Antiracism Task Force
We leverage Catholic social justice teachings and Ignatian spirituality practices to facilitate parishioners’ discernment of how they are being called by God to act in this space – to ultimately transition from “not racist” to antiracist “contemplatives in action” in the process.
The Task Force also performs similar activities against racism-adjacent issues – such as antisemitism, Islamophobia, nativism, and homophobia – to help facilitate parishioner efforts to counter all forms of hate.
Goals of the St. Ignatius Antiracism Awareness Task Force for 2022 include:
- Consistently provide antiracist events and/or resources to parishioners to support continual discernment, as well as facilitating opportunities for parishioners to act upon their self-reflection;
- Develop and maintain relationships between St. Ignatius and Black Catholic communities in Baltimore – to include actively and meaningfully supporting Black Catholic-led/focused projects in the city; and
- Initiate similar activities tailored to increasing parishioner awareness and personal discernment of how to counter other forms of hate – such antisemitism, Islamophobia, nativism, and homophobia.
Meetings
TBD
- TBD
Currently, there are no Black American saints. Representation matters!
The Antiracism Task Force fully supports the cause of the Pastorate of Histotic St. Francis Xavier, St. Ann, and St. Wenceslaus’ campaign for the canonization of six African American candidates for sainthood.
You can learn more about their campaign, and sign a change.org petition, with the following resources. If you would like a digital version of the letter to print and physically sign yourself, feel free to reach out to the Task Force for a copy!
Support The Canonization Of The Six African American Candidates for Sainthood!
These women may become the first African-American Catholic saints
Prayer for Beatification of Mother Mary Lange
Almighty and Eternal God, You granted Mother Lange extraordinary trust in Your providence. You endowed her with humility, courage, holiness and an extraordinary sense of service to the poor and the sick. You enabled her to found the Oblate Sisters of Providence and provided educational, social and spiritual ministry, especially to the African American community. Mother Lange’s love for all enabled her to see Christ in each person, and the pain of prejudice and racial hatred never blurred that vision.
Deign to raise her to the highest honors of the altar in order that, through her intercession, more souls may come to a deeper understanding and more fervent love of You.
Heavenly Father, glorify Your heart by also granting this favor (here mention your request), which we ask through the intercession of Your faithful servant, Mother Mary Lange. Amen.
Resources
Jesuit Order Antiracism Resources
Jesuit-developed antiracist projects or resources for personal antiracist growth.
Clergy Antiracism Perspectives
Resources for an understanding of Catholic clergy-derived viewpoints and teaching on antiracism.
Laity Antiracism Perspectives
Resources for developing an appreciation of Catholic POC laity perspectives and/or experiences with racism.
Parishioner Antiracism Self-Reflections
Take Action by March 22 to Prevent Cuts to Refugee Assistance
Congress faces a March 22nd deadline to pass critical funding bills to avert a government shutdown. These funding bills include lifesaving assistance to meet the humanitarian needs of those arriving at our borders and millions of displaced persons overseas. Due to continued inaction by Congress, many essential U.S. humanitarian programs—both foreign and domestic—remain in limbo.
Palm Sunday & Holy Week
In the movie Dead Man Walking, Sr. Helen Prejean, played by Susan Sarandon, paid a home visit to the Delacroix family to extend her sympathy to them. Their daughter was murdered by a hardened criminal named Matthew Poncelet. She brought them a pie, and they welcomed her as any good
Coming Up – The 5th Sunday of Lent
Hi there. Chris McCullough here to talk to you about a few Lenten Almsgiving Opportunities that we have going on in our Parish… Click here for this week’s Parish: ‘the thought’
5th Week of Lent
Hi there. Chris McCullough here to talk to you about a few Lenten Almsgiving Opportunities that we have going on in our Parish… Click here for this week’s Parish: ‘The Thought’
4th Week of Lent
One familiar sign waved by spectators at sports events in hopes that television cameras will transmit their message is: “John 3:16.” A favorite of many Christians, this verse states: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
Relief for those in Gaza
You know about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Before October 7, about 80% of Gaza’s population of over two million people relied on humanitarian aid. Now, nearly every resident urgently needs aid. Our Poor Box collection for the month of March will go to Anera (American Near East Refugee Aid)