Our Lady Queen of Peace (OLQP) Parish in West Milford has been offering prayers — and help — to residents threatened by the deadly Jennings Creek wildfire on the nearby New Jersey-New York border and first responders battling the horrific blaze, which has consumed more than 5,300 acres so far.
OLQP, located in West Milford’s Hewitt neighborhood, has invited people on Face-book to pray for the safety of affected residents and firefighters, including parishioners. OLQP is on the opposite side of Greenwood Lake from the New Jersey-New York border and is not in the path of the wildfire.
The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the wildfire was 90 percent contained. So far, the blaze hasn’t destroyed or damaged any houses. More than 100 households on New Jersey-New York border voluntarily evacuated their homes last weekend, according to Fox 5 New York.
Many OLQP parishioners have joined a community-wide effort to prepare meals for displaced people and first responders. On Facebook, the parish offered its vacant school building as a shelter for those in need.
“Everybody, including the parish, is into helping in any way we can,” said Father Kamil Stachowiak, OLQP’s pastor, who was visiting Poland when the fire started. “People living here for 60 years say they have never seen anything like this. Residents are tired and scared. There were days when the fire looked contained, and then the wind started it all over. It’s been super dry here. We have been hoping and praying for rain.”
OLQP has also been praying for Dariel Vasquez, 18, a New York state forest ranger volunteer, who was killed on Dec. 9 by a falling tree while fighting the fire. He recently graduated from Ramapo High School.
On Facebook, OLQP invited people to pray with them for all those affected, especially those in “immediate danger.” Last week, the parish posted a special prayer that appears below.
“Through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, may those suffering find safety and courage, and may our collective prayers bring comfort and strength to those in need. Let us also extend our support to the first responders, who put their lives on the line to protect others,” OLQP posted.
According to CBS News, N.Y. State Environmental Conservation Department forest rangers led firefighters from state agencies and volunteer fire companies in fighting the wildfire on Sunday. These efforts included bucket drops from military helicopters and burnout operations.
Many OLQP parishioners are courageously assisting in combating the wildfires. They include Janet Scheil and Kathy and Keith Webber of the West Milford Fire Department, who have been working on the front lines, and Piotr and Gabriel Rakwal of the Greenwood Lake Volunteer Fire Department.
As of Monday, the fire was disrupting daily life in the area because smoke was drifting into neighboring communities. Schools in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., reopened on Tuesday, ABC News reported.
The OLQP’s post asking for prayers received a significant and heartfelt response. Parishioner John Pugliese posted, “In Jesus’ name, we pray for the safety of the firefighters fighting this blaze.”
To make any needed emergency arrangements with OLQP, call Father Stachowiak on the emergency line at 862-200-0158.
Prayer for those affected by the Jennings Creek wildfire
Heavenly Father,
We come to you in this time of crisis, lifting up all who are affected by the fires around us. We ask for your protection over those in immediate danger, that you shelter them from harm and guide them to safety.
Through the intercession of Our Lady, Queen of Peace, we pray for strength, resilience, and peace. Bring comfort to families facing uncertainty, courage to the firefighters and emergency responders, and unity to our communities as we support one another in prayer and compassion. Lord, we place our trust in your mercy and goodness. Grant us peace, now and always.
