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February 3, 2019 – 4Th Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lady of Lourdes

February 3, 2019 – 4Th Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lady of Lourdes

3, 2019 – 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time Our Lady of

5333 EAST WASHINGTON STREET • INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46219 WWW.OLLINDY.ORG

Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Phone: 317-356-7291

School Office Phone: 317-357-3316 Fax: 317-357-0980

Mass Schedule Tues & Thurs 6 p.m. Wed & Fri 8:15 a.m. Sat 5 p.m. Sun 10 a.m.

Parish Staff

Pastor Rev. Rick Ginther [email protected]

Deacon Deacon Tom Horn [email protected]

School Principal Chris Kolakovich [email protected]

Business Manager Amanda Bakemeyer [email protected]

Communications Coordinator Jeff Fleak [email protected]

School Secretary Molly Funk [email protected]

Parish Secretary Sally Welch [email protected]

Music Director Greg Martin [email protected] Pastor’s Corner Custodial Supervisor Anne Woolen [email protected] Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

Director of Religious Education Last week I began with a picture of National Squirrel Appreciation Rachael Vroom Day. I noted after the first paragraph, “If you wonder what we do at the par- [email protected] ish office, now you know.” Parish Nurse Paula Bittelmeyer This past Monday I arrived home late in the afternoon. Stepping into [email protected] the dining room, I stopped dead in my tracks! (Continued page 2)

We, the faith community of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, strive to live, share and be Christ in all we do. SACRAMENTS ..Pastor’s Corner (continued from page 1)

Reconciliation: Saturday 4-4:30 p.m. Sunday, when I left, the Christmas tree You may also call the parish office to arrange for an appointment. left bare, awaiting to be boxed and stored Baptism: 3rd Sunday of the month upon my return. Instead of “bare”, I found during or immediately after 10 a.m. this! Mass, or at another pre-arranged time. I busted up laughing! Christmas season Preparation classes are held quarterly. may be over, but the tree had become a Please call the parish office for February tree! Topped by a large, silver additional information. Marriage: Please contact the pastor at snowflake, decked with pictures of least six months in advance. No St. Bernadette, Our Lady of Lourdes, and wedding dates will be set until a couple Groundhog Day, and aglow with the has met with the pastor. clear-white lights, said tree promises to Communion Calls: Please call the brighten the dreary month of February! parish office to arrange Communion February is my least favorite month. The calls for the home-bound. Anointing of the Sick: If you are most traumatic personal events in my life going to have surgery, or have a have occurred in February. For me, chronic illness and wish to be anointed, February is 84 days long – each day seeming please contact the parish office. If a to last the equivalent of 3! It is cold, bleak, family member is in or admitted to the dark, with little hint of the promise of spring. hospital, please call the parish office at I pray each year to be spared “bad things” in 317-356-7291. February. I look forward to its passing swiftly PARISH SCHOOL after my half-birthday (February 25)! Our Lady of Lourdes offers preschool The February tree – a gift from the staff and kindergarten through 8th grade (again, now you know what they do!) -- I have mentally and spiritual classes. Please call the School Office embraced the tree as a sign of hope, a siren of joy, a beacon of light in for more information at 317-357-3316. the darkness! Soon will be added heart ornaments (Valentine’s day), George Washington and Lincoln ornaments (not unlike the NEW PARISHIONERS cut-outs done as a child in art class every year), and whatever other Welcome to our Parish Family! “feel good” moment can be captured in the decking of the February tree! To register or to schedule a tour of If you have any ideas about other ornaments, let me know! Who Our Lady of Lourdes, please call or knows, the February tree may become draped with so many joyful and stop by the parish office located in the uplifting reminders that the month will speed along! rectory. Father Rick

PRAY THE WITH US

Tuesday & Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, following 8:15 a.m. Mass Friday, before 8:15 a.m. Mass

The Call to Address Racism in Our Hearts and Communities Inserted in this weekend's bulletin is a flyer which gives an abbreviated explana- tion of a document on racism directed to American Catholics. In November of 2018, the 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." At usccb.org/racism you can read the entire letter, get new resources and find ideas for how we can respond. The letter has recently been released in book form which can be obtained online, on the USCCB website for about $7. It may be available on other book sites as well. But, as mentioned above, it can be downloaded as a .pdf from the website stated. Giving Made Simpler: Scan this QR code to sign up Substitute Teachers Needed Our Lady of Lourdes School is seeking for OLL online giving or make Substitute Teachers for the current school year. A license is not required, but you must be certified through Safe & Sacred. Interested candidates should contact the changes to your current online school office or email Principal Chris Kolakovich at [email protected] giving account. Thank you so much for your interest and willingness to help. Men’s Lenten Prayer Group starting on February 19 Knights of Columbus Are you looking to experience God’s presence and power? Are you open to letting the Our Lady of Fatima Council, Spirit transform you and bring you freedom? If so, join a Lenten Prayer Group that will Fatima Event Center, 1040 N. Post Rd. meet for 8 consecutive weeks on Tuesday mornings starting on Feb 19, from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. at the Fatima Event Center, 1040 N. Post Rd. Doors open at 6:15 a.m. Our Fatima Family Brunch Buffet study is based on the Wild Goose video series on FORMED and will help men experi- ALL are WELCOME! ence a deeper relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit, and in so doing lead Sunday, February 3, 8:30 a.m. to Noon men to a place of mercy, healing, peace, and presence with God. On Feb 19, we’ll ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT! view Segment 1 of the Wild Goose series, Discovering a Deeper Relationship with the Note: Adults: $8,Children 4-12: $4, Holy Spirit. After the video we’ll break into smaller groups with a table leader posing Children 3 & under: Free questions for reflection and leading a shared prayer with a hard stop at 7:30 a.m., so you can get to work or go about your day. All Catholic men from the East deanery are invited to attend as your schedule permits. We are asking for a one-time goodwill $10 Do you know? donation to cover coffee, snacks, printing, and facility costs. This series of meetings is sponsored by the Holy Spirit Church Men's Ministry Group and the K of C Our Lady of "To live, we must daily break Fatima Council. Please let the Holy Spirit make a positive difference in your life by the body and shed the blood of joining other men in fellowship and prayer during this Lenten season. Contact Bill creation. When we do it McLaughlin, 317-748-2800, by phone or text with questions or to sign-up in advance with name, telephone #, and email address. knowingly, lovingly, skillfully, reverently, it is sacrament. When we do it ignorantly, Birthline Baby Shower greedily, destructively, it is Birthline provides layettes for babies. desecration." During February, donations of new or Wendell Berry, gently-used baby clothes up to size 2, Kentucky farmer and essayist disposable diapers, ointments, in Christian Simplicity, A Value blankets, books, etc., will be appreciated. Items should be placed in the bassinet by the northwest church door. Yarn can be available if a person SUPPORT OUR TROOPS wishes to knit or crochet afghans or baby hats. Contact Rosemary Tudor, 317-353-1883, for additional information. 1st Sgt John Beasley, Staff Sgt Thomas Cadick, CWO5 D. Eble, Lt William Keyes, Carrie Newcomer Appearing at the Irving Theater MSGT Justin Z. Morgan, Contemporary Folk Songwriter Carrie Newcomer will perform in Irvington, Capt Scott Godby, SrA Daniel Willett, Ssgt James Willett, A1C Brian Willett, Friday, February 15, at The Irving Theater. Tickets are $20 at Sgt Travis Beasley, www.attheirving.com, (then scroll down to Feb. 15), or at Brown Paper Tickets: PFC R. Bakemeyer, https://m.bpt.me/event/4032771, or via event sponsor Julie Mundell: Sgt Nicholas Eble, [email protected] Proceeds will go to Project Lia, a 501(c)3 Ensign B. Kennedy, USN, training program for formerly incarcerated women, where discarded material is Ensign John S. Kennedy, MC, USNR repurposed into one-of-a-kind home/office furnishings. www.projectlia.org Prayer Vine PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS To add someone’s name to the Prayer Sam Ajame, Emilia Atkinson, Paula Bittelmeyer, Mr. Bollahan, Erna Bornhauser, Michael Bray, Lucy Vine, please contact Bross, Dick, Kathy & Michele Burgess, Tracy Calkins, Helen Chalupa, Will Christiansen, Laura Hughes at Deborah Clayton, Kate Cline, John Creasey, John Davis, Lorentz Davis, Debby Eha, Jim Eifert, Mona Eitel, Norma Faye, Robert Fulton, Tom Garrard, Garten, Erick Gedek, Sherri Green, Ben Hall, [email protected] Chris Hendrickson, Kathy Hendrickson, Leroy Hendrickson, Bob Hermann, Isabelle Hofmeister, Delphine Holota, Brian Houppert, Michael James, Katie Jones, Kathy Kidwell, Randy Kidwell, BULLETIN DEADLINE Peggy Kloenne, Robert Leising, Paul Linne, Liam Lykins, Marilyn May, Jerry MacKenzie, Please send your entries by NOON on Rene´ MacKenzie, Gloria Matthews, Dick Mayer, Becky Nelson, Elfrieda Nordsiek, Peggy Osterman, Tuesdays to ensure your article will appear in Mary Riordan, Patty Rogers, Rhonda Roseman, Mary Anne Roseman, Nicholas Stockman, Teresa Sullivan, Kurt Suppiger, Arianna Williams, Mary Williams, Sherry Williams, Pam Yohler that week’s printing. If you have flyers to be inserted into the bulletin, please bring them to the parish office by 4 p.m. Thursday evening. Religious Education News: THANK YOU! February 3, 11 a.m., Bernadette Hall -- Confirmation class. COMMUNION CALLS Lesson 17, "Holy Orders" and Lesson 18, "Prayer." If you know

February 6, 7 p.m., Bernadette Hall someone who would like to receive -- RCIA viewing Catholicism episode, "The Indispensable Men: Peter, Holy Communion at Paul and the Missionary Adventure." All are welcome to attend. home, please call February 10, 6:30 p.m., Bernadette Hall—- EDGE youth ministry. the parish office at 317-356-7291.

SCHOOL NEWS

Dear OLL Families,

What a great Catholic Schools Week we had! We dressed in fun outfits, danced at a sock hop, met with a real life author, Sunday, February 3...... 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time and even ate ice cream sundaes. In addition, we participated 10:00 am Pro Populo in community service by collecting goods for the Julian Center Tuesday, February 5.………………...St. Agatha, & Martyr and joined with our Mass buddies to send cards to veterans. 5:30 pm Rosary Before Mass Our Middle School Students participated in the East Deanery 6:00 pm †Bob Dinn Req. by The Turner Family Band festival and performed a great concert with other eastside Catholic schools. And of course, what fun we had as Wednesday, February 6……….…...St. Paul Miki & Companions th 8:15 am †Mike Wagner Req. by Helen Ruhl a staff competing against our 8 grade students in the annual 8:45 am Rosary After Mass volleyball game. At Our Lady of Lourdes School, we truly are a community that learns, serves, leads, and succeeds, and it has Thursday, February 7…………………………….....……..Weekday been rewarding to celebrate our Catholic school values this 5:30 pm Rosary Before Mass week. 6:00 pm †Jack Hutt Req. by Bill Bakemeyer

Thank you to all the staff and parent volunteers who Friday, February 8…...St. Emiliani / St. Josephine Bakhita worked so hard to make our Open House a success on Sun- 8:15 am †Juanita McNulty Req. by Phil & Colleen Kenney day. We had both prospective families and established parish- 8:45 am Rosary After Mass ioners come and visit the school, and they all left with a very Saturday, February 9……...... ….5th Sunday in Ordinary Time positive impression of our community. If you know any families 5:00 pm † Beck, Jr. Req. by The O’Brien Family who are still looking for a school next year, please encourage them to call the school office and schedule a tour. Registration Sunday, February 10...... 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time is now open for new and current families. If you are a current 10:00 am Pro Populo family, please do not hesitate to return your registration form and fee. The fee doubles after March 1. Also, some of our grade levels are full or close to being full, and you will want to guarantee your spot by registering before March 1. It also is a great help to the office and administration as we make plans for the future. Saturday, February 9, 5 p.m.

Congratulations to our Robotics Team for their participation EMs: Cathy Kervan, Jan O’Brien, Amy Petrone, in the meet last Saturday. I enjoyed watching our team mem- ______, ______, Brian Hall bers navigate their way through this year’s challenge course. Usher: Don Flick, Lisa Flick, Greg Milam, Nick Petrone Our Robotics Club is younger than many of the other teams, Lector: Larry Turner (A), Paige Kervan (B) but we continue to improve with each outing. Any student who likes to build and create and/or has an interest in coding is en- Sacristan: ______couraged to check out Robotics. Servers: Meg Leising, Mayanna Navarra, Kaitlyn Sullivan

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @OLLIndy Cantor: Dan Willett

Sincerely, Sunday, February 10, 10 a.m.

Chris Kolakovich EMs: Chris Houppert, Sue Wilson, Theresa Brickens, Principal Kirk Forster, Lilly Forster, Amy Duke, Angie Therber, Paula Schenkenfelder

Usher: Vic Berlage, Bob Eha, Mike Guinan, ______Come and See the Sisters of Providence Lector: Sylvia Zimmerman (A), Lucy Miller (B) Where is God calling you? Are you a single, Catholic woman between the ages Sacristan: Aimee Sprong of 18 & 42? The Sisters of Providence of Servers: Addison Bakemeyer, Henry Carey, Wilson

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, invite Cantor: Matt Cannaday you to Mary-of-the-Woods for a Choir: Adult Choir Come and See Retreat. The retreat begins at 7 p.m., April 12, and concludes Small Linens at 2 p.m., April 14. Explore where God is Sacristan: Tammy Buennagel calling you. Learn what life is like as a Sister of Providence. Meet the newest sisters in the Congregation. Get to know READINGS FOR THE WEEK: FEBRUARY 3, 2019 more about foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, and spend time in prayer and reflection. Register online at Sunday: Jer 1:4-5,17-19; 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; ComeandSee.SistersofProvidence.org or contact Sister Lk 4:21-31 Editha Ben at 812-230-4771 or [email protected] Monday: Heb 11:32-40; Mk 5:1-20

Celebrate #99 with Helen Flanary Tuesday: Heb 12:1-4; Mk 5:21-43

All are invited to Helen Flanary’s 99th Wednesday: Heb 12:4-7,11-15; Mk 6:1-6 Birthday celebration, which will be Friday, February 8, from 1-3 p.m. at Thursday: Heb 12:18-19,21-24; Mk 6:7-13

St. Paul’s Hermitage, 501 N 17th Ave, Friday: Heb 13:1-8; Mk 6:14-29 Beech Grove, IN 46107. Please RSVP to Kathy McCoy 317-902-9105. Saturday: Heb 13:15-17,20-21; Mk 6:30-34 CALENDAR CBE Welcomes Emmy-winning Reporter Rafael Sanchez, an investigative reporter and anchor at WRTV-6-ABC, will Sunday, February 3 speak at the February Catholic Business Exchange. The title of his talk is: 8:30 am Sunday Religious Ed BH 10:00 am Mass Church Faith in a 24-Hour News Cycle. The event is Friday morning, February 10:00 am Nursery Care (During Mass) School 15, at the North Side Knights of Columbus. Mass starts at 7 a.m. and the 11:00 am Confirmation Class BH-S program will be finished by 9 a.m. Cost for the program includes a great 11:00 am Leadership Meeting BH-N breakfast and is $15 in advance for members and $21 for non-members.

Monday, February 4 Registration is required. To register, pay online and for more information, 3:00 pm Archery Cafeteria visit www.catholicbusinessexchange.org 3:00 pm Bricks 4 Kidz Room 14 7:00 pm Cub Scout Committee Mtg BH-S 7:00 pm Girl Scout Svc Unit Mtg BH-N United Catholic Appeal Progress to Date: 7:30 pm Folk Rehearsal Church Our Archdiocesan Goal Tuesday, February 5 OUR PARISH PROGRESS 3:00 pm Cub Scouts Den 4 Room 13 6:00 pm Mass Chapel Parish Goal $35,098 7:00 pm Boy Scouts Troop #8 Cafeteria 7:00 pm Liturgy Committee Mtg BH Amount Pledged $29,565 Wednesday, February 6 8:15 am Mass Chapel Total $ Received $13,593 5:30 pm Girl Scouts #875 Cafeteria 7:00 pm RCIA BH % of Goal Received 84%

Thursday, February 7 Parish Households 644 3:00 pm Archery Cafeteria 6:00 pm Mass Chapel # of Pledges 119 7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal Church Parish Participation 18% Friday, February 8 – School Mid-Term 8:15 am Mass Church

Saturday, February 9 - CYO Music Contest (all day) 5:00 pm Mass Church

Sunday, February 10-FESTIVAL of PRAYER BEGINS 8:30 am Sunday Religious Ed BH 10:00 am Mass Church 10:00 am Nursery Care (During Mass) School After Mass Girl Scout Thinking Day with Coffee & Donuts Cafeteria 11:30 am Parish Council Rectory Dining Rm 6:30 pm EDGE BH

The Lourdes Word Is Coming Up Please submit your articles on “Vocations” by Feb.15. Please contact Mark Hudson with any questions: [email protected] IN GRATITUDE WE SHARE

January 27, 2019

Actual...... $ 7,038.00 Online Giving…………………. 1,583.50 Budgeted...... 10,800.00 Difference +/(-)...... $ (2,178.50)

YTD Sunday & Holy Day Actual...... $ 299,654.56 Budgeted...... 334,800.00 Difference +/(-)…...... $ (35,145.44)

Endowment Fund……...…….. $ 182.00 St. Vincent de Paul………….. $ 709.00 Propagation of the Faith……... $ 573.15

Feb. 10: Collection for the Church in Latin America Sunday February 10 thru Sunday February 17, 2019 Fr. Rick, the Parish Council, and members of the Spiritual Journey Committee invite 5th Annual you to the 5th Annual Festival of Prayer, instituted by our late pastor Fr. Noah Casey in 2015, to honor Our Lady of Lourdes Festival of Prayer and St. Bernadette. All events are open to parishioners, school families, community and Our Lady of Lourdes guests. All are free of charge.

Eight days of Meditation, Prayer, Music, and fellowship. All are welcome!

Celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 10 a.m. Rosary, 5:30 p.m. | Mass and Special Blessing, 6 p.m. Sunday, February 10 Thursday, February 14

Join us for 10 a.m. Mass with the Adult Choir St. Valentine encouraged couples to marry in and stay for coffee and donuts in the school the Christian faith and to be faithful to one cafeteria. Our parish Girl Scout troops will be another. Come celebrate Mass at 6 p.m. with presenting World Thinking Day activities and your loved ones this Valentine Day, followed projects with global themes in recognition of by a special blessing for married couples the worldwide movement of Girl Scouts. and those contemplating marriage. Rosary recitation begins at 5:30 p.m..

Annointing of the Sick, 6 p.m. | Adoration | Benediction Rosary, 7:30 a.m. | Mass, 8:15 a.m. | Living Rosary, 1:45 Monday, Friday, February 15

Anointing of the Sick will be offered at 6 p.m. Join us for recitation of the Rosary at 7:30 for anyone who suffers from serious mental a.m. and Mass at 8:15 a.m. along with the or physical illness, those facing surgery or school children. Beginning at 1:45 p.m. in other serious treatments, and those suffering Hall, we are invited to join the Our loss due to aging. An Hour of Adoration Lady of Lourdes school children who will before the Blessed Sacrament will follow, lead us in song and prayer as they form a ending with Benediction at 7:30 p.m. living Rosary.

Rosary, 5:30 p.m. | Mass, 6 p.m. | Concert, 7 p.m. Mass and Special St. Bernadette Prayer Card, 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 12 Saturday, February 16

Recitation of the Rosary begins at 5:30. Mass Father Noah encouraged us to carry the follows at 6 p.m. At 7 p.m., the OLL music blessings of the Festival of Prayer into ministry presents an evening of music rooted the rest of the year with renewed joy and in the blessings of children (Psalm 127), with attentiveness to spiritual growth. Join us piano offerings by Robert Schumann and for 5 p.m. Mass and receive a prayer card to John Ireland as well as a new Mass setting by assist in your devotion to our beloved St. Gregory Martin (piano), featuring renowned . We ask her help in vocalists Kathleen Hacker, Mitzi Westra, growing ever closer to God. Edward Atkinson, and Daniel Narducci.

Mass and Rosary for Peace, 8:15 a.m. Celebration of French Feast of St. Bernadette, 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 13 Sunday, February 17

Our Lady encouraged Bernadette to pray Come for the 10 a.m. Mass with the Folk the Rosary when she appeared to her at Group celebrating St. Bernadette’s Feast Lourdes in 1858. You are invited to attend Day, and continue our celebration with Feast Mass at 8:15 a.m. A special Rosary for Peace and Faith in Bernadette Hall at 11:30 a.m. A will be offered following Mass. delicious lunch will be served followed by a presentation on Jewish Spirituality.

5333 E. Washington Street, Indianapo lis, IN 4 6219 | (317) 356-7291 | parishsecretary@o llindy.org | o llindy.org

The Call to Address Racism in Our Hearts and Communities

In their new pastoral letter against racism, can only end if we contend with the policies Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call and institutional barriers that perpetuate to Love, the Catholic bishops of the United and preserve the inequality—economic and States invite conversion of hearts, minds, social—that we still see all around us.” and institutions in order to address the evil of racism that still exists in our communities. “We read the headlines that report the killing of unarmed African Americans by law enforcement By our baptism, we are members of Christ’s officials. In our prisons, the numbers of inmates body and sharers in his mission. Imitating of color, notably those who are brown and black, Christ, we must care for all members of our is grossly disproportionate. Despite the great communities, honoring each person as blessings of liberty that this country offers, we unique, sacred, and created in the image of must admit the plan truth that for many of our God. We know that the evil of racism cuts to the core of God’s plan for humanity, fellow citizens, who have done nothing wrong, devaluing the diversity God created within interactions with the police are often fraught the human family. As followers of Christ, we with fear and even danger.” seek to reclaim the God-given sanctity of – U.S. bishops, Open Wide Our Hearts each person’s inviolable human dignity. The bishops remind us, “The command of love requires us to make room for others in our Within the walls of the Church, many people hearts. It means that we are indeed our of color have experienced discrimination brother’s keeper (see Gn 4:9).” and outright racism. Leadership has been lacking. The bishops write, “All too often, Some among us may want to believe that leaders of the Church have remained silent our country has moved beyond the reality of about the horrific violence and other racial racism that has so profoundly stained its injustices perpetuated against African past, or that racism does not involve us. Americans and others.” Reflecting on these Almost every day, news headlines realities, the bishops implore us to find ways demonstrate that our country’s “original to actively work against the evil of racism. sin” of racism continues to impact the lives We must seek racial justice within our of many Americans, many of them Church and in our country. Let us all allow Catholic—particularly those who belong to the Holy Spirit to convert our hearts to do the African American, Hispanic/Latino, or the work of healing, so we may live Native American communities. authentically in true relationship to one There are signs that racism’s legacies another. Let the fruit of this conversion be remain prevalent in many systemic evident in our full celebration and inequalities that have deep impact on integration of ethnic and cultural diversity, people of color. The bishops write, “Racism which is truly a gift from God.

How Can I Respond?

(1) Listen to and know the stories of our brothers and sisters who have suffered from racism in history, and in the present. True and authentic encounter is difficult but worth the effort. Authentic relationships require vulnerability, humility, and getting outside of your comfort zones. For some, this will mean actively seeking opportunities to engage with people of diverse backgrounds. For others, this might mean raising your voice or sharing your story. Through authentic engagement we bring together diverse perspectives and experiences which honor the fullness of God’s plan.

(2) Work to address both individual and systemic racism. Racism can be individual, when persons fail to recognize certain groups as created in the image of God and equal in dignity, or it can be systemic, where practices or policies are upheld that treat certain groups of people unjustly. These systems are often perpetuated due to the silence or unawareness of many. Commit to learning more about racism and employment, housing, wealth, education, criminal justice, and voting—and then get involved in diocesan, parish or community efforts to pray and work for conversion of both hearts and systems.

(3) Think about what you can do, wherever you are. Commit to raising your awareness in whatever situations you find yourself. a. As people of faith, we can intentionally work to create spaces of welcome and opportunities for encounter. Create opportunities for sharing of stories and learn how racism impacts our communities. Regularly think about whose voices may be missing as leaders and volunteers in parish ministry. In parishes and schools, educators can use activities from usccb.org/racism to integrate content on the pastoral letter into their lessons. b. In your family, think about who you socialize with on a regular basis. Intentionally create opportunities to interact with those you may not run into over the normal course of your week. Where in your community do you see diverse groups of people come together? Parents: talk with your children about race. Continuing to talk with them about everyone’s human dignity and the pain of racism in our country will help form them to respect the dignity of all. Find prayers for children at usccb.org/racism. c. At school or work, ask: How you can learn more about other cultures? What resources are available to you? If there are others who are treated differently because of their race, speak up. Think about what you might do if you hear someone make disparaging remarks about a classmate or coworker. How can you be ready to respond?

(4) As individuals and communities of faith, examine your conscience. We all must ask ourselves: Where have I not lived as an example of Christ’s love? Where have my attitudes or perceptions caused me to devalue persons of other cultures or ethnicities? When have I been unnecessarily suspicious or allowed a preconceived notion to overshadow the human nature of another? When have I seen the “other” instead of welcoming an opportunity to listen to the story of that person’s life, struggles, or joys? For More Information Read the new pastoral letter, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love and then talk with others about how your community can respond to the bishops’ invitation in the pastoral letter. USCCB resources against racism are at usccb.org/racism.

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.

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