August 28, 2025

Reader’s Guide

Peace & Unity:  A Pastoral Reflection by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson

This brief resource will help facilitate prayerful reading/listening and discussion of Archbishop Thompson’s reflection on the themes of unity and peace. (Read the pastoral reflection here)

In this guide you will find:

  • A prayer for possible use when reading the pastoral reflection.
  • Questions to help apply the content of this reflection to one’s personal faith life as well as one’s role in the broader community.
  • Action Steps for further learning and life application.

May our Lord Jesus bless you as you listen to and take to heart our shepherd’s thoughts on PEACE & UNITY.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, please guide my thoughts and feelings as I ponder the topic of Peace and Unity.  Lord Jesus, may I hear your voice teaching me throughout this pastoral reflection.  Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to serve as an instrument of authentic unity and peace within each of my communities, large and small.  +Amen.

Questions

For each paragraph or series of two to three paragraphs, consider these questions:

  • What word or phrase is jumping out at me—capturing my attention in this moment?  Why might that be?
  • How does the content of this paragraph (or these paragraphs) apply to me personally…to my life of faith, my understanding of these concepts, my relationships, my daily habits etc.?
  • What are the implications of this paragraph (or these paragraphs) for how I conduct myself as a member of society—as part of a community or communities?

Action Steps

  • Consider getting your news from a variety of sources representing various perspectives.  Take them all with a grain of salt, asking Jesus to shed the light of truth on your understanding of the day’s events.
  • If you are in the habit of spending hours reading sensationalized news on your phone (doomscrolling), consider limiting your media time to a very small percentage of each day—spending the time you save in prayer to God or conversation with neighbors.
  • Think of a child or children in your life.  Your own.  Maybe your grandchildren, nieces or nephews.  Look for opportunities to bring up some key topics of this reflection (e.g. unity, peace, mutual respect, the sacredness of life etc.) in age-appropriate conversations, helping one or more young person in your life understand and appreciate the value of peace and unity—foundational components of Catholic Social Teaching.

Stay tuned to The Criterion and archdiocesan social media for additional ways to make use of PEACE & UNITY:  A Pastoral Reflection by Archbishop Charles C. Thompson.

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