People’s History: A final reflection
I cannot thank you enough for being a part of the People’s History of Vatican II project with Call To Action. It has been an incredible two years of phone calls, local gatherings, and video calls! Through 130+ written submissions, four gatherings, many one-on-one interviews, and eight published reflections, we have connected with over 200 people across our intergenerational Call To Action community. Each of these conversations was grounded in a commitment to remembering the monumental moment of Vatican II, and to seeding that era’s wisdom into the current movement for Church reform.
Students and elders alike have been reminded of the Second Vatican Council's invitation to deep transformation. We continue to recount the radical shifts of openness towards ecumenical dialogue, the theological affirmation of our conscience, and acknowledgment of our innate holiness and worth.
Most moving to me was witnessing this transformation embodied by our elders. From disrupting an unjust status quo to speaking prophetically about anti-racism, women's ordination, and a little more self-love, our elders are faithfully critical and unapologetically Catholic. Enspirited by the pastoral nature of the Second Vatican Council, many folks express a desire to live the Gospel in its fullest expression. In multiple gatherings we recognized that if we proclaim that we are the church “then good heavens, we better act like it.” We must be church in the world — amongst one another and within ourselves.
The common questions remain: But, how? How do we continue to embody the fullness of our Catholic faith in a modern world? What does it mean to question the moral grounds of our tradition, to be community in a global pandemic, to confront and denounce white supremacy? Where is the Spirit calling, healing, and leading?
We offer all of this and more for you to ponder in prayer and/or with your CTA chapter.
At this time, we leave this project in your hands! If you are interested in hosting your own gathering, facilitating conversations, or sharing your own lived experience, we invite you to check out this facilitation resource! You can also revisit some of our past reflections on the Elders webpage. Please feel free to reach out to Abby at abby@cta-usa.org with any lingering comments, questions, or concerns.
Finally this project was made possible by countless donors, especially Call To Action Chicago’s BVM Sisters and their generous grant. Consider donating to Call To Action’s continuing efforts to inspire Catholics and transform the church.
In gratitude and with love,
Kascha Sanor
People’s History intern
