Ministry Spotlight

Race & Culture

September 2026

“THAT THEY ALL MAY BE ONE” (Jn 17:21)

This has been the motto of the St. Thomas Aquinas Race & Culture Committee, since its inception in 2017.  STA has always been a leader in racial equity concerns, and this committee strives to lead our parish community in learning about social justice issues, especially those affecting African Americans.  We uphold the STA slogan of “God’s People in Extraordinary Variety . . . A Caring Community”

Our 19 members are passionate about racial equity.  We question “How can we carry forth the STA ideals into our individual communities?” “How can we make all People of Color feel welcome at STA?” “How can our school students be prepared to engage in a multicultural world?”  We try to answer these and other questions with our programs.

“How Can We Attract More People of Color?” became The Speaker Series

In 2025, parishioners indicated that they wanted to hear about Race Relations and the Catholic Church.  The Speaker Series was born.  On September 18, 2026, we will host the Honorable Judge Tanya Walton Pratt, in Part 2 of our Series, entitled “Race in the Catholic Church”.  Parishioners and friends are encouraged to RSVP here:

In April 2026, Part 1 of the Speaker Series featured Dr. Darren Davis, speaking on his research findings of “Racial Diversity in the Catholic Church”.

“How Can We Explore Black Catholic Identity?” became a letter writing campaign to the Vatican to plead the case of  the Six African Americans on the Path to Sainthood (currently there are Seven).  After this effort, portraits of the Saintly Six were gifted from the Archdiocese and were placed in our Narthex hallway.

“How Can We Explore African American History?” became programs on Juneteenth  featuring Attorney Fay Williams, and the “through2eyes” Walk & Talk history tour with Sampson Levingston. 

“How Can We Engage Our Parish Members in Conversation About Shared Cultures?” became Diversity Dinners, one featuring the Fr. Dan Horan Video “A Catholic Response To Racism”.  Another Diversity Dinner “Explored White Nationalism” with Reverend Joseph A. Brown, SJ, Ph.D.

“How Can We Educate Our Parish Family on Race Relations?”  “How can we promote a spirit of diversity and inclusion?” became various book discussions.

“How Can We Atone for Racial Injustices?” led to Paula Brooks speaking on Environmental Racism.  A Lenten Racial Equity Calendar was developed for the Parish & School.  A parish Lenten favorite has become the Racial Equity Stations of the Cross, followed by a Lenten Supper & Discussion.

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Would YOU like to continue the history of St. Thomas Aquinas by going against the grain?  Please join us. We meet by Zoom on the fourth Tuesdays of the month from 7-8:30 pm (8 meetings per year). If you wish to learn more, contact: Patrice Payne, patricejpayne@gmail.com or Karla Hudecek, khudecek@staindy.org

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support of our mission.  And thank you for the opportunity to share highlights of the Race & Culture Committee.

Future Programming

  • Saturday 11/21/25 – “Spotlight on Haiti” Diversity Dinner – after the 5:30 Mass
  • Part 3 – Speaker Series – Discussion Panel on Concerns of Marginalized Communities
  • Exploration of Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Enslavement of Africans
  • Parish Book Study “Black & Catholic: Racism, Identity, and Religion” by Tia Noelle Pratt
  • Parish baseball outing

Additional Racial Equity Resources can be viewed at this site:  https://www.staindy.org/church/race-relations-resources/

A Prayer for Racial Healing

(Recited monthly at the weekend Masses)

God our Father, we praise and worship you.  We ask for forgiveness for our judgemental nature, our unconscious bias.  We pray that our faith in you helps us to overcome all racial divisions.  Jesus, our Savior, you were constantly judged by others.  Help us to follow you by denying ourselves, and carrying the cross of our brothers and sisters who are treated unfairly.  Holy Spirit, open our hearts and our minds to the needs of others.  Instill faith, hope and love, so that we may spread God’s kingdom on earth.  Guide us in honesty and truth, as we learn about one another.  Fill us with forgiveness and love.  That we all may be one.  Amen.

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