Healing Racism

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Afternoon brought a break from our Clergy Days meetings, and I came back to campus to check on things.

St. Joseph’s is hosting a workshop called “Healing Racism.” We’re starting with a mixed group of our own staff, some of our students’ parents, and key people in the community. It’s a key issue in our part of the world, and I suspect in many others as well. We try to teach our students to see beyond externals and come to know and appreciate people from different backgrounds. In order to do that with credibility, we have to model those ourselves. I dropped by to see how it was going. One of our parents found it intense, because it raised feelings she usually tried to put aside. But she agreed it was helpful to do so in a supportive environment.  

Tonight the Chamberlain Knights of Columbus hosted all the priests of the diocese for a steak fry at St. James Parish center. The Knights do many charitable projects, like helping with the Special Olympics, and try to be supportive of priests and vocations. Gathered around small tables, the evening gave me the chance to get to know many of the priests across the Eastern half of the state that I don’t get to spend much time with. Lots of them impressed me as being so committed and passionate about passing on the faith.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future.

2 thoughts on “Healing Racism”

  1. This is a very important lesson,as ‘the message from you’,for others to head, and learn from,………..How does GOD see you and the one next to you…..does HE’ see a difference, in the way you do?–Do as HE’ works to teach you to do.—-Remember GOD made US ALL,and BEING the same in HIS eyes. Try to see others’ through GODS’ eyes.–Treat your neighbor, as YOU would WANT YOUR neighbor to treat YOU. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

    GOD BLESS’-
    Cynthia’MILLER’- skaggs

  2. As my mother used to say, “There are people, and then there are people..”. Personally, I don’t like living where everyone looks the same. I like to see morality in my community, and a safe and fair standard. There is plenty of room for all of us to dance to the music..and do it together.

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