Promising Practices for December

Reach out to members of the community to organize a remembrance for World AIDS Day and for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Reach out to invite the Black Community to pray with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Advent Calendar.

Reach out to  area churches, synagogues, and mosques to pray for the abolition of slavery.

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a special Kwanzaa celebration.

 

 

 

Promising Practices for November

Reach out to organize an event to help end hunger and homelessness.

Reach out to the Black Community to create an ongoing practice of gratitude.

Reach out to work with area churches, synagogues, and mosques to organize a holiday food drive.

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a special Welcome celebration for Advent.

 

 

 

September 9: Day of Prayer for Racial Healing

In the wake of racial tensions and tragic moments within some of our communities, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, President of the USCCB, has called for a National Day of Prayer on September 9th, the feast of St. Peter Claver. He hopes that this will be one way to “nurture open, honest and civil dialogue in our communities struggling with violence in many forms.”

The Day of Prayer on September 9th is a perfect time to plan a gathering for prayer which might serve as a foundation for future dialogue and healing within our communities.

Promising Practices for August

Reach out to work with area churches to plan a prayer vigil/day of prayer for an end of violence in our community, our nation, and our world.

Reach out to the Black Community to create a discussion group that focuses on Brothers and Sisters to Us, the United States Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism.

Reach out to collaborate with area churches, mosques, and synagogues to sponsor a workshop for teens and pre-teens on how to develop solutions to bullying.

 

Promising Practices for July

Reach out to gather members of the community together to attend the African National Eucharistic Congress August 5-7, 2016.

Reach out to members of the community to create a study group for Pope Francis’ Amoris Laetitia. “The same mercy and patience that are essential for building a strong family must be shown to those whose families are in trouble or have broken up.”

Reach out to invite members of the community to take the St. Francis Pledge in support of caring for God’s creation.

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a prayer vigil/day of prayer for African Americans imprisoned and on Death Row.

Reach out to create a study group to discuss ways and means to help end human trafficking.

Embodied solidarity

The Parliament of the World’s Religions cultivates harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities. Celebrating Ramadan, the month-long holy season of Islam, with our Muslim neighbors and honoring their traditions is a concrete way to cultivate such harmony. The traditions practiced by Muslims during Ramadan hold applications and lessons for people of all faiths.

Ramadan begins June 6.

The Parliament of the World’s Religions suggests these ways for you to show solidarity with your Muslim neighbors:

 

 

Promising Practices for May

JESUS MAFA. Pentecost, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. [retrieved May 17, 2015].

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a special Come, Spirit, Come celebration for Pentecost. Celebrate the gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Fortitude, Good Counsel, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

Reach out to members of the Black Community to ask for input for a summer vacation Bible school program for the community.

Reach out to the Black community to pray for the success of the African National Eucharistic Conference. Encourage your pastoral leaders to attend the conference.

 

 

Promising Practices for April

JESUS MAFA. Easter – Christ appears to Mary, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN.[retrieved April 3, 2016].

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a Scripture study about peace in the Gospels.

Reach out on Earth Day to create a group to study Pope Francis’ Encyclical on care for our common home: Mother Earth.

Reach out to alcohol and drug addicts in the Black Community by welcoming various support groups to your parish community.

Reach out to your community to open a discussion on the importance of religious liberty.

 

Promising Practices for March

Odette and Olga, Rwanda

Reach out to the poor in Africa by joining the CRS Rice Bowl initiative.

Reach out to serve simple Lenten meals to the poor in your community.

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a special Welcome Home celebration for Easter.

 

 

Lenten Journey Toward Racial Justice

“Racial injustice is a gospel issue.” Sign Up for the “Lift Every Voice” Lenten Reflection Blog