Fr. Patrick's June 4 Letter
-
Hello Corpus Christi Family,
I pray this email finds you doing well, staying safe, healthy, prayerful and loving.
In this communication I'd like to give two quick reminders and then share a little bit more about the tumultuous times our country is going through because of the sin of racism.
Reminders:- In addition to the Monday - Thursday 8:30am daily mass, we also have now 12:15 pm mass on Monday & Wednesday and 6pm mass on Tuesday & Thursday. These are short masses (35 minutes max) but a great shot in the arm all the same, and no reservation needed.
- Please remember to make a reservation for the weekend masses by visiting the website to use the sign-up genius function.
Click here to register for weekend masses The Current Civil Unrest because of Racism
Last weekend, I started each mass by taking a little time to offer some thoughts on the current civil unrest due to racism and to read some of Archbishop Vigneron's recent response about the murder of George Floyd. At this time, I'd like to share a few more thoughts. Yesterday, I was blessed to prayerfully participate in the protest in downtown Detroit. As was to be expected there was a sense of righteous anger, and yes, some expressions of anger that weren't helpful, like a vulgar confrontation that occurred between two small groups (both consisting entirely of Caucasians) over one group carrying a Russian flag and certainly some different ideas than the other group. Their demonstration of anger was a distraction more than anything.
Wearing my collar, I was throwing away some trash when a group of African American men and women gathered together called me over to pray together... that is why I went downtown, to stand in solidarity with all peoples against the sin of racism and to prayerfully protest and to pray for the protesters too, as there is indeed a righteous anger that needs to be voiced as hundreds of years of racism still haunt this nation and still need purging from our society. My prayer for the protests is that they have a positive impact rather than negative, and that they will continue to be void of violence.
Sitting with the young black men of Better Men Outreach on many a Sunday afternoon, my perspective on what it is like to be a young black man in America has been significantly impacted by things they have shared, and simply said in my own opinion and words (forgive me if they fall short): they have faced ridiculous amounts of racism in their lives (any is too much of course!) and each has stories of interactions with police when they were pulled over for seemingly nothing.
I personally know several police officers who are beautiful men and women of God just trying to help society be a better place and who try to be part of the solution rather than the problem when it comes to racial profiling and racism in policing. I imagine you all know law officials too who you know see their call to law enforcement as a vocation and do it well and justly before God. We thank God for them and we pray for the conversion of all hearts in law enforcement (and beyond) that have been poisoned by racism.
As Christians, we know racism is clearly a sin, and that all men and women are made in God's image and likeness and have a sacred dignity ... that God has declared all are worthy of the blood he shed on the cross out of perfect love, for all of us. If I had young children, I would be showing them pictures of people who don't look like them, from all over the world and helping them to marvel at how beautiful God has made the most precious of all creation: people.
As a white man who has not experienced the scourge of racism personally, I recognize that my voice doesn't carry the weight of those who have carried the weight of racism in their lives and generational heritage. But I choose to prayerfully stand in solidarity with all personally hurt by racism, and personally offended by it. Little by little, one heart at a time, the love of God can change this world and heal the wounds of racism and the roots of systemic racism. You and I are part of that, and I'm glad to be on the journey with you, confident that the love of Jesus that we radiate has the power to impact meaningful change.
Now is a very good time for Corpus Christi to double down on our commitment to have conversations and continue to do what we can to effect change. In the last 13 months Corpus Christi has hosted three separate events on the issue of racism and all were very fruitful, and I think we would all like to see our parish continue to host such events. In the meanwhile, I trust the Holy Spirit will enable us to keep radiating the love of Jesus very well wherever we are, and wherever we go.
Love you & Bless you,
Fr. Patrick
Missed the weekend liturgies and the Sunday bulletin?
The bulletin is still available … previous weeks also!
bulletins
We also have video recordings of prior weekend Masses.
Mass videos
Detroit at Work has thousands of jobs available with employers who are READY to HIRE.
Here's how:
First, set up a free account with Detroit at Work [see red button below] or log in to search the Ready to Hire jobs. Click on Search Jobs, then type ‘Ready to Hire’ into the search field to see all the open jobs.
When you find a position you like, click the ‘I’m interested’ button and a Detroit at Work team member will call you to help you apply. You can even save and upload your resume right there on the site.
Get started today!
Click here for Detroit at Work
For more information on Ready to Hire watch their video.
Click here for Ready to Hire video
A Prayerful Reflection in this Time of Turmoil!