the power of faith and prayer.  You are that community, our Catholic friends, faithful and pilgrims that know God is present with us in all of this pain and suffering that is taking place in Lewiston right now.

 

Today in Maine, the weather is a cold 41 degrees and raining.  This morning, I had to take a detour because the normal route I take to work has been closed as one of the shooting locations is on that road.  While driving, I couldn’t help but think how the dreary weather seemed very appropriate for the mood that is everywhere in our community.   The aery sense of not knowing how to process this tragedy, the uncertainty, the feeling of helplessness and the fact that even though we are a city of nearly 40,000 people, that there were personal connections just in our small office.   This is likely true in the majority of businesses across our community.   This makes it even more difficult to process.   On Wednesday, we lost friends, and neighbors.  Bill and Aaron Young, the father and son that were killed at the bowling alley were our managers neighbors that would look after her house when she was away.  The second location, Schmengees, is owned by a longtime childhood friend of mine, David and Kathy Lebel.  My son Greg was there the night prior for his regular pool night with his Lewiston friends, and one of my former co- workers from my Coca-Cola days, whom both myself and wife know, Ron Morin, was a victim at that location.   Also quite sad, is the ex-wife and son of the shooter are employees of my sisters restaurant, and are friends with my sons Greg and Pete.  They are such good people and are struggling terribly and are in hiding as they try to figure out how to face this and move forward.  No doubt more connections will be discovered in the weeks ahead.

 

I find myself frequently in a state of thought, disbelief, and wondering what can I do.  I know one of the most important things we can do is ask for prayers for those most affected.  Last evening, at the prayer vigil at St. Peter and Paul’s Basilica in Lewiston, Bishop Robert Deeley conveyed a message from Pope Francis expressing his sorrow and commitment of prayer for all those in Lewiston.  Please join him and ask your faithful communities in your parishes and diocese to join him.  Right now, the community is still in shock and there is a sense of numbness but we know prayers are the most important thing needed to help the healing process.

 

In 2016, the theme of WYD Krakow (World Youth Day 2016) was that of Mercy.  It was an appropriate focus for what the world was and would be facing.   Today, as we see the war in Ukraine, the war in Israel, the continual mass shootings that occur too frequently, the most recent being here in Lewiston, it is the clear reminder of how much we are in need of Divine Mercy.  

 

If you are able, at 3 PM, the hour of Mercy, please take 5 minutes to pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.   It is ONLY through prayer and God’s Divine Mercy that we can move forward and heal.  

 

The picture below was taken by a local photographer and it is of our St. Peter and Paul Basilica here in Lewiston.   The weather yesterday was as it is today, a dismal, cold, rainy and dreary day.  As over 3,000 persons were starting to gather for the vigil for the community, the photographer took this picture of the Basilica.  When I look at it, I cannot help but get tearful as it is a clear and powerful acknowledgment that God is with us all during this dark and stormy time.

 

Thank you to all who have reached out over the last few days and thank you in advance for your continued prayers for Lewiston.

 

For the sake of His sorrowful passion, have Mercy on us and the whole world. Chris Dube, CTC | President

October 29, 2023