Our brother Rich Zelik, OFM Cap., led a Prayer Service for Racial Justice on Friday, July 24, 2020. When the Parish of Our Lady of Mt Carmel discussed having a Parish Prayer Service on Racial Justice, Franciscan Sr. Patricia Mahoney, OSF, Associate Director for Pastoral and Social Outreach for the parish suggested that our brother Rich be asked to lead it and offer the homily for the event.
Fr. Rich has a number of family members (immediate and extended) belonging to the Parish in Pittsburgh PA's North Hills consisting of a cluster of churches brought together through the impetus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh with a desire to better serve the local communities. Fr. Rich also has family members who have grown to know racial j
ustice and have “walked the talk” – so to speak – both in the area and in various parts of the USA. Many of them asked if it could be videoed and made available for their viewing, and the Parish obliged.
As our confere reiterates in his presentation: “Institutional racism is just as present as the Covid virus. We don't see the virus, but it's being addressed as an illness. Institutional racism is not always seen, but it's just as present and needs to be addressed as a social illness.”
Fr. Rich's homily for the service begins at 21:20 on the video. You can voice your thoughts on his presentation by following Vimeo's share links.
Prayer Service for Racial Justice - Our Lady of Mount Carmel from Scott Witalis Photography on Vimeo.