Sister Anne Schwartz is back at the Sparkill community, and she knows how your prayers were with her when she was in Pakistan. As she watches what members of her order are facing, she again asks for your prayers for her sisters who live and work there. Below is a letter she received.

Dear Sisters,

So much has happened since I have returned to Pakistan. It was exactly two months yesterday but it feels as if I had never left Bahawalpur. I was very busy for about a month in order to begin the new school year.

We have two new members in the community, one of them; Sumaira James is living in Bahawalpur.

Since I have come back we have had many incidents of aggression against Christians in the country. So much so that a young man was murdered in police custody and he was not allowed to be buried in his own village. He was accused of blasphemy. Several people have lost their lives and many have lost their homes and possessions in recent months. Most of the attacks on Christians' houses and churches followed claims of desecration of the Koran. Investigations generally proved the claims to be false.

We have spent these few months in tension and worries but the worse was still to come.

The clean up operation has begun in South Waziristan and the situation of the country has worsened since. There are more than 170,000 people at risk for displacement. The entire country is living in fear; no one knows when and where the next attack will be.. We as Christians have to be extra cautious. We had closed the schools on Tuesday, but the Punjab government announced to close all the educational institutions indefinitely from Wednesday. It seems we will postpone all activities for indefinite time.

I know Sparkill is saying a novena for peace this week. I request all of you and the friends of Sparkill Dominicans to keep us in your special prayers. Our country is in such a mess.

With love and prayers,

Anna