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A Statement from Father Woods on the Death of George Floyd
Like all Americans and people of other nations, the parishioners of St. Mary’s have been horrified and deeply impacted by the brutal death of George Floyd at the hand of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin. We weep for him, his family, the African American community and for our nation that continues to struggle with what former President Barack Obama once called our original sin of racism.
Countless programs have and continue to be recommended and implemented, strategies made, protests organized, and debates held, but the reality of racism continues to haunt us as a people. While many of these efforts have been good, from my perspective as a priest and now pastor of St. Mary’s Parish, the path that offers me hope is that of following the words of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, Love the Lord with your whole mind and heart, and your neighbor as yourself. All the great religions of the world have a similar code. Jesus brings it home to us with his words: what you do to the least of my brothers and sisters you do to me. You cannot be a follower of Christ and a racist. Only the relentless amazing grace of God can change hearts. We can only overcome this original sin by recognizing our sin and turning to God.- Fr. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R.
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