Racial And Social Healing Ministry

Office Of Life, Justice And Peace

“He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of
sight for the blind” (Luke 4:18b).

Vision: The Racial and Social Justice ministry of the diocese of San Jose calls each person to embrace the works of justice and to eliminate discrimination based on race or ethnicity, class or social standing.

Mission: Our Faith calls us to both personal conversion and the transformation of our society. In collaboration with interfaith and other community organizations, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will change structures that deny people their rights, respect and dignity as children of God.

Goals: Stop discrimination against people viewed as “the other.”

  • Facilitate publicity and promotion throughout the diocese of events and initiatives that encourage
      • Celebration of social harmony, understanding and cohesiveness
      • Overcoming racism and eliminating discrimination against marginalized and
        vulnerable populations
      • Addressing public situations of harm, loss, injustice, and violence
  • Promote awareness within all parishes of racial and social healing ministries of all parishes within the diocese
  • Promote parish Interfaith activities, racial and social justice projects to alleviate discrimination, poverty and homelessness
  • Gather and submit for publication by DSJ: articles re:
      • Parish-based events related to racial & social justice
      • Events and initiatives in which parishes partner with Interfaith and other
        community organizations in pursuit of shared goals
      • Conferences, media, and other resources of value to ministers
  • Coordination: Kathy Mattingly, Donna O’Connell

Bulletin Inserts:

Racism & Prejudice and the Transforming Power of the Liturgy | USCCB
Migrants, Refugees, the Poor, and the Transforming Power of the Liturgy | USCCB

Please share this Pentecost statement from the bishops of the Anti-Racism Committee, titled “Transformation of Heart.” We encourage you to share it with your parishioners as a good reflection on the Pentecost call to unity in love and peace.
Thanks to Bishops Pham, Elshoff and Nunes for their work on this encouraging statement. It is very apt for our present moment.

Actionable Steps

The following are some actionable steps pastors and their communities may undertake to this end:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  1. Read (or re-read) Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love – A Pastoral Letter Against Racism using the accompanying Study Guide. Visit http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm
  2. Create various large and small group opportunities for parishioners to process their feelings in the midst of news and commentary about vulnerable populations and law enforcement. Encourage participants to reflect or share their own upbringing regarding comments in the home, from parents and individuals, media and entertainment, even practices of the Church about the merits or demerits of certain groups of people made to be “the other.” Ask how have I knowingly or unconsciously made this formation part of my world view?
  3. Arrange a safe space for young people to reflect and pray about racism and recent events. Listen to the current experiences of young people. Encourage and allow their creative expression. Invite them to generate methodologies that are meaningful to them.
  4. Attend an intergenerational interracial virtual town hall discussion on racism. Respect that for some African Americans, Hispanics and others talking about personal racial experiences in a mixed race setting is painful as it is like reopening a wound that hadn’t fully healed.
  5. Use a pastoral and non-partisan lens to respond to concerns of parishioners, clergy and staff about racism, policing and public safety. Do not politicize this. Lean on Gospel values, instead.
  6. Meet with chaplains and chiefs of police departments to discuss possible actions. Engage the Parish Pastoral and Finance Councils in this discussion.
  7. Invite Diocesan Vocational Directors to incorporate regular dialogs among seminarians about their experiences with racism, prejudice and racial discrimination.
  8. Create a mechanism for the bishop to hear confidentially from clergy about their personal experiences or understanding of bigotry, privilege, supremacy, bias or indifference to racism. Discuss how these experiences manifest, hinder or complicate their ministries.
  9. Invite a conversation with a group of African American, Latino, Indigenous or African men and/or young people about their personal experiences with law enforcement.
  10. Encourage homilists to preach against racism and for personal responsibility to eradicate it. Explore how anti-racism looks. Continue to study and understand racism as it manifested in the past and does so today.
Faithful Citizenship

 

Faithful Citizenship – More than Just Election Days!

Election Guidelines and Resources for Parishes and Schools

 

“The Church is involved in the political process but is not partisan. The Church cannot champion any candidate or party. Our cause is the defense of human life and dignity and the protection of the weak and vulnerable.”
– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 58

Visit these sites to learn more about how the Church encourages us to participate in political life.

 

Helpful Reminders for Evaluating Political Activity

 

DO… 
• Share Catholic Social Teaching and apply these values to legislation, public issues, and ballot measures.
• Advocate for or against a particular ballot proposal .
• Conduct a non-partisan voter registration or get-out-the-vote drive.
• Encourage Catholics to evaluate candidate positions and form their consciences before voting.
• Check with the diocesan attorney if there are questions about appropriate political activity.

DON’T… 
• Only invite selected candidates to address a church-sponsored group.
• Distribute partisan campaign literature or unapproved election material at the organization.
• Endorse/oppose candidates and political parties while acting as a representative of the Church.
• Use organizational resources to provide support for candidates, political parties, or Political Action Committees (PACs).
• Conduct a voter registration that is slanted toward one candidate or political party.

The California Catholic Conference reaffirms the long-standing prohibition of the distribution of election year material in parishes unless published by the diocesan bishop, CCC, or the USCCB.

 

Catholic Voters Resources

  1. 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: Available in English| Español
  2. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provide a framework for Catholics in the United States. Available in English, Español
  3. Quotations From The Teachings and Documents of the Church Regarding Politics
  4. Praying Like a Faithful Citizen: 9 New Ways to Pray:  Available in English| Español
  5. USCCB Videos for Faithful Citizenship: Available in English, some Español
  6. USCCB Audio Messages for Faithful Citizenship: Available in English
  7. Handout: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Available in English, Español
  8. The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: English
    1. Part I (English)
    2. Part I (Spanish)
    3. Part II (English & Spanish)
  9. Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. Available in English | Spanish
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USCCB Prayer Resources