RIDGEFIELD—Since the pandemic began, Msgr. Kevin Royal, pastor of St. Mary Parish in Ridgefield, has been sending a “Keeping Us Connected” newsletter to update parishioners along with a video spiritual reflection on matters of faith.
This week he turned the tables and asked long-time St. Mary’s parishioners Ben and Janie Nneji to discuss their experience as African-Americans living in Ridgefield.
“Ben and Janie are people of prayer and hope, and live with a great serenity and faith. Their brief video helps give a little insight into their experiences,” says Msgr. Royal in his introduction to parishioners.
Msgr. Royal began his questions by asking the Nnejis to discuss their experience as African Americans living in a town of approximately 25,000, when just over 1 percent are black.
The couple, who are the parents of four children and have lived in Ridgefield for over 22 years, said they love the town and the parish, but they have occasionally experienced racial profiling. When Ben was teaching his daughter to drive around the neighborhood, a resident called the police on them. When his daughter was walking to school one day, a car slowed to hurl a racial slur at her. Janie, a minister’s daughter and a convert who grew up in white neighborhoods, said that people she meets in groups often assume that she doesn’t live in Ridgefield.
Ben, who is a native of Nigeria, believes we need to better understand who immigrants are as human beings. “Get to know the other” he says, before making judgements. “The face of God is love,” says Janie who believes faith communities can heal divisions.
In his online bulletin Msgr. Royal says, “Knowing one another’s lives and struggles is a step toward reconciliation and unity. I know the topic can make us uncomfortable, but it’s well worth the attention and soul searching regardless of political affiliation.”
He sent parishioners a link to an audio decade of a rosary for racial reconciliation, and a video of an interview with Latasha Morrison who speaks to the issue from a Gospel perspective.
“As if a pandemic and its related issues were not worrisome enough, our country is once again in the midst of turmoil as racial division and tensions flare up over the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer,” says Msgr. Royal.
So what can a parish do? What can it contribute?
“Long wordy statements are important, but for me, as a pastor of souls, they are insufficient. For us as a local parish and members of the Body of Christ, a few things for today. Chaos and anarchy are never good for anyone, whereas prayer, truth, soul searching, solidarity, conversion, and repentance are always beneficial,” he says.
Msgr. Royal urges parishioners and people of good will to try to “understand each other’s live so along with people of good will trying to “understand each other’s lives, to discern just systems and unjust systems; to participate in right, just and challenging protesting,” and to resist the temptations of hatred and division that deny our common humanity and being saved together.
“As a pastor of souls, a priest trying to follow the heart and mind of Jesus the Good Shepherd, I urge all of us to shun such temptation Let’s ask the Lord to give us light, truth, and courage. And may our Blessed Mother intercede for her children “in this vale of tears.”
Click here to read Msgr. Royal’s letter and view the video.
Click here for the video link.
