‘Mardi Gras, Katrina’, ‘The City that Care forgot’, ‘When the Saints go Marching In’.
Photo Copyright John M. Kingery2011
All terms evoking thoughts of New Orleans, La where the four-day 25th Annual Social Action Summer Institute (SASI) – “Focus on the Worker: ‘New Things” in Labor 120 years after Rerum Novarum” in July. This event drew over drew over 100 clergy and laity from 25 states and was held at Loyola University and sponsored by the USCCB, the Roundtable – Association of Catholic Diocesan Social Action Directors, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, Catholic Charities, Catholic Relief Services and Just Faith ministries. This exciting and faith filled event was hosted by the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Jesuit Social Research Institute. Our own Archdiocese of Portland was well represented by Matt Cato, Director of the Office of Life, Justice and Peace, Lisa Stiller a recent Just Faith graduate, and me and wife Ann from St. Juan Diego parish.
The event began with Sunday Mass con-celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond, Archdiocese of New Orleans and Bishop Gabino Zavala, Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Lisa Stoller was privileged to be one of the lectors. In his homily based upon the parable of the sower – Matthew 13:18-23, Archbishop Aymond reminded all attendees that we are called to be ‘humble tillers of the soil’ as we work for God’s Kingdom on Earth.
After Mass, Bishop Zavala gave the keynote presentation – “The Dignity of Work: Theological Foundations.” As a young child, he learned the dignity of work by selling the LA Times newspaper on the street corner in his neighborhood. That dignity is inherent for all who work from newspaper carrier to CEO to our holy father Pope Benedict. He remarked sadly that many Catholic clergy and laity know very little regarding Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Those who do have some knowledge are not keeping current or sharing CST with others.
The Portland pilgrims split up on Monday morning to learn and share with other SASI attendees. Matt and Lisa attended lectures on the Historical and Religious Context for Workers’ Rights and Supporting Workers Today presented by Kathy Saile, USCCB Director of Domestic Social Development and others. They visited the Louisiana Bucket Brigade at St. Bernard Parish on Tuesday afternoon. The LA Bucket Brigade supports communities’ use of grassroots action to create informed, sustainable neighborhoods free from industrial pollution. Along with learning and sharing, Lisa contributed by leading breakfast and lunch discussions on Consistent Life and Happenings in Health Care.
Ann and I participated in lectures on Biblical Justice and Foundations of Catholic Social Teaching presented by Tricia Hoyt, Diocese of Portland and Fr. Fred Kammer, S.J. Jesuit Social Research Institute. Tricia Hoyt emphasized all social issues and actions related to those issues must have a strong scriptural and theological background from the beginning. To start with an issue and then selectively seek scriptural and theological support is incorrect. God hears the cry of the poor. We are called to be the voice for the voiceless – the widow, the orphan and the alien. A key point of Fr. Fred’s lecture was sinful structures are the result of many personal systems and choices. They cannot be separated. Our response as Christians must be structural and personal. As American Catholics, we have developed wonderful educational and social service organizations. Opposed to that good, we have bought into the American Myth that poverty does not exist and individuals can pull themselves up by their bootstraps regardless of the situation.
At lunch, I led a discussion on Justice: A List, A Ladder, A Garment, A Wheel where I invited others to reflect on how justice is shared and lived out in our parishes and community. I created special ‘Justice Trading Cards’ to stimulate discussion. Tricia Hoyt, Nadine Pizer teacher at Cabrini High School, New Orleans, and Jean Dresley, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Shreveport participated in the lively discussion.
Tuesday afternoon, Ann and I visited the Micah PICO Organizing Group at St. Peter Claver. Micah is a faith-based, non-partisan, multi-racial organization of 15 congregations united to for a common good established in 2007. Fr. Mike, Deacon Allen and Daniel Schwartz gave their perspectives on what is effective faith based organizing. First, it involves truly listening to the community members and their needs. It is not another program, it is doing our faith. Second, leadership must be constantly training and growing. This empowers the community and discourages those in power from targeting individuals in the community. Who do they target? They are all leaders.
Our intrepid four came together late Tuesday afternoon at the St. Joseph Rebuild Center. The center works with the needy and displaced residents to rebuild their lives and repopulate this neighborhood, providing hope for the community. This center has won many awards for its welcoming and effective design. It began as joint project of the Jesuit and Vincentian orders in New Orleans. As our host jokingly remarked, “It only really got organized when the Ursuline Sisters became involved”.
We will never be the same because of our pilgrimage to New Orleans.
In Christ and Peace,
John