• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe
Faithful from the Archdiocese of Baltimore attend a Mass of healing March 26, 2024, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland for those affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

All That We Can Do

March 27, 2024
By Rita Buettner
Catholic Review
Filed Under: Blog, Bridge Collapse, Commentary, Open Window

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Every morning the news comes on the radio to wake me up.

Many days I listen for a minute and fall back to sleep.

Not yesterday.

The news came on and immediately I was awake. It was horrific. A ship had hit the Key Bridge, and the bridge had collapsed. People and vehicles were in the water. It was pitch black, and rescue crews were on the scene.

What a nightmare.

Listening and reading and watching the news, I felt so helpless. There was only one thing most of us could do—and that is pray.

In today’s world, prayer is often criticized as weak. People mock those who send “thoughts and prayers.” On one hand, I understand. We want to see concrete action. We want to witness instant miracles and transformation. We believe people should show up and put their beliefs to work.

But prayer matters. Prayer is so powerful. Telling someone you are praying for them—and following through—can be an extraordinary gift.

I happen to believe prayer changes situations. It invites God into the story. It tells him we need him, and we are open to his work in our lives. Prayer also changes us, putting us in a space where we might find greater clarity and purpose, so we know how to act.

Prayer can move mountains. And sometimes it is our only path forward.

I can’t save lives. I can’t help rescue workers see through dark choppy waters. I can’t give wisdom to officials who are guiding a search and rescue operation. But God can. And God knows what’s needed in a way we can only guess.

Most of Baltimore—and much of the nation—held those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts and prayers yesterday. And it mattered. It matters still, as we figure out what happens next for the bridge and our community. And it certainly matters for the families and friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives—and for the survivors, too.

Late in the day, I went to the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen to pray with others at a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Lori. The crucifix over the altar was covered with a purple cloth because it is Passiontide. It struck me that so often we cannot see Jesus, but he is always there. He is suffering with us. He is weeping for us. And he is loving us and holding us close to him.

Today there is not much we can do, but we can pray. And that is important. Prayer has an impact—often unseen, but real.

Please join me in praying for those affected by the bridge collapse, for Baltimore, for Maryland, and for those who will help find a path forward.

Amen.

To support the families of the victims of the Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy, click here.

Also see

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

The fisherman and the pharisee

A loaf of sliced bread

We are part of the miracle

Copyright © 2024 Catholic Review Media

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

The fisherman and the pharisee

| Recent Local News |

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Movie Review: Superman
  • Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit
  • Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war
  • Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass
  • Movie Review: Sorry, Baby
  • ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release
  • Come away and rest awhile
  • French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause
  • Pope: Vatican still ready to host peace talks between Russia, Ukraine

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en