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Racial Justice

St. Francis Parish Racial Justice Book Group

You are invited to join us as we study the Catholic Church’s response to racial justice in America, and discuss where we are going.

Racial Justice and the Catholic Church By Bryan N. Massingale

Father Bryan Massingale is a professor of theological and social ethics. He is a priest and African-American. Confronting racism is difficult yet essential work to heal the brokenness in our society and our church. Racial Justice and the Catholic Church examines the presence of racism in this country, and explores how Catholic social teaching has been used – or not used – to combat racism and promote reconciliation and justice.

7pm – 8:30pm in 5B classroom on Tuesdays:

April 30, 2019 – Chapter 1 & 2
May 7, 2019 – Chapter 3 & 4
May 14, 2019 – Chapter 5 & the USCCB pastoral letter on racism

Sign up here and then purchase the book from your favorite book seller, and also, download the pastoral letter USCCB – Open Wide Our Hearts

Questions? Contact: Michelle Eiden  [mme_mi@hotmail.com] or, Scott Wright (734-821-2121) [swright@stfrancisa2.org]

REFLECTION BEFORE REACTION

The social media storm around the Covington Catholic High School students’ interactions on January 18 was overwhelming. Each television, radio, blog, and newspaper report only seemed to want to find the one side that was at fault. I decided to step back and have a conversation with myself.
  • What were the facts?
  • How did I interpret the facts based on what I wanted to believe?
  • How did I interpret the facts based on my own identity and experiences?
  • Has my own confidence in my identity or righteousness in my beliefs ever made another feel unwelcome or less than welcome?
I think about when my family has a disagreement. Sometimes it is about a specific event. Sometimes it is about everything that happens every time we get together over the decades. We repeat our script and we don’t always know why. We hear the script even when no one says it out loud.
Yes, at times my actions have probably made others feel unwelcome or less than welcome. My actions or inactions probably made someone else’s life more difficult.  I believe that I can do better. I believe many people doing better can change ourselves, our community, and the structures that keep us repeating the same harmful script over and over again.  Through prayer, contemplation, and working with others, we may be able to make the needed changes as we seek common ground.

Jan – Feb 2019: FEEDBACK SURVEY & To-Do List – Plus PHOTOS

“All films were interesting and informative.”

“I got a little more understanding of how much resistance there is to racial progress.”

“Optimism that St. Francis is tackling this issue!”

“I loved the experiment/experience of the last film and would like to pass this on to groups I engage with in the community.”

“Look forward to other classes and checking out reference.”

Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, a Pastoral Letter Against Racism

An Introduction …  On November 14, 2018, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved its most recent statement against racism.  It calls for “a genuine conversion of the heart…that will compel change.” It understands that “when we start to see some people as “them”…we fail to love.”  We are challenged “to walk humbly with God,” “opening doorways where once only walls stood.” Walls in our hearts, our communities, our Church.

Our St. Francis Parish Racial Justice Subcommittee of the Peace & Justice Committee invites you to join us as we walk humbly and learn more about racism. 

Racial Justice Film and Discussion Series – Explores how Black Americans experience racial bias by discussing the documentary, “RACE – The Power of an Illusion” 

  • The Difference Between Us (Biology of Race)
  • The Story We Tell (Sociology of Race)
  • The House We Live In (Politics of Race)
  • as well as, Short films from Brave New Films  “40 Strangers, 50 Questions” – Are we a really divided country, or do we have more in common than we realize?

Also see: http://usccb.org/racism

Ten years ago (August 17, 2008), Pope Benedict XVI “warned that racism is alive in modern society, and urged the Church to overcome all forms of racial intolerance.” We at St. Francis of Assisi, Ann Arbor heed his call. Our parish is developing several initiatives to support our pastor, Fr. James, and our bishop along with the Diocese of Lansing Task Force on Race and Catholic Schools.

“I pray that this task force is a positive step toward bringing many people of good will together on the issue [of racism] that is dividing some of our Catholic school communities. May God bless you all.”   + Bishop Earl Boyea

Diocese of Lansing news updates:
October 26, 2018,  Bishop Boyea – Task Force, Race and Catholic schools.

October 27, 2018,  “To our brothers and sisters of the Jewish community, we stand with you.”

Pope urges church to help overcome racism | National …
www.ncronline.org
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI warned that racism is alive in modern society, and he urged the church to help overcome all forms of racial intolerance.He said racism today is often tied to economic and social problems.

St. Francis Peace & Justice Committee recommends participation in
PPC Washtenaw www.facebook.com/ppcwc/
“Poor Peoples Campaign” www.poorpeoplescampaign.org/
& “Washtenaw Faces Race”  WashtenawFacesRace.weebly.com

St. Francis Peace & Justice Committee is also recommending the film, “Me the Other”. Watch here for more details to come.     This – Me, the “Other” – Trailer – is a super interesting movie on racism, and a diverse group of students living in Washtenaw County in Southeast Michigan.  See: https://metheotherfilm.com/
My life’s PURPOSE is to love as Jesus, to dialog with “the Other.”

 

Related Materials & Resources: links to learn more about the Church’s official positions.

Vatican:
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s1c2a3.htm

US Bishops
http://usccb.org/racism
http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/african-american/brothers-and-sisters-to-us.cfm

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm

Diocese of Lansing:
https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/news/diocese-lansing-forms-task-force-race-and-catholic-schools

https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/outreach-ministry/multicultural-ministry

America To Me:     Sign up here to receive information about the campaign, including early access to the “America To Me Community Conversation Guide” with tools to help you lead a watch party and host candid conversations about race and equity.

America To Me | Participant Media
https://www.participantmedia.com/film/america-me
www.participantmedia.com

Francis of Assisi Parish Peace and Justice Committee has some understanding of the following matters:

• How do our attitudes affect how we address racial issues?
• How does our “position” in our society affect (1) how we view other races and (2) how we interact with other races.
• How might we involve others (who may hold somewhat different views than we do on the topic) to consider the two previous questions?

Jan 8, 2019: FEEDBACK SURVEY:  AUDIENCE   – Plus PHOTOS

Contacts: Scott Wright & Michelle Eiden, Subcommittee on Racial Justice, Peace and Justice Committee at St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Ann Arbor.

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