Contact: Catzel LaVecchia catzel@churchofpresentation.org
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8-9
The Justice & Peace Ministry strives to respond to the signs of the times as we follow and bring to light our Catholic Social Tradition. We promote a social vision that is transformative and fosters a living faith that leads to loving action in the world today thereby making visible the reign of God. Catholic Social Teaching and Tradition is the church’s articulation of its reflections on human beings and the realities (at any given point in time) in our complex and ever-changing world. We strive to engage people in reflecting upon their life and circumstances in light of the Gospel call to justice. We challenge people to look at the issues in our world that endanger full human flourishing.
Our ministry meets monthly for prayer, discussion and planning, and provides educational opportunities about social justice issues and enables people to respond in Christian action.
These events and opportunities include the Fairtrade Sale, Hunger Banquet, Film Series, and relevant prayer services. Another activity of this ministry is the Offering of Letters Campaign, when parishioners are invited to write letters to their elected representatives asking them to support U.S. legislation that will help the poor and hungry people in the U.S. and abroad.
ARTICLES about CURRENT EVENTS:
Article on racism in the Church: I was kicked out of seminary for being too Black. But God wouldn’t let me go. (America Magazine, May 2021.)
Article on Racism in the Church: The Chauvin verdict: relief, vindication but not celebration (NCR)Article: “Healing of America’s Soul” (America Magazine) This article shares thoughts from Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, the nation’s first African American cardinal, who says that a “healing of America’s soul” is needed.
Article: “Jesuit Colleges and universities condemn acts of Violence against Asians (Ignatian Spirituality Network)
Please take the time to read this important and timely article published in NCR by Fr. Bryan M. Massingale, the James and Nancy Buckman Professor of Theological and Social Ethics at Fordham University in New York. It is called “The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it.”
If you did not see this live, take the time to watch this powerful dialogue is called “Racism in Our Streets and Structures: A Test of faith a Crisis for our Nation.” You can watch by clicking on this link.
In this editorial titled To fight racism, Catholics must hunger for justice like we do for the Eucharist, America Magazine is challenging for all of us, and states: “In the face of racism, Catholics must hunger for justice as we hunger for the Eucharist. The Gospel calls us, as we prepare for Communion, to “go first and be reconciled” (Mt 5:24) with our sisters and brothers.” Read the editorial here.
This is another timely and thought-provoking article written by Joan Chittister titled: “Blind to Equality Yet?”
Books about Racism and Justice
We are offering suggestions of books to help inform our parishioners about racism and anti-racism and the Church’s teachings on this topic. The more informed we are the more we can be part of a much-needed solution.
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church by Fr. Bryan Massingale / This book, written by Fr. Massingale, a Fordham University theology professor, examines the essential work needed to heal the brokenness of our church and our society. It explores how Catholic social justice teachings has been used and not used to combat racism and promote reconciliation and justice.
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson / Just Mercy follows idealistic young lawyer, Bryan Stevenson, as he fights for the poor, the wrongly condemned, and other outcasts of an unfair criminal justice system. The 2019 film adaptation, staring Jamie Foxx, is now available to watch online for free.
The Color of Compromise, by Jemar Tidsby is both enlightening and compelling, telling a history we either ignore or just don’t know. Equal parts painful and inspirational, it details how the American church has helped create and maintain racist ideas and practices. You will be guided in thinking through concrete solutions for improved race relations and a racially inclusive church.
The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin is a searing book of essays by one of America’s favorite authors, this influential text from the emerging civil rights movement details intersectionality between race, religion, and more. Through Baldwin’s life in Harlem and two open “letters,” he urges Americans, BIPOC or not, to fight the terrible racism imprinted on the soul of a nation.
Here are some more book reviews by The National Catholic Reporter:
- New memoir explores middle-class blackness in the post-civil rights era (June 3, 2015)
- A black man writes to his son; three-part letter pursues ‘question of how one should live within a black body’ (Feb 17, 2016)
- Old case, new look at systemic racism (Sept 6, 2017)
- Pauli Murray: Refusing restrictions of society and law (Oct 11, 2017)
- The Native America of today (Apr 17, 2019)
- While the mask remains, memoir serves as coda for James Cone’s career (Dec 5, 2018)
- New book on Charleston massacre depicts agonizing struggle to move on (Jan 15, 2020)
- Mentors of an American Gandhi (Jan 19, 2019)
- Cuéntame invites relationship in urgent times for US Catholics (Oct 3, 2018)
- Lenny Duncan, Lutheran pastor, calls on Christianity to revolutionize (Nov 20, 2019)
- Race and sovereignty, a story of the body (May 3, 2017)
- A horrific chapter of our nation’s history (Mar 23, 2016)
- A paradoxical faith: Amid deaths without reason, black people see God as Liberator (Oct 14, 2015)
“When we speak of mankind, we must never forget the various attacks on the sacredness of human life… Loving life means always taking care of the other, wanting the best for him, cultivating and respecting her transcendent dignity.” – Pope Francis Address to Meeting of the Science and Life Association
–