Statement Regarding Racism - Excerpt from Homily on 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

As our patron saint, St. Katharine Drexel, was so deeply involved with anti-racism work, we wanted to share some words from Fr. Paul's homily on the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time regarding the recent racial tensions in our society:

“As we stand for the sanctity of all life in the midst of a culture of death, as we strive for peace and justice for all in the midst of ever increasing violence and injustice, as we grow in understanding of our own complicity with racism and prejudice and seek to embrace others with respect and dignity when they are oppressed or thought of as different or less by society, as we seek to live unselfish lives in the midst of great selfishness we will pay the cost of following Jesus. Over and over in the social order, in relations between nations and people, in how great is the suffering of many around the world, in the inequity which others must endure there is constant evidence of disdain for the teachings of Jesus. So, if we are to live with integrity what our Baptism into Christ demands we must be open to being counter our culture.
Like the disciples then, so we today, are to be strong, confident and steadfast in proclaiming God’s Word, and the presence of God to the world and times in which we live. The world desperately needs the Christian message and who can proclaim it but we who say we follow Christ?
Each Eucharist we celebrate around the Table of the Lord renews our faith and Baptismal commitment, so today, let us pray that our faith may continue to grow ever more vibrant, that we will commit ourselves to a continual discernment and openness to the teachings of our Church and that we will know the strength, the wisdom and the knowledge we need to “proclaim” our faith with all our hearts.”

-Fr. Paul Jaroszeski on the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time