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 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.

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

International Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
January 18 – 25, 2016

Promising Practices for February

James Baldwin, 1924-1987
In Hyde Park, London, 1969 by Allen Warren

Reach out to invite members of the Black Community to a Black History Month liturgy in celebration of life.

Reach out to members of the Black Community and form an adult education/discussion group to read Notes of a Native Son by James Baldwin.

Reach out to work with area churches, synagogues, and mosques to plan a forum on anti-racism for high school youth.

Reach out to gather family and friends together to pray the Black Catholic History Rosary.

Promising Practices for July

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.

Promising Practices for June

JESUS MAFA. Jesus as a child in Nazareth, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN [retrieved June 14, 2015].

Reach out to fathers in the Black Community to create a support network for parenting.

Reach out to children of the Black Community to participate in the summer vacation Bible school.

Reach out to the wider community to take part in the Fortnight for Freedom: Freedom to Bear Witness, a commitment to remain faithful to the teaching of Jesus in the face of persecution by political power.

Reach out to work with area churches to recruit volunteers to visit prisoners.