As we begin:
CNS illustration/Elizabeth Butterfield, Diocese of Erie
Talking about race may feel uncomfortable, unnecessary, or even causing further division; opening wide our hearts starts within us with personal reflection. As we begin this Lenten journey we know for some this may be the first time you’ve spent time thinking about racism within the framework of our Catholic faith; for others, it may be a daily reality you live. Mistakes will be made; progress, too. We are all learning this together as a community to better live our lives as disciples of Christ with our hearts open.
“Racism has been called America’s original sin. It remains a blot on our national life and continues to cause acts and attitudes of hatred, as recent events have made evident. The need to condemn, and combat, the demonic ideologies of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and racism has become especially urgent at this time. Our efforts must be constantly led and accompanied by prayer—but they must also include concrete action.” People of faith call on the Divine Physician, Christ the Lord, to heal the wounds of racism throughout our land. ”
In November 2018 the Catholic bishops of the United States released a Pastoral Letter Against Racism called, Open Wide Our Hearts. The letter is a powerful invitation for all the people of God to “face courageously the vice of racism, . . . reach out generously to the victims of this evil, to assist the conversion needed in those who still harbor racism, and to begin to change policies and structures that allow racism to persist.”
How it will work:
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, open to the daily offering either in the booklet or here on the blog. Each week includes a variety of options, including art, education, prayer, and family activities. (the booklet is available in the gathering space at OLIH, for download & print, or we can mail copy off to you!)
Each day, select one of the options offered. There are always additional resources, like videos, full articles, and more offered here on the blog. There are also family suggestions for younger children.
Check out the OLIH Lent page (linked over on the left) for a full schedule of all the offerings this Lent, including prayers services, video series, discussion , groups & more.
We encourage you to keep your daily learning to 10-15 minutes, unless you are REALLY intrigued by the day’s content. We’ve designed the booklet & blog in such a way to give everyone a chance to digest this content slowly to avoid burn out or losing interest for the duration of Lent.
Here are some questions for personal reflection:
· What do you remember from childhood about how you made sense of human differences? What confused you?
· What experiences have you had with friends or adults who were different from you in some way?
· How, if ever, has anyone given you help thinking about racial differences?
Prayer to End Racism (USCCB)
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.
Additional resource:
Fr. Josh Johnson, In my priesthood, I’ve never seen such openness from Catholics on racism. (video) by Rome Reports