The St. Thomas More Racial Equity Initiative was created as an initiative from the Pastoral Council in Summer 2020. 

Mission: To heighten awareness and sensitivity of racism by providing educational programming for our parish community to promote a culture of equity and inclusion.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The Way of the Cross: Toward Justice and Peace | A Powerful Lenten Journey 

The Way of the Cross: Toward Justice and Peace is a unique and moving experience that invites us to walk with Jesus on His final journey while reflecting on the suffering and struggles of people today. Through the Stations of the Cross, we spiritually accompany Christ in His Passion, remembering that His suffering continues in the lives of those who are abandoned, abused, ill, and without homes—especially in these challenging times.

A Call to Justice and Peace
As we meditate on each station, we also honor 14 individuals who followed in Jesus’ footsteps—faithful witnesses who devoted their lives to justice, compassion, and peace. Their stories remind us that the power of faith can overcome death and lead us to resurrection.

Join Us on This Journey
Let this experience be more than a prayer—may it inspire us to live out our faith by advocating for justice, serving the poor, and sharing Christ’s love with the world.

Events:

The Racial Equity Initiative has many opportunities for parishioners to get involved and learn about racism and how to respond with our Catholic Faith.

Stations of the Cross: Overcoming Racism Event

This version of Stations of the Cross focuses on overcoming racism that can help you, your family, and community reflect prayerfully on the pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. 

“Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love” Five Week Study

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) created a pastoral letter against racism in 2018, called Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love. In the letter, the bishops invite all people of faith to conversion. We are called to open our minds and hearts to Christ’s love for all people and to the experiences of those who have been harmed by the evil of racism.

Weekly the group will use the study guide created by USCCB to pray, listen, study, reflect, and respond to difficult questions related to our faith and racial equity.

Interested individuals can email Terry Conner - tdervrich@gmail.com

Book Studies, led by Kim & Tom Novak

Interested individuals can eamil Kim Novak - kimberly.a.novak@outlook.com

Book studies in the past have met bi-weekly and discussed “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson & “White Catholic’s Guide to Racism & Privilege” by Daniel Horan 

Resources & Involvement 

Take a look at our collaborative list of Anti-Racist Resources in many forms.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hANst_lM5xBX6B3L52_c5aetCVz24KGwd2FnR07B9pc/edit?usp=sharing

If you’d like to add something to this spreadsheet, please email Karen below

To learn more, or get involved on the leadership team, please email Karen Grajczyk-Haddad at KGrajczyk@gmail.com