Dear Parishioners,
Last weekend was one of those weekends where I wish we had a same-day publishing service for our bulletin. Early publishing deadlines, however, make it impossible to respond to breaking news. It was certainly a difficult weekend here in the Twin Cities, with our community reeling after another fatal shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis. Yet even in that darkness, signs of hope have emerged.
For example, I was edified to see, via the Cathedral’s livestream, that a number of people responded to Archbishop Hebda’s invitation to pray at a special evening Mass last Sunday. During that Mass, the Archbishop emphasized the need to pray for peace and for all those most affected by the recent turmoil. These prayers may sometimes feel difficult—especially when we might look at another as holding the opposite view of us on a given issue—but, as Archbishop Hebda reminded us, all are in need of our humble prayers. We could say that true Christian prayer for someone is an act of trust that God desires the salvation and healing of all.
Does that mean we need to pray for Alex Pretti? Yes. Does that mean we need to pray for Renée Good? Yes. Does that mean we need to pray for our elected officials and law enforcement officers who, as Archbishop put it, have the unenviable responsibility of enforcing our laws? Yes. Does that mean we need to pray for both documented and undocumented immigrants? Yes. That call to prayer, issued by Archbishop last weekend, was a good reminder of the Christian response to such turmoil and a genuine sign of hope.
A second sign of hope has been the response to the turmoil that I have noticed within our own community here at Nativity. After last weekend, and really over the past weeks, I have had quite a few conversations with people wanting to know how they can help. As your Pastor, that makes me so very proud. One of the great privileges I have as a priest is connecting individuals who are in need with individuals who can provide specific help to address that need. Whatever you want to call that, whether it be networking or bridge-building, it seems that I have had the opportunity to do that a lot lately. For those who have asked what constructive next steps might look like, here are a few practical ways to move from concern to action.
1. Contact our U.S. Senators and the Representative from whatever district you live in. Remind them that the current issues we see playing out in our streets are connected to deeper, unresolved problems. One of those problems is our dire need for comprehensive immigration reform, which Archbishop Hebda recently noted in a Wall Street Journal article is something that needs to happen now.
2. Use the Minnesota Catholic Conference (MNCatholic.org) as a way to keep up with bills introduced during a current legislative session and find resources on how one goes about contacting our legislators.
3. If you know of individuals in need of legal resources to help navigate their immigration status, consider directing them to organizations like the Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC.org).
4. If you or someone you know is willing to financially help on a broader scale, I have recently learned the Catholic Community Foundation is reactivating the Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund (CCF-MN.org/relief) to address some of the current needs.
5. If you or someone you know is willing to financially help on a more local level, feel free to contact me as I am happy to connect those in need with those who can provide for that need.
6. If you personally know of families who need some encouragement or support during this time, reach out to them! You don’t need your pastor’s approval to do that. Let us pray for one another—immigrants, elected officials, and law enforcement alike—and continue to look out for each other.
God bless you all.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Bill Duffert