Our Human Diversity Is From You
Carissimi,
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Below is the opening prayer Imam Abdullah Antepli delivered some months ago in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is worth praying over in the context of the current Administration’s nativist and racially charged rhetoric.
The Holy One,
As your creation, we call you by different names, experience you through multiple paths. Our human diversity is from you. As the creator of all, you made us different. Enable us to understand, appreciate and celebrate our differences. Teach and guide us to turn these differences into opportunities, richness and strength. Prevent us from turning them into sources of division, polarization, hate and bigotry.
The Most Merciful One,
This incredibly diverse nation of ours is one of the most successful attempts to understand your wisdom in creating us different. We are far from being perfect but came a long way in creating a multi-cultural, multi-religious and pluralistic society by making in America: “You will be judged by what you do, not by who you are” as one of our foundational promise.
The Most Compassionate One,
Help us to preserve our achievements in this regard. Do not let the destructive forces of division and exclusion erode our ideals, our firm commitment to diversity and pluralism. Empower us and these legislators to further improve the culture of inclusion and welcome to all in our nation and beyond.
The Most Forgiving One,
Even if and when we forget you, please do not forget us. In your most holy and beautiful names we pray, Amen.
Caro imam, As-Salāmu Alaykum.
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Video: On 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s death, Tom Brokaw looks back
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Video: Robert F. Kennedy informs crowd of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Confessing the Church's Complicity in Racial Division
By Jim Wallis 4-04-2018
Editor’s Note: Today, Sojourners president Jim Wallis delivers the following remarks at the A.C.T. to End Racism on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., marking the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
This opening segment of our gathering has been titled by the courageous people at the National Council of Churches who planned this special day, “Confess to Confront Racism: Confessing the Church's Complicity in Practicing, Promoting, and Profiting from White Privilege and Racial Division.” That begins us at the right place, especially for white churches, and I speak from that history.
Confession is telling the truth. Telling the truth to God and the world about ourselves. Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Confession leads to freedom. This day is about freedom for all of us. Without confession to the sin of white racism, white supremacy, white privilege, people who call themselves white Christians will never be free — free from the bondage of a lie, a myth, an ideology, and an idol.
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There are several FANTASTIC events this week!
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Saturday, April 14 - 8:30 AM
Pope Francis said, “Racism today is the ultimate evil in our world.”
Dr. Greer G. Gordon’s back by popular demand following the Call to Action Conference this past October. Greer will continue our exploration of Racism in the Catholic Church, specifically here in Baltimore. This event will be held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Saturday, April 14.
We invite you to join us for a prayerful, closed-door (confidential), conversation on the ways in which the Roman Catholic Community can be active in addressing racism and discrimination. We welcome every interested person to this conversation, and hope that each parish, and academic institution of the Archdiocese of Baltimore will send at least two representatives to participate. Rooted in the Social Teachings of the Church, the day will offer insights into: the nature of discrimination and racism; the Church’s understanding of racism as a sin; tools for identifying and addressing racism; and the development of a practical action plan.
Included in the day will be a presentation by Baltimore’s Racial Justice Circle.
Click here
for complete information, and to register for event.
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Showing on April 15, following the 6 PM Mass
Roadtrip Nation: Beyond the Dream
brings to light the stories of those confined to the darkest shadows in American society: undocumented immigrants. The film follows Alexis, Rachel, and Pratishtha, who were each brought to the U.S. at a young age by their parents. They all have temporary relief from deportation, but not legal status. An immigration policy called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has allowed them to temporarily live and work in the U.S. Now in their twenties and without long-term protections, they are faced with the question: Will I be able to stay in this country?
Determined to clarify their futures, they set out on an unforgettable journey travelling cross country from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. to interview fellow immigrants who have forged productive lives as Americans, despite being denied the right to call themselves such.
Their interview subjects are diverse, including: a staunch Republican who champions immigrant rights, a former Goldman Sachs VP who outed herself as undocumented, award-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, and “Orange is the New Black” actress Diane Guerrero.
Brought to the U.S. from Mexicali at age five, Alexis is grateful to be afforded the opportunities people across the world wish for. But being torn between two worlds has made him feel overwhelmingly alone, and he seeks a community he can relate to.
Rachel has never considered herself anything but American. Like other 23-year-olds, she loves fast food and pop culture. But since her brother was forced to return to their birthplace of South Korea, she is reminded that the place she considers home might not be permanent.
Pratishtha comes from an Indian family who instilled in her the value of contribution. When her father died as an undocumented immigrant and thus without any record of his existence, she felt inspired to make her story, and others like hers, visible.
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- There is no charge for this event.
- Wine, cheese and popcorn will be provided!
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The St. Ignatius Green Team is engaging with community groups throughout Baltimore to partner in environmental efforts including tree plantings and neighborhood clean up. Join us on April 18th for our first effort with Blue Water Baltimore to plant trees in the Druid Heights Neighborhood. Blue Water Baltimore's mission is to restore the quality of Baltimore's rivers, streams and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy and thriving communities.
Wednesday, April 18, 9AM to 12PM
(Corner of Bloom and Division Street)
Contact Jessie Hillman with any questions:
For more information about the St. Ignatius Green Team, contact
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Project Rachel One Day Retreats
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“Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved, and forgiven.”
- Pope Francis.
Any woman or man grieving after an experience with abortion is welcome to attend a retreat day for spiritual and emotional healing on
April 28, 2018
.
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T
o upload information flyer for females who struggle with abortion issues and repercussions,
click here
.
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To upload information flyer for males who struggle with abortion issues and repercussions
,
click here
.
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Upcoming Events and Meetings
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Iñigo Book Group
Tuesday, April 10, 6:30 PM
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Ecumenical
and Interfaith Prayer Service
Thursday, April 12, 7 PM
For complete information see box above
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Dr. Greer Gordon - "Racism in the Catholic Church"
Saturday, April 14, 8:30 AM
For complete information see box above
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Film Showing: "Beyond the Dream"
Sunday, April 15, following the 6 PM Mass (6:45 PM)
For complete information see box above
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Women of the New Testament
Tuesday, April 17, 6:45 PM
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Green Team
Thursday, April 19, 7 PM
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Ignatian Weekend Retreat "Come Follow Me"
Friday, April 20 - Sunday, April 22
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Young Family Picnic at Sherwood Gardens
Saturday, April 21, 10 AM
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Respect for Life
Sunday, April 22, 9:45 AM
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Embracing God's Gifts
Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 PM
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Worship with Offerings, Liturgy and Prayers for Others
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POOR BOX
Each weekend St. Ignatius specifies a Poor Box collection for a needful cause. This week's
support goes to
Vulnerable Families in Crisis.
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MASS MUSIC
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
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PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN REPORT
Weekly updates on Christian persecution around the globe. Keep a prayerful watch on what is
happening with your
brothers and sisters!
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In this Aug. 28, 1963, file photo, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, addresses marchers during his "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. (AP Photo, File)
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How Pope Francis Carries on Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy of Christian Nonviolence
by Luke Hansen, S.J.
Both men experienced injustice but neither responded with violence nor remained silent. They showed great faith in God and the strength of love as an effective force for social transformation. This active love that resisted violence and upheld human dignity and rights they called nonviolence. The movements they led did not require arms or armies but won independence and civil rights through nonviolent struggle.
In 2018, we remember the 70th and 50th anniversaries of the deaths—both by assassination—of two of the greatest leaders of the last century: Mohandas Gandhi (Jan. 30, 1948) and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (April 4, 1968).
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by Gabriel Stoutimore
Recently, while chatting with an old friend who happens to be a professor of New Testament and Biblical Studies at a prominent Christian university, I asked him what he thought of the concept of “Christian Privilege” and whether or not he felt as if it existed in practicality. His immediate response was a resounding “yes.” However, as we began to unpack the terminology, examine the practical implications of discussing it as a preeminent cultural construct versus an abstract idea and thought more deeply about how we would actually define it, the idea of Christian Privilege became more amorphous.
DEPENDS ON YOUR LOCATION
This conversation with my old professor came from observing the recent trending hashtag on Twitter #ChristianPrivilege. How it originated or who started the “conversation”—if we can call the de-evolved shouting on social media platforms that—is unclear, but what has become clear and obvious to virtually everyone is that the term “Christian Privilege” itself is contextually defined.
READ MORE
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READER NOTIFICATION:
"Parish: the thought" is a publication of St. Ignatius Catholic Community, Baltimore. Each edition contains articles and news feeds that are included for awareness of current topics in our world today. The positions expressed by outside authors and news feeds are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of St. Ignatius Catholic Community or its staff.
- This e-zine was compiled by John C. Odean
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