September 18, 2021
Dear Friends in Christ,
In Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus Christ brings forth a symbol to his closest apostles that reminds them of who they must serve if they are to find favor with God: a child. In today’s day, age and culture, this example might seem odd, since many middle-class American parents (and grandparents!) place their children at the center of their existence: cherished, and in some cases, showered with far more than they need.
But as we learn from Loyola Press’ Background on the Gospel Reading, a child in first-century Palestine would be without status, power or any legal rights. So, by bringing a child among the apostles, Jesus Christ demonstrated that they were to serve the least among them. In doing so, he teaches all of us that, when we serve those without influence or authority, we are serving him.
Today’s message is short, so we can give ample space to a summary of “The Justice Thought,” thought pieces contributed by the Parish Pastoral Council’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Racism to help us think more deeply about racism and its effect in our lives. I hope you will read the following piece with an open heart turned toward conversion and take part in the committee’s survey.
As our Religious Education year kicks off this weekend, let us pray for all our catechists, families and children who will embark on a new season of learning how to best know and serve our Lord. May they gather in safety and fellowship, as they learn new ways to serve God and each other.
I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John
Sunday, September 19:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Jack Price.
- Mass at 8 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings.
- Mass at 9:30 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon. Mass readings.
- Mass at 11:15 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. Francis Russo. Mass readings.
- Mass at 5 pm in church. Celebrated by Fr. Ted Hegnauer. Mass readings.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Donna Ruffin.
Monday, September 20:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Virtual parish Rosary at 4 pm. Led by Fr. John Dillon.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Tuesday, September 21:
- Morning Prayer at 7:30 am. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
- In-person Mass at 9 am in church. Celebrated by Fr. John Dillon.
- Rosary in Spanish at 6:30 pm. Led by Deacon Will Garcia.
- Evening Prayer at 7:30 pm. Hosted by parishioner Lois James.
Parish Resources:
The Justice Thought
Summary of Messages from July 25 - September 5
What messages have we published thus far? Refer to the list below for a summary of the messages (Note: You must already be logged in to Flocknote to directly link to a message). This week, we added new conversation starters to encourage even deeper reflection than previously.
Recommended actions:
- Starting today: Use the new conversation starters with your family at dinner time, in car rides, with colleagues/friends.
- Today through October 3: Share some of your observations/a-ha moments (anonymously) using our Justice Thought survey.
Why a survey? We are trying to collect data points to help us, as a church community, identify potential blindspots and prioritize our focus on providing resources to support our growth as individuals and as a parish. We want to challenge all of us (in a good way) to reflect on how our unconscious biases, snap judgments, and past learnings have shaped how we view others who look or act differently than us. These may cause you to have a reaction- and yet, if we are compassionate with ourselves and allow ourselves the grace to explore how we form relationships in our lives, then we also allow ourselves the opportunity to grow.
Who will see the survey results: Members of the Ad Hoc Committee* on Racism will review the results and summarize the high-level findings. We will review the high-level findings with Fr. John Dillon and explore ways to communicate: (i) best practices/lessons learned and/or (ii) proposed next steps.
Questions? Please contact Vince Prince at price93057@aol.com or Chris King at caking.home@gmail.com.
Background: The Parish Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Racism provides a brief message each week under the title, “The Justice Thought” that is intended to educate and help us contemplate ways we can combat the sin of racism. This project stems from recommendations made to the committee by participants in the parish-sponsored dialogue, “Four Courageous Conversations on Racism.”
Date: 7/25/21
Summary of message:
New conversation starters:
- Where did you meet your three closest friends?
- What could you do to expand your circle of friends?
Date: 8/1/21
Summary of message:
Make room for others in our hearts. In practice, love compels us to stop, look, and listen to what we think, say, and do to others.
New conversation starters:
- How does your choice of school affect others?
- How do you react when someone moves into the neighborhood who looks/acts differently than you?
Date: 8/8/21
Summary of message:
New conversation starters:
- How/where did you and your spouse/partner/significant other meet?
- What needs to be “the same” with you and your partner? What’s okay to be “different” (if anything)?
- Married couples: Did you expect your spouse to acclimate to your family traditions? What steps did you take to understand and appreciate your spouse’s family traditions?
Date: 8/14/21
Summary of message:
Scripture tells us that there should be “no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgement.'' (1 Corinthians 1:10).
New conversation starters:
- Why do you think that a greater proportion of Blacks and Hispanics lack access to quality healthcare?
- Why do you think Black and Hispanics face more crowded living conditions?
- What would it take to change this?
Date: 8/22/21`
Summary of message:
New conversation starters:
How familiar are you with the legislative initiatives associated with the topics** below? Which one(s) could you see yourself stepping up and getting involved with?
- Access to health and maternal care
- Meaningful educational opportunities
- Prison reform
- Restorative justice initiatives
- Housing anti-discriminatory efforts
- Juvenile justice reform
- Ending the grossly disparate practice of capital punishment
Date: 8/29/21
Summary of message:
New conversation starters:
- How do you react when you learn that your new teammate, roommate, or co-worker is a different race/ethnicity than you?
- College students: what do you/did you look at when considering a roommate? How did you/would you react if you saw your potential roommate on social media and he/she is of a different ethnic background than you?
Date: 9/5/2021
Summary of message:
New conversation starters:
- Homeowners: Looking back at your first home purchase - how easy/hard was it for you to navigate the financial hurdles to securing a mortgage? Why do you think that is?
- Non-homeowners: Is it a choice you made? If not, then what obstacles are you facing to own your own home?
* Committee members include: Vincent and Jeanette Price, Christine King, Marie Barry, Ron Hays, Mary Jordan, Mona Kernisan, Louise Locke, Trish Olin, and Ann Pierre.
** List is from June 2020 “Building Bridges of Understanding and Hope” - A Letter on Racial Justice” from the Catholic Bishops of Maryland. These are specific examples of laws that they support which seek to “bring about justice and an end to unequal treatment based on race.”
