As institutions across the U.S. celebrated the life of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in a variety of ways on January 17, 2022, sisters from Sisters, Home Visitors of Mary attended a beautiful mass for peace and justice honoring Rev. King at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in Detroit.
A confluence of voices came together on this special day. They all call for the passage of pending Federal legislation protecting and enhancing the right to vote. Let us all pray together for a change of heart for those who are resisting the changes necessary to get this important legislation passed.
The Adrian Dominican Sisters Leadership Council issued a statement calling on our Senate to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Here is a link to the statement. As Dr. King once said, “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” We are in the same blessed boat and we believe that our differences are a gift from God that we are called to honor, respect and value.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in conjunction with Poverty Awareness Month in the U.S., posted a reminder that ACTION is the twin of prayer …
“Local individuals and groups can make a real difference. We are able to instill a greater sense of responsibility, a strong sense of community, a readiness to protect others, a spirit of creativity and a deep love for the land. . . . Social problems must be addressed by community networks and not simply by the sum of individual good deeds” (Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home [Laudato Si’], nos. 179, 219).
People in every nation enhance the social dimension of their lives by acting as committed and responsible citizens: “responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation” (Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel [Evangelii Gaudium], no. 220, quoting United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, Nov. 2007, no. 13).
How we organize our society — in economics and politics, in law and policy — directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The church teaches that every person has a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
A daily calendar of Poverty in America Month topics can be seen at https://www.usccb.org/resources/PAM_January%20Month%20Calendar_2022.pdf