- October 14, 2020
Racism is a virus every bit as deadly as COVID-19 that has infected our nation since its inception. Until we address it, our nation will never heal. Racism diminishes us all, whether is be the institutional racism that privileges some at the expense of others or the daily acts of microaggressions, hate and discrimination. It is long past time to dismantle white privilege and rededicate ourselves to building God’s beloved community. It is time for bold, decisive action.
Sisters and associates are taking action, joining with others who raise their voices to the injustice of racism. From the streets of Kansas City and St. Louis, Sisters of St. Joseph and associates have participated in peaceful prayer and protest, witnessing a commitment to put an end to racial injustice.
In downtown St. Louis, Sister Amy Hereford participated in a march over 1,000 strong from city hall to the police department. “We were together: black and white, young and old, trans and straight, and everything in between,” she says. “It was a privilege to be there, in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We marched in peace to do the work of justice, to build the beloved community, step by step, chant by chant, heart by heart.”
Also in St. Louis, Sisters Ida Berresheim, Rosario Bobadilla and Mary Jo Ritter joined a demonstration at St. Alphonsus Rock Church that included public testimony and a prayer. “We join together with those in our country and throughout the world who are publicly clamoring for action to eliminate the centuries-old scourge of racism,” says Sister Ida.
On Juneteenth (June 19) in Kansas City, a group of sisters, associates and partners joined along with others to stand in prayer on the east side of the 10-mile long Troost Boulevard using the city’s racial dividing line to bring unity and racial healing through a human prayer chain.
“We were there to witness our conviction that prayer is surely one of the most powerful bridges over a dividing line,” says Sister Jeanne Janssen.
Sister Marie Joan Harris says, “The noise made it difficult for me to pray until I realized that each passing car held the lives of Spirit-filled people being God’s presence now … Drivers and passengers gave the peace sign, held up fists in solidarity, hung out of windows calling ‘right on’ and stood up through sunroofs taking pictures.”
“Hearing and seeing the visible affirmation of solidarity from those driving by was so very touching to me,” says Sister Ann Landers.
Also on Juneteenth, a prayer service was hosted outside the motherhouse in St. Louis where sisters and associates were present both in person and virtually.
“For me, the most inspiring and moving part of the prayer was the eight minutes and 46 seconds we meditated silently in memory of George Floyd,” says Sister Linda Straub, a planner of the event. “You could only hear the birds and the breeze and the trees. It was a powerful and moving meditation.”
As the motherhouse overlooks the Mississippi River, the prayer service ended with the song, “Healing River.” Sister Linda says it was a cry “that the river on which we stand would be the source of healing for our city and our nation.”
O healing river, send down your waters, send down your waters upon this land. O healing river, send down your waters, and wash the blood from off the sand.
By Jenny Beatrice