Racial Justice Archives

Racial Justice NEXT STEPS and TAKE ACTION LIST What can I do for Racial Justice?

PRAYER AND FASTING FOR PEACE, JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION

Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing has declared the next six Fridays (June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3 & 10th) as days of prayer and fasting in order to seek peace, justice and reconciliation for all the peoples of the United States. These six days leads up to the anniversary of the death (on July 9, 1897) of Venerable Augustus Tolton (1854 – 97), a former slave who became the first black priest in the United States.

“Any path forward for our dear yet divided nation has to begin with prayer –- in earnestly bringing our fears, our hopes, our anger, our tears, to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, our righteous judge and prince of peace, in the certain knowledge that he alone can gently shepherd us towards peace, justice and reconciliation for all the people of our beloved land.” said Bishop Boyea, on June 4th. “In doing so, it is also appropriate to seek the assistance of Venerable Father Augustus Tolton.” Here is a prayer card to Venerable Father Augustus Tolton – Tolton-Prayer-Card-V2.pdf

News: USCCB Alert against Racism & Xenophobia during Pandemic here!

Racism Resources and Lists of Action Items To-Do (the page linked here is still a draft under construction) https://www.stfrancisa2.com/racial-justice-action/ and when ready to publish it is intended to include lists from these three documents. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lrotw1lJyUnIcRgc-R0Y2v1KbQTzyfps?usp=sharing

“In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists, and politicians analyze the criminalization of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.”

At our pilgrimage in February, we learned about the experience of Africans who were brought to America as slaves and their descendants who fought for civil rights. “13th” shows how American racism did not die with the end of slavery – it just changed form.

The title of Ava DuVernay’s extraordinary documentary refers to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which reads, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.” The Life, Peace & Justice Committee hosted a Zoom meeting on June 2, 2020, to discuss the impact of racism in our country, and to seek ways for us to respond. Several parishioners who hadn’t previously been involved in the committee were moved to join the discussion after reading our pastor’s letter about the death of George Floyd.

Day Pilgrimage: Racial Justice in Detroit

Pilgrimage: Racial Justice in Detroit with Fr. James
Saturday, February 15th, 2020. (8am-6:30pm)

Join us during Black History Month on Saturday, February 15, 2020, for a full day pilgrimage (8am-6:30pm). Together with our sister parish Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Northwest Detroit and both pastors, Fr. James Conlon (St. Francis of Assisi) AND Fr. Patrick Gonyea (Corpus Christi), we will celebrate the legacy and achievements of African Americans in Michigan and America.

In our ongoing pursuit of racial justice let us honor and imitate the strong desire to make a difference on a large scale as we see in the lives of Viola Fauver Liuzzo & Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and so many others of great faith, including Fr. Don Archambault, retired pastor emeritus of Corpus Christi.

At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, museum educators will lead us as we delve into the diverse history and culture of African Americans.

Throughout the day, we will hear testimonies and experience a real healing as we meet with community leaders like Dr. Michael McCallion from Sacred Heart Seminary, and we’ll participate in the 4pm vigil Mass, with both pastors, plus Fr. Don Archambault, retired pastor emeritus of Corpus Christi, and a champion of racial justice. .

Our tentative schedule follows:

Saturday, February 15, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. We depart from the west parking lot of St. Francis Church. [Please arrive by 7:45 a.m. in the west parking lot of church. Please be prompt as we leave at 8:00 a.m.]

4pm vigil Mass at Corpus Christi.

6:30pm p.m. Arrive back at St. Francis Church.

Our price: $70/adult and $35/child (2-17 years), under 2 yrs free. For family rates call 743-821-2121. The price includes transportation by coach, lunch, entrance fees, and all tour fees.

For questions, contact Scott Wright at (734-821-2121) (Mobile:734-480-8422) (swright@stfrancisa2.org)

*Please bring your money for gifts, snacks & any souvenirs.

Please include payment at the time of registration.

Payment by credit card may be made below here, or, deliver your payment to the Parish Office, payable to “St. Francis” and note: “Pilgrimage: Racial Justice in Detroit.”

(Once this trip becomes “SOLD OUT” we will keep a wait list in case of any cancellations.)

(Parking for trips- please use the West Side lot.)

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish, 2150 Frieze Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

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 Life, 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

‘Worship of a False God’ | Commonweal Magazine

An Interview with Bryan Massingale – By Regina Munch June 5, 2020. Fr. Bryan Massingale is a professor of theology at Fordham University, and the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. Assistant editor Regina Munch recently spoke with Fr. Massingale about the racist policies and structures in the country and the Church for the Commonweal Podcast. Drawing on his training in theology and his personal experiences of racism, Fr. Massingale highlights the necessity of moving from anger to action in order to dismantle racism wherever it’s experienced. You can listen to the full episode here. A transcript of the interview follows.

Regina Munch: Fr. Bryan, we’re talking now as activists and protesters nationwide are demanding justice for George Floyd and seeking an end to systemic white supremacy. You wrote an article for National Catholic Reporter in which you say that Amy Cooper holds the key to understanding racism in the United States. What did you mean by this?

Fr. Bryan Massingale: Great question. Thank you. Let me tell you a bit about … (read more…)

“Does Talking About Racism Make You Uncomfortable?”
Father Bryan Massingale, Catholic theologian and author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, speaks on the need to have uncomfortable conversations. He discusses the need to be courageous as we examine racism in our communities and Church, and commit to learning and to challenging it at every step. Let’s focus on the heart of what Father Massingale is saying. Read it here… ‘Worship of a False God’ | Commonweal Magazine …