Holy Week Reflection on the Death Penalty

Apr 9, 2017

by Gabino Zavala, Justice and Peace Director
Recently it was reported that the state of Arkansas is planning to execute eight inmates over 10 days. These executions will begin on Easter Monday when the Christian community celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The impetus of this unprecedented action is fueled by the desire to use up its supply of a controversial execution drug known for causing botched executions before it expires at the end of April.
Lent is a time for us to work on mercy and justice in our lives. As we begin Holy Week and journey the way of the cross with Jesus we enter into prayerful reflection on the suffering and death of our Lord. Jesus was judged to be guilty and was executed at the hands of the state. I invite you during this Lenten season to join in prayerful reflection and contemplation on the death penalty.
The death penalty is an ineffective, cruel and simplistic response to the serious and complex problem of violent crime. It institutionalizes discrimination against the poor and people of color, diverting attention and financial resources away from preventative measures that would actually increase public safety. The death penalty risks the execution of innocent people, and does not deter crime.
On this Good Friday, Jesus who was executed by the state speaks to us and tells us to kill no more. It is part of the sanctity and respect for life vision that flows from Catholic Social Teaching on the dignity of each person. Let us spend time in prayer and reflection this week on our Precious Blood Corporate Stance Against the Death Penalty. Let us stand with the victims of violence and also with those on our death rows and their families. We are called to preach justice and mercy on behalf of victims and the perpetrators of these horrendous crimes.

The Kansas City Province Corporate Stance Against the Death Penalty

Motivated by the Blood of Christ and called to be ministers of reconciliation, the Society of the Precious Blood, Kansas City Province, reaffirms its belief in the sacredness of life and thereby takes this position that capital punishment is wrong. To put these words into action, we encourage our priests, brothers and companions of the Society of the Precious Blood to engage in activities which will end the death penalty in those states where it is still used and to work toward the goal of ending this type of sentence in our nation. Whenever and wherever it is deemed appropriate, we encourage our members to preach justice and mercy on behalf of the victim and perpetrator of such horrendous crimes.

Companions Join the Community Life Discussions

Apr 7, 2017

by Vicky Otto, Companions Co-director
Companions throughout both Provinces have been interested in the ongoing discussions that the members have had regarding envisioning the future for the community. In February, Companions throughout the Kansas City Province were invited to enter into the conversations to offer their input on what authentic community living means to them as well as envisioning what the fullest participation of Companions in communal life and apostolic work may look like. This information gathered from the Companion groups will be incorporated into the final report that will be presented at the Community Life Symposium in Rome in July.
Utilizing the same materials that the members were given the Companions shared positive experiences about what authentic community living means to them. Some of the common experiences shared were the experience of the respect and acceptance of thoughts and feelings, that diverse people come together offering support and care for each other, that everyone’s gifts were celebrated and that one of the most important values for authentic community was that there was always a sense that one was never alone, there was support both in good and in bad times.
The Companions embraced the idea of sharing their hopes and dreams for the community for the future and reflecting upon the readings offered by Saint Gaspar. The groups affirmed that the bond of charity that was reflected in the readings must be the cornerstone of any action into the future. Groups discussed that it is important to embrace the future in whatever aspect it may take to make something new, not to reconstruct their vision of what the Church or community was like in the past.
The Companions unanimously agreed that the future must include lay people and members working together in apostolic works. Everyone also agreed that the as we move into the future we need to support new visions and be creative about what community may look like ensuring that all the different sites of apostolic work throughout the Province were embraced.
The Companion groups in the Province will continue to participate in the four planned conversations over the next several months leading up to the Provincial Assembly in June.
 

Cesar Chavez Day Remembers Him as an Advocate for the Poor

Apr 3, 2017

by Gabino Zavala, Justice and Peace Director
 Friday March 31st was Cesar Chavez Day. Most of us know Chavez as an advocate for migrant farmworkers. Did you know that it was his Catholic faith that drove his unyielding commitment to improving conditions for the poor?
It was a Catholic priest that Chavez met who ministered to Mexican American migrant workers who ignited his lifelong passion. The priest shared with Chavez about the Catholic social teachings on the rights of workers. According to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults Chavez said, “I would do anything to get Father to tell me more about labor history. I began going to the bracero (guest worker) camps with him to help with the Mass, to the city jails to talk with the prisoners, anything to be with him.”
Chavez’s work includes founding the United Farmworkers union, as well as staging a massive consumer boycott of table grapes, in which he asked the Bishops of the United States to support the boycott. Chavez once said, “I am convinced that the truest act of courage is to sacrifice ourselves for others in a totally non-violent struggle for justice.”