By now you’ve all read or heard about last Saturday’s Women’s March on Washington. Many of you probably attended a local march, or were glued to the television, as reports of solidarity marches came in from all over the world! It was incredible, and I feel so privileged been able to be in DC for it. Not only was it the largest Social Justice March the world has ever seen, but it was conducted with civility and respect for one another. Internecine conflicts were not in focus as we concentrated on the even greater threats to social justice, basic human rights, national security and the future of our democracy.
For many parishioners, these threats are already very real. We have parish children who are suffering the loss of their parents, as ICE remains aggressive in breaking up families. We have refugee families who find it almost impossible to get a footing in their new country, because private and government funding is inadequate. Many parishioners fear they won’t be able to afford healthcare after the Affordable Care Act is repealed and Medicare is privatized. And the long term trend of wealth disproportionately rising to the top 1% is likely to be accelerated with promised tax cuts for the rich.
In the shadow of this darkness, our spirits rose in Washington. When you’re swimming against the tide it’s comforting to know that there are others who see what you see and feel what you feeling. Women of all ages, colors and creeds, most of whom had never demonstrated for anything in their lives, came out to stand up for social justice. They demanded respect, dignity, and equality for all. Tightly packed together listening to inspiring speakers, we confirmed our sisterhood. The Holy Spirit was among us lighting a fire that spread around the world in the hearts and souls of people rising up. It was a feeling I’ll never forget.
But the march was only the beginning. Now it’s time to work to protect our basic human rights. It doesn’t matter how you voted in the election. What matters now is that we as Catholics get involved in supporting what we believe in. See the Catholic social justice teaching link below.
Democracy is messy. It needs open communication and participation to be healthy. It’s time to leave the ‘silent majority’ because we can make a difference by spending even as little as 2-3 minutes a day. Connect with your elected officials or do other work that supports the Catholic social justice mission. Now is the time to live our faith through our actions. I hope you’ll join me in preparing for Easter this year by committing to do one small action a day in support of the social justice mission of our parish. Below are a few links to get you started. These sites are by no means inclusive. But they can help keep you informed and armed with quick and easy ways to be involved. Make your commitment now. You’ll be glad you did.
What can I do to help? Women’s March on Washington next steps:
www.womensmarch.com
Who are my elected officials? (Write if you must, but calling is better)
act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page
What are the Catholic Social Justice teachings?
www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm
Written by Lisa McManus
Wife, mother, parishioner
January 26, 2017
In the shadow of this darkness, our spirits rose in Washington. When you’re swimming against the tide it’s comforting to know that there are others who see what you see and feel what you feeling. Women of all ages, colors and creeds, most of whom had never demonstrated for anything in their lives, came out to stand up for social justice. They demanded respect, dignity, and equality for all. Tightly packed together listening to inspiring speakers, we confirmed our sisterhood. The Holy Spirit was among us lighting a fire that spread around the world in the hearts and souls of people rising up. It was a feeling I’ll never forget.
But the march was only the beginning. Now it’s time to work to protect our basic human rights. It doesn’t matter how you voted in the election. What matters now is that we as Catholics get involved in supporting what we believe in. See the Catholic social justice teaching link below.
Democracy is messy. It needs open communication and participation to be healthy. It’s time to leave the ‘silent majority’ because we can make a difference by spending even as little as 2-3 minutes a day. Connect with your elected officials or do other work that supports the Catholic social justice mission. Now is the time to live our faith through our actions. I hope you’ll join me in preparing for Easter this year by committing to do one small action a day in support of the social justice mission of our parish. Below are a few links to get you started. These sites are by no means inclusive. But they can help keep you informed and armed with quick and easy ways to be involved. Make your commitment now. You’ll be glad you did.
What can I do to help? Women’s March on Washington next steps:
www.womensmarch.com
Who are my elected officials? (Write if you must, but calling is better)
act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page
What are the Catholic Social Justice teachings?
www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm
Written by Lisa McManus
Wife, mother, parishioner
January 26, 2017