Amplifying Voices in Solidarity.
Dear Friends, Parishioners, Visitors, and Concerned Citizens,
Like many of you, my family found itself in shock and disbelief on election night back in 2016. ‘How could someone who campaigned on hate become President of the United States?’ Now we find ourselves asking such questions as, ‘What would this mean for our shared values of love, decency, and inclusion?’ ‘How could we make a meaningful difference in the face of such hatred and adversity?’
With inspiration from some like-minded friends, two printers named Jameesa and Bryan realized that they had the means to make a difference by leveraging their skills to support a cause close to their hearts. They began by simply using what they already knew how to do and by creating visual displays of art and uniting it with solidarity, they have inspired resistance and demanded action.
Over the last few years, literally, I have sat with many of you in our parish as we have come together in groups and in my office and grappled with the pain in our hearts. We have seen the pain of those targeted by this administration and yet, we have remained constant and true to our shared values. But many of you have stated, ‘We need to do something, but what can we do?’
Recently The Women’s Group of Saint Miriam, along with some devoted members, approached me with an idea to unite by joining with ‘Signs of Justice’ by simply filling our post cards and mailing them to our representatives in Congress to let our feelings – and our voices – be heard. I agreed.
Our faith demands action. Faith without works, they say, is dead. It is time to live again, feel empowered, even in the simplest of ways and send off our committed and united voices to be that change, what better time to do so than the holy Season of Lent. A simple act of change and resistance!
I am asking that you join the WSM and myself and all who believe there is a better future and take some cards or complete them before you leave during this season, starting with Ash Wednesday. We will provide the materials and the stamps; you provide the action coupled with your prayers united for change. It has to be better than giving up chocolate.
In Hope and Solidarity,
Monsignor +Jim