Fr. Michael Murphy Invites Support for Gun Buyback and Grief Ministry
- Mark Talcott
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
"Gun violence is tearing apart our communities, and the Church must respond. This is not someone else’s problem. It is ours. I invite parishes across the Archdiocese to join us in this mission of healing and hope." Fr. Michael Murphy, Pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish
On Saturday, August 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Archdiocese of Baltimore will host the Third Annual Gun Buyback at Westside Shopping Center, 2413 Frederick Avenue in Southwest Baltimore.
This initiative, led by Fr. Mike Murphy and supported by parishes and community partners, is more than a one-day event. It is a bold and faithful response to the heartbreak and devastation caused by gun violence.
Fr. Mike is inviting you to consider how you can be part of this mission, whether through a gift from the parish budget, encouraging parishioners to give, or helping spread the message that our Church is present and committed to the healing of our city.
The Gun Buyback allows individuals to safely and anonymously turn in firearms. In the past two years, over 600 guns have been removed from circulation. These are weapons that could have been used in acts of violence, suicide, or accidental shootings. Each one turned in is a step toward safety and healing.
Removing unwanted guns makes a real difference. Firearms are used every day in suicides, domestic violence, and impulsive acts of aggression. When guns are accessible in a moment of crisis, the outcomes can be deadly. Nearly half of all suicides in the United States involve a firearm. Taking even one gun out of reach can mean the difference between life and death.
This event is a public witness to the dignity of life and the urgency of peace. In neighborhoods where violence has become all too familiar, the Gun Buyback signals that change is not only possible but necessary, and we are ready to help lead the way.
Gun buybacks also help reduce access to firearms that are often stolen and used in crimes. An estimated 500,000 guns are stolen each year in the United States. Many of these weapons end up in the wrong hands, escalating cycles of violence in already vulnerable communities. Buybacks disrupt that cycle by giving people a way to surrender weapons that might otherwise contribute to tragedy.
Supporting the Grief Ministry
We expect to use around $30,000 for the gun buyback, possibly a bit less or more, depending on turnout and the types of firearms received. All funds raised above that amount will support the Archdiocese’s Grief Ministry, which we hope to fund with $70,000 this year. This ministry is quietly and faithfully walking with those who have experienced unimaginable loss, offering hope and healing in the face of violence.
The Grief Ministry was created to serve the very people most affected by gun violence: families mourning loved ones, children growing up without parents, and individuals struggling with the trauma of sudden and violent death.
As described by Yvonne Wenger, Director of Public Relations for the Archdiocese and one of the architects of the ministry, the goal is clear: to meet people in their pain and offer them the hope and healing presence of Christ. The ministry offers pastoral accompaniment, connects individuals to counseling and support groups, and creates sacred spaces for prayer, storytelling, and shared grief. It is designed not to rush people through their sorrow, but to walk with them as long as they need.
“Our response is rooted in compassion,” Yvonne says. “We want to show people that the Church sees them, hears them, and will not abandon them in their suffering.”
This ministry is already making a difference, but there is so much more work to be done. Your parish can help expand that work.
A Call to Action
This effort is a call to live the Gospel in action. It is about saving lives and healing hearts. Fr. Mike Murphy is inviting parishes across the Archdiocese to stand with him in this effort.
Your parish can:
• Make a contribution from your budget to support the Gun Buyback and Grief Ministry.
• Share the giving link with your parishioners in bulletins and pulpit announcements.
Pulpit and Bulletin Announcement's to download.
By coming together, we can remove weapons from our streets, offer healing to those in pain, and proclaim with courage and compassion that the violence must end. This is our moment to respond.
Will your parish join us?
For Questions Reach out to:
Mark Talcott
Senior Director of Philanthropy
410-547-5554
