This Sunday is Racial Justice Sunday

This Sunday, The Fifth Sunday of the Year, is Racial Justice Sunday, a day kept by other Christians too. An optional Second Collection may be taken this weekend for the Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ).

The theme for this year is “All are included in the mission of Christ and His Church. Let us walk together, pray together and work together.” It reflects the role each of us must play in promoting the mission of Christ and His Church. This was inspired by conversations around last year’s Racial Justice Sunday and Pope Francis’ visit to Canada in July 2022 when he spoke about looking towards a future of ‘Justice, healing and reconciliation’. Here is a prayer that can be used: God of our past, present and future, you created each one of us in your image and likeness, help us to recognise you in each person. As we pray for end to suffering caused by racism, lead us this day to walk with one another, pray with one another and work together, so that we create a future based on justice and healing, where all can fulfil the hope you have for all peoples. We ask this through Christ our Lord. CARJ have produced a series of A4 PDF posters, that can be downloaded, featuring Our Lady and the Child Jesus from a diverse cross-section of countries and cultures. Although by no means exhaustive, this series is meant to highlight the rich diversity of the Catholic community and to encourages reflection on how we are all made in the image of God. The posters also carry a prayer taken from Pope Francis’ Fratelli Tutti. For these posters, click here.