Prayer for Overcoming Racism

In his message to our community of faith this week, Archbishop Gomez reminded us that racism is  “a blasphemy against God, who creates all men and women with equal dignity. It has no place in a civilized society and no place in a Christian heart.” We must treat one another with dignity, compassion, love and respect, as children of God, regardless of race, language, or country of origin. We must follow God’s commandment to love one another as he loves us.

 As an Archdiocese, we stand committed to continuing to work to end racial injustice in our society and promote peaceful dialogue, discourse and understanding on race and social justice.

 Attached, please find a prayer card in English and Spanish to be distributed at all parishes, schools, and ministries of the Archdiocese to help our community of faith continue to pray for an end to racism in our society. The prayer cards and other resources to help foster dialogue, action, prayer and healing can also be found at https://lacatholics.org/healing/.

 On June 9^th, the day of George Floyd’s funeral in Houston, priests may celebrate Mass using prayers from the “Masses and Prayers for Various needs and Occasions.” For example, the Mass for “The Preservation of Peace and Justice” (#30A). Priests may also include prayers for the repose of his soul and for his family’s comfort and peace at the Prayers of the Faithful during Mass.

 In addition, parishes are invited to ring their bells at 9:00 A.M. for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the amount of time that he was held down.

Below are a few links to additional resources from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Charities USA:

·        http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/educational-resources-on-racism.cfm

·        http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/prayer-service-for-racial-healing.cfm

·        http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/index.cfm

·        http://ccc.usccb.org/flipbooks/catechism/473/index.html

·        https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Prayer-for-Racial-Healing.pdf

Let us continue to offer our prayers for the soul of George Floyd, and for his family. And let us pray for all those who are working to put an end to racial injustice in our society.