A PROVEN FOUNDATION FOR FRUITFUL MINISTRY
CONGRESS X PLAN OF ACTION
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, S.S.J.
President of the Board of Trustees
(Article: Page 6 of 19)
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 The Sacrament of Reconciliation contributes to the process of
eradicating racism. Obligatory when we have broken the bonds of fellowship through grave sin, it is also a healing remedy when our actions have frayed those bonds. Experiencing divine mercy helps us to extend forgiveness toward others. Otherwise the petition, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," becomes a very dangerous prayer indeed (cf. Matthew 6:12,14-15). Harboring a reluctance to forgive will internalize bitterness and cause us to make wrong choices.
Reconciliation means the process of establishing right relationships. It begins when the offender owns up to his actions and corrects his behavior. It continues when the person who was offended gives the offender the chance to be reconciled. Offering mercy is not giving permission for someone to continue to engage in destructive behavior. Rather, it gives a person the opportunity to act in ways consonant with her dignity and that of her neighbor.
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick teaches us how to provide a compassionate response to people suffering from
H.I.V. and/or A.I.D.S. and to their families, friends, and caregivers. Those who suffer from this disease do not need to experience isolation from the People of God. Social stigma contradicts Gospel teaching. The presence of members of the Church demonstrates that God and His people have not abandoned those who are sick. Together we pray to God for healing, which can be experienced in many ways.
The Sacraments of Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders speak in particular to our
youth and young adults, as they consider the distinctive vocation that God calls them to fulfill. Our youth and young adults are members of the Church today. How we minister to them--and invite them to join in the work of the ministry--will have an impact upon the Church in the future. Whether through
Catholic Schools, parish religious education programs, youth ministries, neighborhood outreaches, mentoring programs, rites of passage programming, etc., Black Catholics are anxious to minister to our younger generations.
As our young people move from adolescence to young adulthood, they seek to forge their personal identities. This includes issues of faith and membership in the Church. Many young adults are singles. It has been a challenge in the Church as a whole to develop effective ministries that support young adults and singles.
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