Wear orange this weekend
SMOS Gun Sense Team
~ Six years ago, an event that happened just two doors down from my home became the reason why I ultimately joined the Gun Sense steering committee. Tragically, two police officers were shot, and one lost his life. During the standoff that followed, my family and I had to take shelter for hours in our basement. While the experience was traumatic for all of us, it was especially difficult for my daughter, who was six years old at the time. Months later, she told me she was afraid of potential intruders in the neighborhood because of the loud noises and constant sirens that are so familiar around our South City home. Hearing that from my daughter was heartbreaking.
It wasn’t until the next year, when I received a call from a fellow parishioner at St. Margaret of Scotland, that I became involved in our parish’s committee. Through this group, we have been able to make a meaningful impact across our Archdiocese by promoting gun violence prevention efforts regionally. We helped organize an Archdiocesan summit, worked to distribute gun locks to every parish, coordinated ecumenically with congregations of other faiths, and provided resources to those navigating the tragedies and lasting effects of gun violence in their communities.
There is still much more work to do. On the weekend of June 6-7th, the SMOS community will come together to honor survivors and build community with those working to end gun violence during Wear Orange Weekend. We encourage you to wear orange to Mass to pray for all of us affected.
For those who hope to help prevent these senseless tragedies and build safer communities, our Gun Sense steering committee at Saint Margaret’s would welcome your support and involvement.
During the Summer months, this column will be highlighting the good work and parishioners involved in one of our various Social Justice Ministries. Each week, we will feature an article from a different ministry, written by one if its members, as a reflection on the calling to Catholic Social Teaching at St. Margaret of Scotland.
