RESISTING THE SCOURGE OF RACIAL VIOLENCE

This past week, I have found myself returning to thoughts of those three innocent people killed in Florida by a deranged, racist gunman. Imagine leaving your house for a routine shopping trip and ending up dead simply because some man with a gun doesn’t like the color of your skin. Sadly, the problem of racism is also a problem of violence that black Americans have had to endure for far too long. Racism is a particularly insidious sin, in part because it can be hidden and denied easily. If we allow racist attitudes an unchallenged place in our hearts, we will become ever more prone to acting out our racism. In the extreme, it becomes horribly violent. 

Our parish is blessed with authentic diversity. We are a community of faith that looks like the city in which we serve. We have a sacred responsibility to act and speak against racism. We have a sacred responsibility to preach the dignity that all people are given by God. I would strongly encourage you to talk with the young people in your life and reinforce to them the need to love and accept all people they encounter in their lives. As adult Catholics, we must model anti-racist behavior for the younger generation. Also, in your daily life, make a point to smile and speak kindly to people who look different than you. Pray for racial harmony and the hearts broken by racial violence. 

WANTED: CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS! 

Would you be willing to serve on our phone bank committee for the Capital Campaign, and/or man a table in the narthex to accept and assist with pledge forms? We are in great need of help. We’re going to soon begin the last big push to secure sufficient pledges for the Early Childhood Center with the intention of breaking ground in the spring of 2024. Honestly, we must break ground then to lock in construction prices or inflation will add hundreds of thousands of more dollars to the cost of this project. If you are willing to help, please contact Sharon Blakely in the parish office.