From the Black Lives/All Lives Matter Conference
The focus of our conference prayer, readings, and reflective discussions during 2017-18 included a deepened awareness of our own racism and admission that we live in a white-privileged environment. We concluded that we need to grow in our understanding of our white privileged situation as Sisters of Charity and consciously work to break down those boundaries. What avenues do we see at this time to effect change in and among ourselves, as well as in others?
In our attempts to respond to this question, we submitted inserts for NewsLinks during Black History Month, reaffirmed our commitment as Sisters of Charity to be women of peace using the peace symbol, developed in 1991, on the front of a card with a black lives matter prayer on the reverse side, and sponsored “Responding to Racism: I Need You and You Need Me”—a dialogue with Dr. Rosalyn Cain King and her faith-filled family on April 7, 2018 at Caritas Christi that was available through live-streaming for those at a distance.
We believe that the theme for our conference readings, reflections, and discussions is critical, given what is happening in Pittsburgh and in American society today. We are particularly blessed that we have received input from a number of laywomen of color who have participated with us in our zoom conference meetings. We expect to expand our group to include women religious of color in the coming year.
Co-leaders: Sisters Maria Goetschalckx and Victoria Marie Gribschaw