FutureChurch’s ‘Women Witnesses for Racial Justice’ event, celebrating Anna “Madre” Bates, at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Zoom
DATE AND TIME OF EVENT: May 11, 2021 at 7pm Eastern Time
Anna “Madre” Bates led a revolution of love in Detroit. In spite of racial segregation in Catholic Churches, and racist obstacles placed by those in authority to her mission of serving Black Catholics, she founded a mission and a parish, Our Lady of Victory. During this prayer service you will hear the witness of Black Catholic Women as they share the story of Anna “Madre” Bates and their own stories of facing racist obstacles as we pray, sing, and work together for racial and reparative justice in the Church and in the world.
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Witness
“[I hope the Church ordains women to the diaconate] to bring a wider witness and expression of God’s life, love, and presence to the people of God. Women’s voices and leadership will heal, encourage and empower the lives of men, women, and children. It will call forth a new understanding of church vocation and enrich Catholic family life.”
Deedee Van Dyke
Catholic Chaplain, Joliet, IL
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Witness
“The first Apostle was a woman, Mary Magdalena. She continues to remain a tower of strength for women in ministry today. If more women were ordained to the diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church, I believe we would have more meaningful and spiritually enriching homilies, and our liturgies would embrace and welcome all to the Eucharistic table.”
Sonja Grace
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Witness
“If I was ordained as a deacon, it would not be a means to an end, but rather it would be a continual invitation to a deeper and broader journey with Christ. Deacons are asked to become outwardly more visible as hands in service to the Church. To respond to such a vocation would be a treasure, a deepening of my inner faith life enriched by the outward experiences of ministry and service. Both the inner and outer journey become a longing to seek and know the Christ we are called to serve.”
Nina Laubach
Student, MDiv program at Princeton Theological Seminary
