Social Justice

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
 
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
 
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
 
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
 
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no place to go.
 
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
 
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
 
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
 
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of kindness to our neighbors.
 
Amen.
 
~ Author Unknown
 

God of Compassion, deliver us from evils of racism.                                               
Open our hearts and spirits to Your dream … that all may be ONE.                            
Our world, our country, this human family cries out in pain from the evils of racism.

Forgive and deliver us from the evils of active racism 
– a language of hate, entitlement and exclusion                                  
- actions of violence, cruelty, humiliation and separation               
– the calls to divide, destroy, turn away or eradicate

Forgive and deliver us from the evils of passive racism                                              
– a failure to acknowledge, notice, address racist words or actions  
 - a silent inaction toward words, remarks, judgements based on race  
 – an insensitive “say nothing - do nothing” stance of acceptance

Forgive and deliver us from the evils of systemic racism           
-- the biases that have long been part of so many systems                          
– in schools, housing, employment, healthcare and the environment 
  - in court proceedings, prisons and immigration detention centers

Forgive and deliver us from the evils of cultural racism                        
– attitudes of superiority and privilege                                               
– stereotyping and devaluing another’s intelligence or culture                                 
– describing a person by color, language or customs not our own

God of Compassion, rain down Your mercy upon us                              
–open our eyes and our hearts to EVERY dear neighbor                                        
- grant us courage to use our privilege to be means of Your Peace                              – -- forgive and deliver us from the evils of racism. AMEN

The Sisters of Christian Charity join in solidarity with all who cry out against racism in all its forms. We are profoundly troubled by the unjust murders of numerous sisters and brothers of color in our recent history. We mourn with our communities of color who have faced this injustice too often in our country. We are saddened by the continued
denial of rights for people of color in so many areas of life - in health care, employment, education, immigration, housing, and criminal justice. The well- being of ALL humanity in the United States depends on ALL of us dismantling the systemic and cultural realities of racial injustice and white privilege that have long divided and continue to divide our nation.

We are not yet “one nation under God with liberty and justice for ALL”.

As women religious we are committed to the Gospel call, “That ALL may be one…”
(John 17:21) and to the charism of inclusivity of our foundress Blessed Pauline, who
said: “Let me carry a fire of love in which ALL hearts may be enkindled”. We pray for
unity and healing and for an ALL embracing love that will hear the cry of our sisters and
brothers who are victims of injustice and inequality. We commit to being allies by
raising our voices and taking bold actions to end racial inequality in our country as we
rebuild “the beloved community”, the kingdom of God here on earth. We ask God’s
blessing on the work that lies ahead of us individually and as a community to recommit
to the values of respect and justice for ALL. “We are called to act with justice, to love
tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.” (Micah 6:4)

The SCC Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation publishes a weekly update to provide information on current social justice issues as well as suggested actions that relate to these issues. Use the link in the side bar to access weekly updates.  
   
There is also a quarterly newsletter to highlight past and upcoming events as well as to provide relevant and seasonal resources that encourage social justice efforts aligned with the needs of our times.