UAC Retreat
Published on Sep 25, 2020
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Process
- Lament (heart)
- Solidarity & compassion (mind)
- Conversion & Action (will)
Lament is the appropriate liturgical and ecclesial response to the reality of pain and suffering in the world. As the church, we recognize those who grieve and respond along with those who grieve. Lament is the first step of truth telling in the ongoing process of healing and reconciliation.
Photo by Steinar Engeland
Our Lady of Sorrows
Seven sorrows of Mary
The Church dedicates the month of September to Our Lady of Sorrows. This devotion recalls the Blessed Virgin Mary’s spiritual martyrdom in virtue of her perfect union with the Passion of Christ. This was her role in salvation history, and what merited her place as the spiritual Mother of all Christians. This is symbolized by a single sword, or seven swords, piercing Mary's suffering heart, as foretold in Simeon's prophecy. Traditionally the Church meditates on the "Seven Sorrows" of our Blessed Mother: the prophecy of Simeon; the Holy Family's flight into Egypt; the loss of the Child Jesus for three days; the meeting of Mary and Jesus as he carried his cross; Jesus' crucifixion and death; Jesus' sacred body taken down from the cross; and Jesus' burial. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is September 15th.
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Luke 2:33-35
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradictedl
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
As we begin our day reflecting on race, our faith and what we are called to do as individuals and as a Church, I invite us to reflect on the sorrows of many mothers that have been in the news, as well as those we have not heard about.
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was said about him;
and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradictedl
(and you yourself a sword will pierce)* so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
As we begin our day reflecting on race, our faith and what we are called to do as individuals and as a Church, I invite us to reflect on the sorrows of many mothers that have been in the news, as well as those we have not heard about.
Photo by fortherock
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We think of George Flloyd's last words as he called out to his Mama...think about how you felt as you saw that video playing over and over and over again...if you feel comfortable doing so share in the chat how you felt as you watched the video (make word cloud during reflection)
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As Christians called to be in solidarity with our brothers and sisters, we are tasked with looking where it's difficult to look and to listen when it's difficult to listen; to help gain a deeper understanding, to be able to accompany those struggling to retain their God given dignity.
The physical face of the Lord is pictured with infinite variety by countless imaginations, though whatever it was like, he certainly had only one. Nor, as regards the faith we have in the Lord Jesus Christ, is it in the least relevant to salvation what our imaginations picture him like, which is probably quite different from the reality. (The Trinity, pages 246–247)
Even Saint Augustine, in AD 400, urged people to value diversity in how we imagine Jesus’ appearance:
Augustine teaches us that what matters most is that we identify with Jesus as human.
Why would that matter? We have heard the phrase "History is written by the winners"; in the same way, our faith maintains in many ways a white Eurocentric perspective...but if we think about where Jesus and Mary lived, they certainly did not look like they are most often pictured...and if we are a person of color, and all we see are these white washed images of Jesus and Mary, it reinforces the sense of otherness...but sometimes those of us in the dominant culture, i.e white, get uncomfortable with images depicting Jesus and Mary otherwise. I invite you now as part of our prayer, to reflect on the following images and gauge your own reaction, your own comfort level...
Augustine teaches us that what matters most is that we identify with Jesus as human.
Why would that matter? We have heard the phrase "History is written by the winners"; in the same way, our faith maintains in many ways a white Eurocentric perspective...but if we think about where Jesus and Mary lived, they certainly did not look like they are most often pictured...and if we are a person of color, and all we see are these white washed images of Jesus and Mary, it reinforces the sense of otherness...but sometimes those of us in the dominant culture, i.e white, get uncomfortable with images depicting Jesus and Mary otherwise. I invite you now as part of our prayer, to reflect on the following images and gauge your own reaction, your own comfort level...
Photo by Scott Rodgerson
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What was a personal interaction you had recently with someone who was of a different race?
In groups of 3-4
As you told your story in the first session, do you remember making any assumptions about the person you encountered, or if not when it happened, at least as you reflected on it now?
“As you told your story in the first session, do you remember making any assumptions about the person you encountered, or if not when it happened, at least as you reflected on it now?”
New group of 3-4
New group of 3-4
But I'm not racist...I don't even see color!
“I am color-blind. I see people, not color. We are all the same.”
Sounds appealing; however, the problem is not race—it is racism.
Race is as much a part of a person’s identity as gender, age, and family ties. If a person claims to be color-blind, they will not see the whole person.
Think about it this way: Do your parents treat all your siblings the same? Do you all wear the same clothes, play the same sports, read the same books? Of course not, because you are individuals with different experiences and interests.
The problem with equating color blindness with justice is that equal is not always fair.
Sounds appealing; however, the problem is not race—it is racism.
Race is as much a part of a person’s identity as gender, age, and family ties. If a person claims to be color-blind, they will not see the whole person.
Think about it this way: Do your parents treat all your siblings the same? Do you all wear the same clothes, play the same sports, read the same books? Of course not, because you are individuals with different experiences and interests.
The problem with equating color blindness with justice is that equal is not always fair.
Photo by Dean Hochman
Why color-blind = ineffective
- Problem is racism (not race)
- Misses the whole person
- Keeps us from understanding history
- Equates diversity with negativity
- Prevents ability to track injustice
- Not same experiences
Here is a summary of why color blindness is an ineffective path for us to take:
1. Color blindness invalidates a person of color’s full identity.
2. Color blindness is an ideology that denies the injustices of racism.
3. Color blindness keeps white people from fully understanding the history of racism that has harmed generations.
4. Color blindness equates diversity of color with negativity.
5. Color blindness prevents the ability to track injustices caused by racism that continue to perpetuate advantages for whites and disadvantages for people of color that divide society.
6. Color blindness robs people of their individuality by wrongly assuming everyone has the same experience.
7. Color blindness suppresses stories of oppression and ignores the different experiences people of color face when they are repeatedly denied housing, loans, educational opportunities, and public safety.
1. Color blindness invalidates a person of color’s full identity.
2. Color blindness is an ideology that denies the injustices of racism.
3. Color blindness keeps white people from fully understanding the history of racism that has harmed generations.
4. Color blindness equates diversity of color with negativity.
5. Color blindness prevents the ability to track injustices caused by racism that continue to perpetuate advantages for whites and disadvantages for people of color that divide society.
6. Color blindness robs people of their individuality by wrongly assuming everyone has the same experience.
7. Color blindness suppresses stories of oppression and ignores the different experiences people of color face when they are repeatedly denied housing, loans, educational opportunities, and public safety.
Photo by Greyson Joralemon
Unity does not imply uniformity; it does not necessarily mean doing everything together or thinking in the same way. Nor does it signify a loss of identity. Unity in diversity is actually the opposite: it involves the joyful recognition and acceptance of the various gifts which the Holy Spirit gives to each one and the placing of these gifts at the service of all members of the Church.
. It means knowing how to listen, to accept differences, and having the freedom to think differently and express oneself with complete respect towards the other who is my brother or sister. Do not be afraid of differences! (Pope Francis, Address to Members of the Catholic Fraternity of the Charismatic Covenant Communities and Fellowship, Oct. 31, 2014)
White privilege
How am I privileged?
How am I privileged…I was not born into a wealthy family, my success is my own, I dealt with oppression and struggles
Advantages are often a good thing. But sometimes taking advantage of something can be a negative.
We all want to be rewarded for our skills and merits. So is an advantage actually an advantage if you aren’t aware of it?
Perhaps the more important question is, “Are others disadvantaged because of my unearned advantages?”
Advantages are often a good thing. But sometimes taking advantage of something can be a negative.
We all want to be rewarded for our skills and merits. So is an advantage actually an advantage if you aren’t aware of it?
Perhaps the more important question is, “Are others disadvantaged because of my unearned advantages?”
Photo by Editor B
“Are others disadvantaged because of my unearned advantages?”
Watch video
How do we experience privilege?
After video, in small groups, discuss in big and small ways you or someone might experience privilege...
reflect on their own areas of white privilege, how this influenced their attitudes, actions and ways of ministering.
reflect on their own areas of white privilege, how this influenced their attitudes, actions and ways of ministering.
Photo by chalkahlom
Welcome Back!
Photo by Susanna Valkeinen
Implicit bias
- How did you do?
- What was your reaction?
- How are you called to action?
Photo by Tim Dennell
What next?
Photo by Olesya Grichina
Racism is of human making. It is neither inevitable nor inexorable. Human beings created it; human beings maintain it; therefore, human beings can eliminate it. . . . I remind myself that in working for racial justice, I—and many others before, with, and after me—am doing the work of God. And when one does the work of God, ultimately one cannot fail, for while human beings can hinder and delay its arrival, they cannot definitively block the coming of the reign of God. (Fr. Bryan Massingale, “The Hidden Faces of Racism”)
“Solidarity entails a constant effort to build a human community where every social group participates equitably in social life and contributes its genius for the good of all.” (Fr. Bryan Massingale, Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, p. 117)
What could I do to foster greater solidarity among those of different races in the parish and community?
Small group of 3-4
Some ideas...for the parish
- Inviting a Black pastor to preach at the Masses and answer questions afterwards, an outdoor social to which a local Black congregation be invited to attend, offering videos and other materials for online reading, a monthly speaker series with small group discussions, new banners and decorations in the church. Parishioners would also be given suggestions about how to talk with family and friends regarding racial issues. These plans all pointed to a parish more open and accepting of all, no matter the person’s culture or background.
- Invite a Black pastor to preach at the Masses and answer questions afterwards
- outdoor social to which a local Black congregation be invited to attend
- offer videos and other materials for online reading
- monthly speaker series with small group discussions
- new banners and decorations in the church
- Give suggestions about how to talk with family and friends regarding racial issues
Ideas for self
- Read and reflect on Church documents about racial justice (see list) ● Read and reflect on Scripture that clarifies the Christian call to justice (see recommended selections ) ● Read and reflect on the writings of people of color about faith, life, history and society (see recommended reads ) ● Find, or create ways to share what you learn
More ideas
- Put yourself in proximity to others. Find places to go, regularly, that are diverse:
For kids/grandkids
- If parent/grandparent, put your kids in proximity to diverse people
- Create opportunities for children from diverse backgrounds to learn, pray, and serve together
- Read books on diversity with children
- See https://www.rebekahgienapp.com/ for strategies and tips
We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate --- thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising. - Maya Angelou
Photo by York College ISLGP
The measure of our compassion lies not in our service to those on the margins, but in our willingness to see ourselves in kinship with them. - Gregory Boyle, S.J.
Photo by Juliana Coutinho
