RACIAL JUSTICE SUNDAY 2021: A TIME TO ACT
Webmaster • January 30, 2021
Ethnic minorities have suffered disproportionately from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating a systemic problem with racial injustice in our society. This was dramatically brought home with the brutal killing of George Floyd and the reaction it provoked. As Pope Francis reflects: “instances of racism continue to shame us, for they show that our supposed social progress is not as real or definitive as we think.”
These shameful reminders of racism demand meaningful action to confront and dismantle sinful structures of injustice. Our brother Bishops in the USA remind us that: “all of us are in need of personal, ongoing conversion. Our churches and our civic and social institutions are in need of ongoing reform. If racism is confronted by addressing its causes and the injustice it produces, then healing can occur.”
Racism is a sin and a violation of human dignity in which we are all complicit. As Catholics we need to acknowledge and confront our own failings, as individuals and as a Church. Every single one of our parishes, schools and organisations has a responsibility to actively practise anti-racism in all aspects of our mission.
We need to address the lack of visible diversity at every level, so that people can see themselves, their race, their culture and their history in the Church’s life.
We need to engage suppliers and businesses from all parts of the community, seeking out those which promote diversity and inclusivity.
Most importantly we need to actively invite people from different ethnic communities to share their experiences and genuinely listen to their voices, however challenging this may be.
It is not enough to simply denounce racism. This is a time to act. In the words of the Holy Father: “This is a moment to dream big, to rethink our priorities — what we value, what we want, what we seek — and to commit to act in our daily life on what we have dreamed of. God asks us to dare to create something new.”
NOTES FOR PREACHERS
At the beginning of his public ministry Jesus outlines his Mission in the synagogue in Nazareth,
‘He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor,
to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight,
to set the downtrodden free,
to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour’
His ministry was one of compassionate involvement, concern for the disadvantaged. Aware of obstacles, including those of the Law, which limited joy and fulfilment Jesus acted. He confronted, sometimes angrily, what undermined a person’s dignity.
The theme of Racial Justice Sunday 2021 is A Time to Act.
Racial issues and inequalities were identified nationally and internationally in 2020 generating awareness, emotion and outrage. In light of this Racial Justice Sunday 2021 is particularly significant.
Action is needed to further the cause of racial justice. What can we do?
In recent years Pope Francis has repeatedly used four verbs encouraging positive and direct action in relation to migrants and refugees, ‘Welcome, Protect, Promote and Integrate’. These same words are essential to advancing the cause of racial justice. None can be omitted, it is as necessary to have plans to Promote and Integrate as it is to Welcome.
Jesus’ sermon in the synagogue in Capernaum (today’s Gospel Mark 1:21-28) triggered a reaction from a member of the congregation. (It is always unnerving to have your sermon interrupted by someone who disagrees with your words). ‘What do you want with us?’ ‘Have you come to destroy us?’
The duty of the Prophet in speaking God’s words and so bringing God’s light into lives and situations is to enlighten, to encourage, sometimes to warn. To identify what action is needed to ensure that all God’s people know they are equally valued by society and the Church.
The plea of the psalmist today is ‘ …listen to his voice, harden not your hearts’. Racial Justice Sunday is a time to absorb fully this scriptural request.
Listening to the voice of God and the voice of the Church we learn of equal love for all.
Voices that discriminate unjustly, attitudes that undermine on the grounds of race must be opposed.
Voices of those who feel rejected or perpetually in second place must be listened to.
The dignity of all must be respected and promoted.
In the Church we proclaim that everyone of whatever racial origin should be Welcomed, Protected, Promoted and Integrated. What action is needed that this may be achieved?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus Christ,
in your ministry
you were approached by people
of many different nations and cultures.
You listened to their cry for help,
treated them with love and compassion,
and brought them healing and wholeness.
In our own time may we provide
to all those who are suffer
the help that they need
and the care that they require.
May we respond to the invitation of the Holy Spirit
to dream of a world made new
where the poor are not forgotten
but are given the opportunity
to live and flourish
with good health and equal prospects.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Amen.
There are several events organised by the Worthing Deanery Justice & Peace Group to celebrate Refugee Week 2025. Please put them in your diary and come along to one or all: • Faces of Resilience on Sunday 15th June 2-5pm at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church Hall, Vermont Drive. East Preston, BN16 1JU. Come and see photographs and listen to a ‘Living Book’, vividly telling the stories of Ukrainian women fleeing war and seeking refuge in the UK. Join us in prayer in the church at 3pm for refugees, people seeking asylum and peace in our world. See you there! • On Wednesday 18th June , there will be a Vigil for Refugees after the 10am Mass at Holy Family Church, Lancing. We are going to spend time together praying and reflecting on the plight of the refugee. • During Refugee week, please come and see Refugee photo exhibition "THE STATIONS" on display at both The Holy Family Church, Lancing, and St Mary of the Angels, Worthing. • "Welcoming the Stranger" - an evening of stories and sharing on Saturday 21st June 7-9pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Shoreham. Come and hear stories from Ukrainian refugees and those who support them in our local community, as well as information from the charity Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group and Refugee Tales. Please bring some snack food and drink to share! See the leaflet with the newsletter for lots more information! Download here
Photograph exhibition happening this Sunday 15th June
A statement from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales
More than 80 pilgrims from across the Diocese joined Bishop Richard on a special Jubilee Year Pilgrimage to the National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady at Walsingham last weekend (6-8 June). The pilgrimage, which saw many people travelling to Walsingham for the very first time, brought Catholics from parish communities across Surrey and Sussex together, offering enriching opportunities for prayerful reflection and fellowship in one of England’s most cherished places of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bishop Richard celebrated two Masses at the National Shrine during the pilgrimage. Preaching to an international congregation for the celebration of Pentecost on Sunday, he highlighted the “quiet revival” of the Church and emphasised the importance of sharing the good news: “When we, according to our different vocations and circumstances, proclaim Christ, we proclaim the Word that the world can not contain. Let us never underestimate the power of the Gospel message to a world that is in so much need of it.” “The renewal that we are seeing in the life of the Church in recent times is a result of people experiencing the ‘Living Water’ of Christ. Let us open our minds and hearts to the presence of the Holy Spirit, that strengthened by it, we bring hope to our world.” You can see more photos from the pilgrimage weekend on the diocesan Flickr site
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks with clarity of the Father, Himself as the Son, and the Holy Spirit. His words express the unity that exists between the three persons of the Blessed Trinity. The Holy Spirit will speak what comes from the Son, who has all that belongs to the Father. We express this in the Creed when we speak about the Holy Spirit coming from the Father and the Son. The mystery of the Trinity is about relationships – the relationships that exist between Father, Son and Spirit, one God. The wonder of God, existing eternally – as we hear in the First Reading this Sunday – pours love into our hearts, as St Paul reminds us. It is truly wonderful for us to reflect that, through our baptism, we are brought to live our lives in the love that exists in the Trinity. We are enabled to live in relationship with a God who is all love and whose love we see and experience as it is lived between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As we rejoice in our relationship with the one God, three Persons, let us recall that it is God who gives us life and, in the coming days, pray very especially for respect for life in our own society as those in parliament prepare to vote on the “Assisted Dying Bill”. If you have not written to your MP, there is still time. May I thank all those who have written, for such action is a powerful witness to the wonder of life, given us by God. With every blessing + Richard
Parishioners are warmly invited to an online webinar being run by Stella Maris on Thursday, 19th. June from 7:30pm to 9pm. You will hear about the work that Stella Maris has been doing with seafarers and fishers over the past year, including the use of the funds kindly donated on Sea Sunday last year. To attend this webinar, please sign up at: www.stellamaris.org.uk/thankyouwebinar
www.mothersprayers.org Calling all Mothers, (Including spiritual mothers, godmothers and grandmothers) Come and pray for our children. Mothers prayers group starting Friday July 4, 10 -11 am in the Parish Room at St Peter’s. On the first Friday of the month thereafter (except August). You are all welcome to join us for tea/coffee and prayers. See poster and flyers in the church porch
It’s now been confirmed that MPs will debate and vote next week – on either Tuesday 17 or Wednesday 18 June – on extreme abortion up to birth amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill. These proposed law changes represent the most serious threat to unborn children since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967. The disability rights group, Not Dead Yet UK, is asking people to contact their MP using a new tool on their website. It explains exactly why this Bill would be a disaster for people with disabilities. Please take action now and contact your MP. It only takes 30 seconds. You can read more including a statement from Archbishop John Sherrington (Lead Bishop for Life Issues) here: Opposing the Decriminalisation of Abortion - Catholic Bishops' Conference
When we contemplate the beginning of things and the whole created order, as we do in the scriptures today, we are brought to silence and awe. The Wisdom of God and the love of God made manifest in everything we see and can even imagine. We also consider the beginning and end of life and the wonder of our own being. God who brings us into existence and knows our end. It is all too much for us. It would be easy to see such a God as remote and distant. Yet there is not a cry He doesn't hear or even hair on our head He doesn't count. This God of ours is a God who saves. The movement of love in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit overflows to us in Jesus. God made flesh. God who is spirit is made visible and lives among us and in us. It really is a "wondrous mystery", but it is the "true faith". Everything we do is in the name of the Trinity from the sign of the cross at the beginning of Mass, to the Doxology at the end of the Eucharistic Prayer to the blessing before the dismissal. God the Holy Trinity is our beginning and our end. From baptism to commendation our hope is in God and our "hope does not put us to shame." With my prayer for you all. God bless you, Fr Graham
Saturday 5th July , 12pm-4.15pm,Church of Our Lady of Consolation & St Francis, West Grinstead, RH13 8LT. With Mass, personal consecration to Our Lady, Rosary, Adoration, Chaplet, Benediction and opportunities for Reconciliation. Bring a packed lunch. For details, contact Jayne by email .