Martin Niemoller (1892 – 1984) was the Lutheran Pastor who wrote:
 
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— 
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

 
An early supporter of Adolph Hitler’s “Third Reich”, Neimoller later denounced the Nazi regime, becoming an outspoken adversary of Nazi rhetoric and practices.  He spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in prison camps. 
 
This quote epitomizes the best response to those who choose to do or say nothing in the face of evil, social injustice, and cultural, ethnic, racial or sexual intolerance and hatred.  It says we are all in this – no matter the struggle; no matter the cause – together.  Dr. King expressed the same sentiment when he said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”
 
Our Lady of Consolation Church may sometimes seem a small pebble in the vast “lake” of Catholicism in Charlotte.  The vibration that we make, collectively, when we hit the water can be tremendously powerful.  And there are some vibrations – some messages – that must be brought by us.  BLACK LIVES MATTER is just such a message!
 
As we ponder the purpose of Christ in our lives through the Eucharist during the Congress and as we think about the sacredness and sanctity of the gift of life…let’s also be reminded that if all life is truly sacred, then surely…BLACK LIVES MATTER, too.
 
Our communities, our people and our children – Catholic, protestant, Muslim – need us to speak and to act…to show up to tell their stories and to represent those who cannot speak or are tired of standing alone.  Not in protest – but in solidarity for that which is right!
 

B L A C K   L I V E S   M A T T E R!

Buildings/Facilities Commission

Buildings/Facilities Commission

Commission Chair - 
Willis Joseph - 704-568-3813
 
“Worthy of special respect and praise in the Church are the laity, single or married, who, in a
definitive way or for a period, put their person and their professional competence at the service of  institutions and their activities. It is a great joy to the Church to see growing day by day the number of lay people who are offering the personal service to associations and works of the apostolate,….” 34
 

• This commission inspects and inventories all parish properties, equipment, furnishings and facilities; it reviews and recommends needed additions, repairs, replacements and servicing, to be actuated, if needed, under a schedule to be submitted with the recommendation for the work. 
• It discerns the use of parish talent where safety and performance do not require the use professional services.
• It prepares and recommends policies or guidelines to the parish pastoral council for the use of parish facilities, including security, utilities, services, and personnel. It is responsible to publish the approved guidelines.  
• It prepares and recommends, in coordination with the other commissions, facility plans and improvements. 
• It reviews parish insurance needs and makes suggestions with special reference to diocesan policies. 
• It must prepare, carry out, and evaluate a yearly action plan based on the long range goals set by the parish pastoral council (in conjunction with all the commissions) as part of the parish pastoral plan 
• It is responsible to prepare and propose to the parish pastoral council an annual budget for those supplies, equipment, and expenses necessary to carry out that plan.