Catholics are no strangers to discrimination, as victims, advocates and perpetrators. Catholic leaders, including many religious women, participated courageously in the civil rights efforts of the 1960s. At the same time, as confessed in recent pastoral letter by the U.S. bishops, Catholics have been guilty of tragic racist misdeeds that have cost people opportunity, dignity and freedom.
The church's leaders have moved with honesty and humility to apologize to victims and learn from many mistakes. While students might be alarmed or disturbed by stories like Patricia Grey's, they also can relate to the human flaws of the church. These painful experiences have become significant opportunities to examine the collective conscience of the church and to commit to a truer witness of gospel values.
Pre-arrange with a colleague to stand outside the classroom and knock on the door. Don't answer, but instead lock the door and continue as if the person is not there.
After a minute, send a student outside, first asking them to knock on the door. Immediately open it and welcome them in, then shut the door in the colleague's face.
Invite the colleague in, then ask the class:
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What impression would this visitor be getting as they stand outside?
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How might they have felt when the classmate was let in while they continued to wait?
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What possible benefits could have come from letting the visitor in?
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What harm might have come if we didn't let them in?
Conclude by explaining that doors have hinges and knobs, but they lack hearts and minds. It's up to us to be open to the gifts and opportunities that come with every knock. Many people have come to regret closing their minds and hearts to the stranger at their door, only to discover greater values than first met the eye.
Listen to or sing together the song "All Are Welcome" by Marty Haugen, or pray together this prayer from "Open Wide Our Hearts," which seeks the intercession of our Blessed Mother:
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being, called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.
We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and to build a just society.
We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts but will be replaced with a love that respects the dignity of each person.
Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts: pray for us.
Amen.
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