"If you want peace, work for justice.”
...Pope Paul VI

Open to all the people of Saint Paul Cathedral Parish to help the parish embrace the opportunities and challenges of Pope John Paul II in his Jubilee call to Spiritual Revitalization and Social Justice.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group of Saint Paul Cathedral Parish is the promotion of a just society, human dignity and equality for all people before God and one another. Our goal is to promote unity among diverse races and cultures, facilitated by prayerful reflection, education, dialogue and socialization.
Initial Motivation Formed in response to the 1996 Pastoral Letter of Bishop Donald Wuerl “Confronting Racism Today” (reissued and revised in 1999) challenging us to embrace diversity and see racism for the sin it is.

Program

• Special Presentations in conjunction with other Parishes, Churches, Synagogues, and other Houses of Worship.
• Sunday Afternoon Forum Series with knowledgeable Pittsburgh area speakers and response panels presenting ideas and opinion followed by questions and discussion.
• Brief columns in the Parish Bulletin informing parishioners of happenings in the areas of race and reconciliation.
• Occasional large lectures with important national speakers.
• Exploration with other groups of a Parish Newsletter.
• Spiritual retreats built around social justice issues.
• A parish celebration of diversity.
  
  Development of parish greeters to welcome people to Mass, to the parish and to opportunities for taking part in parish life.

Events

Race/Reconciliation, Pitt Hold Post-Election Forum - Whatever the results on Nov 4th, many questions remain on the impact of race on the ’08 presidential election. Our parishioners are fortunate that Cathedral's Race & Reconciliation Dialogue Group has teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Race and Social Problems to host a forum on the election and race next Sunday, November 9 from 1:30-3:30. The event will be held on the Pitt campus at the Center for Race Conference Center, 20th floor, Cathedral of Learning. Speaking will be Dennis B. Roddy, staff writer and political writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette who will share his experiences in the '08 presidential campaign. Dr, Larry E. Davis, Dean of the Social Work School giving the welcome and introduction.

This unique opportunity is open to Cathedral and other parishioners and to the public in general. Light refreshments will be served. According to James V. Cunningham, professor emeritus of Pitt and R & R member who is spearheading the forum, "This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the background of one of the most extraordinary elections in US history. And it's a perfect example of collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh and our community endeavors. We’re hoping parish members take advantage of this unique event." For more information on the forum call 412-681-8528.

Newsletters

Brothers and Sisters, Newsletter of the Race & Reconciliation Dialogue Group - Vol. 4 No. 3 - September 2008

Things to Reflect On

Suggestions for Addressing Racism - This link will lead you to a list of suggestions for ways which the sin of racism can be addressed in ourselves, our Parish, and our community.

White Privileges - This link will lead you to a list of “privileges” which white Americans unconsciously expect as “due course,” without reflecting that this is not the reality for everyone.

Group Committees

Steering Committee
This committee develops the general programs and activities of the Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group.

Communication Committee
The Mission of the Communications Committee is to develop and implement a plan to publicize the work of the group; to focus on giving visibility to the events and programs of the group; to work with the Parish Bulletin and Web Site Committees; to assist in the development of flyers and newsletters that address the activities of the group for the Parish.

Forum Committee
This committee is charged with the responsibility of organizing and presenting the Sunday Afternoon Forum Series.

Greeters Committee
This committee is responsible for training and coordinating a group of volunteer greeters at Parish functions.

We Need Your Involvement

We are searching for new ideas/programs to increase the vitality and interest of parishioners in Justice and Reconciliation. If you have suggestions or wish to join please contact a member of the organizing committee:

E-mail:

Saint Paul Cathedral Parish
Race and Reconciliation Dialogue Group

Phone

Jim Cunningham 412-683-2651

Marian Bamonte, Gail Campbell, Doreen Cosentino, Rosemary D’Ascenzo, Gerry Gasparerlla, John Hannigan, Helena Hughes, Hermie Illera, Cathy Irvis, Mary Lue Lane, Doris LaPietra, Ja’Nice McTier, Dorothy Miller, Grace Morrissey, Charles Scott, Cecile Springer, Loretta Stana, Evelyn Kitchen-Stevens, Christina Valdes, Terri Watson

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