First, we must acknowledge that racism is a sin. But it is a sin that is primarily within the human heart, before it is in any institution or structure. BLM and its philosophical cousin, Critical Race Theory, speaks a great deal about the “institutional sin” or “structural sin” of racism. They have even gone so far as to say that racism is America’s “original sin”. But one cannot talk about reforming institutions and structures without focusing on the real source of racism: not laws and policies, but the human heart. Once racism is rooted out of each individual’s soul, then and only then will institutions and structures change. Dr. King recognized this – and called all men to conversion of heart, not merely overthrow of structures.

Second, Dr. King sought to emphasize the equality of all men and women. He knew that racism was primarily a lack of human dignity given to a race, and that all people are fundamentally equal in dignity. However, BLM and CRT do not speak about human dignity – rather, they speak about class warfare. For them, the world is divided into victim/perpetrator, oppressor/oppressed. Rather than recognizing the dignity of every race, BLM and CRT urge the oppressed victim to rebel, to demonize the “oppressor”, to see human interactions as a series of “microaggressions” and to speak about the “unconscious racism” of white people. Nowhere do they recognize the dignity of all mankind – rather, it’s a veiled Marxist desire to end oppression through conflict, not peace.

Third, Dr. King realized that the foundation of all human dignity was that we are made in the image and likeness of God. This is what gives equality to all people of every race and background. A purely secular organization like BLM does not acknowledge this fact. But without reference to God, where does our dignity and equality come from? It can’t be bestowed by the government; although laws can forbid racist actions, they cannot force us to see one another as brothers and sisters.

It is unfortunate and tragic that racism still exists in our country. But, following Dr. King’s example, we can pursue a future where this sin is eliminated. We must recognize the dignity of every human being as made in God’s image and likeness, seek the conversion of hearts before changing structures, and seek peace between races instead of stirring up conflict. We hope and pray that this terrible sin will be quickly and thoroughly rooted out of our nation, so we can truly become one nation under God.

15-year-old Blessed Carlo Acutis died in Italy on October 12, 2006 of acute leukemia. Carlo loved Jesus and the Eucharist from a very early age, and one of his sayings was "to be always close to Jesus, that is my life plan". Another of his quotes is "The Eucharist is my highway to heaven."

Carlo was quite an ordinary teenager in that he loved sports, especially soccer; and he was a big fan of computer games and practical jokes. Yet because of his love of Jesus in the Eucharist, and because he was adept with the computer he created a program of all the Eucharistic Miracles documented through the centuries. After his death, this program was made into an Exhibit, on panels, of these miracles.

rica. The Exhibit will be at St. Jude Parish in Monroe, CT on January 22, 1:00 to 6:00 pm & January 23 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. Come and see!

5^th Sunday Rosary

Marge Tranzillo, Judy-Beth Raine, Maria Bertone, Deacon Ronnie Bicknell, Marie Micholovich, Joseph Bisignano, Sr., Vincent Daniello, Dyana vander Wielen, Martha Zenobia, Joe Pinto, Ray Schwartz, Daniel Louis Bianco, Zoey Frigo, Koswenda Family, Max, Hung Vu, Jamie Addesa, Alfred Zawadski, Michael Serke, Kristen Kelly, Leroy Moye 

(Live-streamed Masses may be viewed at https://www.stjuderc.org/view-masses.html )

Please call (203-261-6404) or e-mail (parish.office@stjuderc.com) before coming to the office. Much can be accomplished through a phone call or email, such as requesting masses/mass cards; sacramental records; registering for Baptism; etc.