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February 17, 2020
February is Black History Month
Chloe Becker, a high school senior from Ohio, painted this mural of important African and African American saints as a medium to start a conversation about systemic racism. Her mural depicts 3 African saints, Augustine, Monica and Benedict as well as 2 African American Catholic leaders who have causes for canonization, Sr.Thea Bowman and Fr. Augustus Tolton. Read her reflection on it:
Fr. Dan Horan, OFM gives a second look at Black History Month and what we often miss along the way. His article, which is available from NCR online, gives us some material to ponder. www.ncronline.org/news.opinion/ faith
Sister Norma Pimentel Speaks on Immigration at Manhattan College
As a part of Manhattan College's annual Peace Week, Sister Norma Pimentel, a national migration advocate, and Director of Catholic Charities in Brownsville, TX, will speak on her work at the U.S.-Mexico border at Manhattan College on Wednesday, Febs.19th. Learn more on the Manhattan College website. Read Sr. Norma’s response to the Migrant Protection Protocols the President has put in place and how they affect persons who are forced to remain in Mexico in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/president-trump-dont-ignore-the-suffering-at-the-border-caused-by-your-policies/2020/02/05/ecd281e2-4834-11ea-ab15-b5df3261b710_story.html Sister Norma challenges us: “how do we, in the words of Pope Francis, counter the “globalization of indifference” that leaves so many neglected?
World Day of Social Justice
On February 20th we celebrate the World Day of Social Justice. We are reminded to choose to be grounded in hope and to commit to the cause of justice for all.
PRAYER FOR THE WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE
God, we are called on ongoing conversion
Choosing again and again to be grounded in prophetic hope,
To affirm the steps toward justice,
To participate in the possibility of peace.
We are called to see the world as God’s ongoing creation,
Where all are part of one whole,
Where all is connected,
Where all is communion.We are called to see the celebrate the good
That persists even in darkness,
The light that refuses to be extinguished,
The beauty that can shine through
Even when suffering and pain overwhelm.We are blessed to be called,
We are blessed to struggle
To choose hope, to affirm justice,
To participate in peacemaking.
We are blessed to see the light,
To celebrate the beauty of the Creator’s world.
We are blessed by the strength of solidarity
As we turn toward connection, compassion and communion.--Jane Deren
