Visio divina, ‘divine seeing’, is a form of prayer where we invite God to speak to our hearts as we look at an image.
Continue Reading →Friday, February 19
Today’s Topic: Non-racist & Anti-racist
Franciscans hold signs during an "A.C.T. to End Racism" rally on the National Mall in Washington April 4, 2018. (CNS photo/The Catholic Standard/Jaclyn Lippelmann)
A person claiming not to be racist is different than a person actively doing the work of anti-racism. Being anti-racist doesn’t mean that you always know the correct action to take or what to say in every situation. It does require that you act and work against racism wherever it arises, especially in yourself.
As Catholics we are called to not only conquer racism in ourselves, but in others and society, as racism ignores the inherent dignity of every human being.
As Catholics the minimum is rarely enough. We must be actively seeking heaven and evangelizing to others the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Saying “I don’t see color” sounds good at first, because it means we are trying our best to look into the person—who they are, not what they look like, but unfortunately, it can imply you don’t actually see them, or feel that an integral part of them is irrelevant. It’s ok to see color of skin! It’s NOT ok to judge someone negatively or treat someone badly because of the color of their skin.
“God made every human person in His image. God delights in variety and has made us in beautiful shades to celebrate His creativity. The idea of being “color-blind” is like erasing a part of a person.”
We need to work together to recognize discrimination, prejudice, and racism exist; we need to more than simply acknowledge it…we need to fight against it in ourselves and others.
Take some moments to sit with these questions. Feel free to jot notes:
· What are your thoughts on race?
· How does your race affect you on a day to day basis?
· Are there unique events that have occurred exclusively because of your race?
· What were/are your emotional response to this topic/these ideas?
Children learn about racial differences and racial bias from an early age and learn from their first teachers—their parents.
At birth, babies look equally at all faces regardless of race.
By 3-months, babies look more at faces that resemble their caregivers
Children as young as 2 will use race to reason or presume things about behavior
By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias and tend to choose playmates based on race
Ages 4-5 children verbalize explicit racial prejudices and associate racial groups with social statues
By age 12, many children become fairly set in their beliefs—giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding
Additional Resources:
Catholic Teaching and the Anti-Racist Movement by the Jesuit Post
Being Antiracist by National Museum of African American Culture & History/Smithsonian. Wonderful website with practical, small steps and activities we can consider and learn from.
Anti-Racist Podcast Guide compiled by Victoria Lynn Alexander
Families:
Alike & Different: Daniel Tiger PBS Kid’s Learning Kit by PBS Kids A good resource that uses Dnaiel Tiger episodes to broach the topic of differences and similarities well-suited for younger children.
I Promise book by LeBron James Read-Aloud read by Nina Mata, the illustrator
Thursday, February 18
Defining the terms:
We often use vocabulary around racial injustice in different ways and with different understandings of what words mean. We invite you to explore resources that will help us to define a shared vocabulary for the duration of Lent
Anti-racist: the work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life
Implicit bias: implicit biases are associations that people unknowingly hold with regard to race, gender, age, religion, & other topics
Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience
Racism: different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices
Systemic Racism: ways in which institutional policies and practices create different outcomes for different racial groups. The institutional policies may never mention any racial group, but their effect is to create advantages for whites and oppression and disadvantage for people from groups classified as people of color.
White privilege: the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white. Generally white people who experience such privilege do so without being conscious of it. Does not mean white people have not suffered, but that their suffering was not made more difficult due to their racial group.
White supremacy: ideology that white people and the ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions of white people are superior to People of Color and their ideas, thoughts, beliefs, and actions. Not all racist actions are white supremacy.
FOR WHITE PEOPLE: After reading the definitions-take note of your reactions. What did you learn? What did you struggle with? White people in the US benefit from racist systems to some degree. Have you ever considered racism to include more than interpersonal interactions?
Additional Resources:
Equality v Equity and Other Racial Justice Definitions (by Annie E Casey Foundation)
Racial Equity Tools Glossary (by Racial Equity Tools)
Families:
Kids Talk About Race & Racism (by PBS, hosted by Amanda Gorman) A video for parents and younger kids (elementary-aged) to watch together about how to begin and continue the conversation about race & racism
Ash Wednesday February 17
As we begin:
CNS illustration/Elizabeth Butterfield, Diocese of Erie
Talking about race may feel uncomfortable, unnecessary, or even causing further division; opening wide our hearts starts within us with personal reflection. As we begin this Lenten journey we know for some this may be the first time you’ve spent time thinking about racism within the framework of our Catholic faith; for others, it may be a daily reality you live. Mistakes will be made; progress, too. We are all learning this together as a community to better live our lives as disciples of Christ with our hearts open.
“Racism has been called America’s original sin. It remains a blot on our national life and continues to cause acts and attitudes of hatred, as recent events have made evident. The need to condemn, and combat, the demonic ideologies of white supremacy, neo-Nazism and racism has become especially urgent at this time. Our efforts must be constantly led and accompanied by prayer—but they must also include concrete action.” People of faith call on the Divine Physician, Christ the Lord, to heal the wounds of racism throughout our land. ”
In November 2018 the Catholic bishops of the United States released a Pastoral Letter Against Racism called, Open Wide Our Hearts. The letter is a powerful invitation for all the people of God to “face courageously the vice of racism, . . . reach out generously to the victims of this evil, to assist the conversion needed in those who still harbor racism, and to begin to change policies and structures that allow racism to persist.”
How it will work:
Beginning on Ash Wednesday, open to the daily offering either in the booklet or here on the blog. Each week includes a variety of options, including art, education, prayer, and family activities. (the booklet is available in the gathering space at OLIH, for download & print, or we can mail copy off to you!)
Each day, select one of the options offered. There are always additional resources, like videos, full articles, and more offered here on the blog. There are also family suggestions for younger children.
Check out the OLIH Lent page (linked over on the left) for a full schedule of all the offerings this Lent, including prayers services, video series, discussion , groups & more.
We encourage you to keep your daily learning to 10-15 minutes, unless you are REALLY intrigued by the day’s content. We’ve designed the booklet & blog in such a way to give everyone a chance to digest this content slowly to avoid burn out or losing interest for the duration of Lent.
Here are some questions for personal reflection:
· What do you remember from childhood about how you made sense of human differences? What confused you?
· What experiences have you had with friends or adults who were different from you in some way?
· How, if ever, has anyone given you help thinking about racial differences?
Prayer to End Racism (USCCB)
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us. Amen.
Additional resource:
Fr. Josh Johnson, In my priesthood, I’ve never seen such openness from Catholics on racism. (video) by Rome Reports
Prayer to Heal Racial Division
We must pray for both the sin, and the healing; last week we shared the Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism and this week we share the Prayer to Heal Racial Division. May our prayers this week be for all of us to open wide our hearts to seek healing in our world, in our homes, and in our own hearts.
Prayer to Heal Racial Division
We thank you, O Lord,
For in your loving wisdom
You created one human family
With a diversity
That enriches our communities.
We pray to you, O Lord,
That we always recognize
each member of this human family
As being made in your image and beloved by you,
With worth and dignity.
We pray to you, O Lord,
That we may envision a way forward
To heal the racial divisions
That deny human dignity and
the bonds between all human beings.
We pray to you, O Lord
That we may affirm each person's dignity
Through fair access for all
To economic opportunity, housing,
Education, and employment.
We pray to you, O Lord,
That we may have eyes to see
What is possible when we reach out
Beyond fear, beyond anger,
To hold the hand of our sisters, our brothers.
We thank you, O Lord,
For your call and challenge to us
That we may reveal your teachings and your love
Through our actions to end racism
And to proclaim that we are all your children,
heirs to your sacred creation.
Amen.
Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice.
Want to know what we are doing at OLIH to support our desire to open wide our hearts? Click here.
Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism
As we prepare to enter into our Lenten season with a focus on racism may we begin allow that prayer to enter into our daily consciousness. The following prayer, created by the USCCB, is an opportunity to raise our awareness of the sin of racism in the world around us and invite God’s grace to envelop us all affected.
Prayer to Address the Sin of Racism
We pray for healing to address
The persistent sin of racism
Which rejects the full humanity
Of some of your children,
And the talents and potential You have given.
We pray for the grace to recognize
The systems that do not support
The dignity of every person,
That do not promote respect
For those who are seen as other,
Who bear the legacy of centuries
Of discrimination, fear, and violence.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Flint, and all children,
Have access to clean water and health care.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Mississippi, and all children,
Have quality education that will allow them to develop their gifts.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Camden, and all children,
Have homes where families can live in dignity and security.
We pray for graced structures
So children of color in Chicago, and all children,
Can grow up without fear, without the sound of gunshots.
Lord of all, we ask you to hear and answer our prayers.
Give us eyes to see how the past
Has shaped the complex present,
And to perceive how we must create
A new way forward,
With a new sense of community
That embraces and celebrates
The rich diversity of all,
That helps us live out your call to reject
The sin of racism, the stain of hate,
And to seek a compassionate solidarity
Supported by Your grace and Your love.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Copyright © 2018, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved. This text may be reproduced in whole or in part without alteration for nonprofit educational use, provided such reprints are not sold and include this notice.
For more information on our call to love check out this summary of the USCCB’s document Open Wide Our Hearts: the Enduring Call to Love.
This week we will announce all of our Lenten studies and prayer experiences. - You can find these either on our Facebook page or on our Website under EVENTS.
Lent 2021 - Revealing the theme!
Lent Begins on February 17, Ash Wednesday. Our theme this year is Open Wide Our Hearts.
In November 2018 the Catholic bishops of the United States released a Pastoral Letter Against Racism called, Open Wide Our Hearts: the Enduring Call to Love. The letter is a powerful invitation for all the people of God to “face courageously the vice of racism, . . . reach out generously to the victims of this evil, to assist the conversion needed in those who still harbor racism, and to begin to change policies and structures that allow racism to persist.”
This Lent may we open wide our hearts to address racism through growing in our awareness and knowledge, so that as an Easter people we will move into action following the example of Jesus who loved all!
Due to COVID we continue to take safety protocols seriously. Ash Wednesday Masses will, like Christmas, will require signing up and reserving your space. Watch for more information.