Invocation by Father Eric Cruz of Church of St. Anselm and St. Roch
Father Eric Cruz delivers an invocation invoking the Statue of Liberty's words, blessing council members, and calling on them to serve the homeless, immigrants, and vulnerable New Yorkers with justice and compassion.
Thank you.
We will now have today's invocation, which will be delivered by Father Eric Cruz of the Church of St.
Anselm and St.
Rock, which is located at 685 Tintin Avenue in the Bronx.
You inspired centuries ago.
The great words inscribed.
On the Statue of Liberty in this harbor, give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
Almighty God of Jesus Christ, Abraham, and Muhammad, you have woven together men and women of various gifts and talents into a rich tapestry of cultures, languages, creeds, and experiences.
A living tapestry that gathers beneath this dome in this hall of justice to exercise a sacred calling.
Public service.
They carry the weight of the hopes and aspirations as well as the needs, concerns, and challenges of every person in this city.
While the task is great, not greater than the grace and power of your Holy Spirit.
The spirit of love, compassion, wisdom that will occupy this space and inspire our hearts to walk in your way, the way of justice and peace.
Bless these members of the city council.
Open your eyes and our hearts to see ourselves as one of the least.
A homeless grandmother, a jobless father,
used migrant, a child thirsting for food, medication, and love.
Give these members the strength and fortitude to oppose the vast forces of division and oppression.
Grant courage and conviction to protect, save, and welcome innocent lives.
From far distant shores that have traveled a trail of tears seeking new life.
Grant your mercy and compassion, your guidance, as they discuss, create, and strive to pass bills and laws that direct and govern our very lives.
To feed the hungry, grant shelter to the homeless, and certainly foster humanity and dignity to those in dire need.
These members, your children, in accepting this great task are not in service to themselves.
They are in service to truth, justice, and true charity.
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
Lord, you remind us that we are our brother's keeper, our sister's keeper.
You remind us of a higher calling, and most particular to the City Council, the calling of public service.
Service that they are pleased and willing to accept.
Raising the honor and dignity of every person in this city to continue to become and be a light of hope and dreams and new life.
Amen.
Thank you.