Greetings of peace, my dear Franciscan Family!
It is with a heavy heart I write this to you. Once again, we have been witnesses to the evil of racism and violence in our midst. But I have been so edified by the countless emails and phone calls I have received. Thank you for your witness and your willingness to reach out; most especially as we still cannot fully return to community and fraternity life. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!
Attached please find a special edition of my Animator Notes. It is an edition on racism. I could have made it fifty pages long, but I thought I would spare you that. In the short 6-page document, I have poured my heart and soul into what I want to be a bit of a primer for you to reflect, question, and even cringe on. There is still much more I could share with you, but I invite you to chew on this piece, as you would lectio divina.
The USA-OFS JPIC Statement on Racism is also included in the document, but I have also attached a separate copy, in case you just need to read that quickly. Because I want you to take your time with the rest. Take your time, sit and experience the plight of people of color in this country. I have also included some additional resources for you.
I invite you to share this with your families, your fraternities, and your faith communities - to end up having safe and meaningful dialogues. In the near future, the National JPIC Commission will host Mindful Dialogues on Racial Justice via Zoom. Dialogue is very much a part of the Franciscan charism. Let us talk about what tends to lie silent far too much.
Please continue to stay safe and may the Lord give you peace.
Wishing you blessings of peace and all good!
Carolyn D. Townes, OFS
National Animator,
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
"Journey Together in Love and Compassion"
(OFS-USA 2020 Theme)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
ReplyDeleteI welcome this opportunity for the members of the fraternity to stay in as close a contact as possible before we are actually able to enjoy one another's fellowship. The traumatic history of black Americans, brought to these shores by slave traders 400 years ago, has to teach all of us, of whatever background, that the reconciliation of people can only be a gift from God, and loving God with our whole being and each one of us, in whatever situation we find ourselves, loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, is the only path we can take if we dream about racial justice for everyone. Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...