At times in history, the Catholic Church in the United States has failed to denounce the evils of slavery, racism, and discrimination. But we have also been blessed with the courageous witness of many priests, religious women and men, and countless laypersons who did respond prophetically by calling out sin and violent disregard for fellow human beings. Their lives remind us that we are all united in God’s love and the life of Christ. This week, we read about three Catholics who worked to heal the evil of racism in their day. As we learn about their stories, let us also reflect on how we can join this work of healing injustice in our country.

Julia Greeley (1833-1918) was born a slave in Missouri sometime between 1833 and 1848. While much of Julia’s early life is unknown, it is clear that she experienced the tragedy of slavery’s abuse, pain, and violence. Even amidst so much evil, she did not hate. Instead, she dedicated her life to helping others. Once emancipated after the Civil War, Julia Greeley settled in Colorado, where she worked as a housekeeper and nanny. She spent much of her modest earnings helping poor families in her neighborhood, many of whom were white. Realizing the shame many people feel in being poor, Julia left donations for them at night. Despite the poverty and trauma she suffered, she mercifully opened her heart to others in need. In 1880, Julia became a Roman Catholic and later joined the Secular Franciscan Order. Throughout her life, her generosity and good works brought joy and healing to her community. When Julia Greeley died, hundreds of people from many racial backgrounds came to mourn. Her charity, selflessness, and devotion to Christ made her a model of mercy.

Father Augustus Tolton (1886-1897) is often remembered as the first African-American priest in the United States (although the Healy Brothers, three sons of an enslaved woman and an Irish father whose racial heritage was less visibly apparent, were ordained before him). Father Tolton was born into slavery to parents whose owners allowed their slaves to be married in the Catholic Church. He was freed when his mother escaped to the free state of Illinois when he was a boy. He was encouraged by his local pastor to become a priest, but studied in Italy because no American seminary would admit him. As a priest, Father Tolton ministered to the African-American community in Quincy, Illinois. Known for his deep faith, eloquent sermons, and loving generosity, he attracted parishioners of various races to his parish. He inspired many affluent parishioners to support the parish school and its mission to educate all children regardless of race. Eventually, he was reassigned into the Archdiocese of Chicago where he became pastor of the first national parish for African-American Catholics. Despite his life experience with racism, Father Tolton remained steadfast in declaring: “The Catholic Church deplores a double slavery, that of both the mind and the body. The Church endeavors to free us from both.”

Cesar Chavez (1927-1993) organized the first successful union of farmworkers in American history. He was not just one of the great labor leaders of the twentieth century. He was also a heroic example of Catholic moral leadership. Born in 1927, Cesar Chavez was born into a Mexican-American family that was forced into migrant farming during the Great Depression. As a child, he had to work in the fields to support his family and was unable to complete the seventh grade in school. As a young man with a wife and growing family, he was inspired by a priest with a passion for social justice to train as a community activist. He gathered the Mexican-Americans in Delano, California, formed the United Farm Workers, and led a strike against local grape farmers. The struggle for fair working conditions was long and drawn out. When the workers were threatened and attacked, Chavez rejected violent retaliation and turned to non-violence activism. He began a hunger strike, fasted on only water for twenty-five days, and drew national attention to the unjust wages and working conditions of migrant laborers. Cesar Chavez was a devout Catholic who did not simply believe the teachings of Jesus Christ. He was transformed by them and they guided his efforts to secure just treatment for all workers (Source: USCCB).

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (8-18-19)
Bringing Home the Word (8-18-19)

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Pastor’s Note
About This Week’s Message