Parishes and schools in the diocese were among those participating in actions to show support for the Nov. 22-23 protest targeting the closure of the U.S. Army’s training school at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.

Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Rocklin, St. Rose of Lima Parish in Roseville, St. Ignatius Parish in Sacramento and Divine Savior Parish in Orangevale commemorated the 1989 deaths of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter in El Salvador in the weeks leading up to the protest event. All four parishes created shrines displaying martyrs’ pictures, crosses signifying their sacrifice and flowers to symbolize hope for the future.

Salvatorian Father Thomas Tureman, pastor of Divine Savior, said the shrines recalled martyrs who “took a stand for justice and remind us that we must do the same if we are to really respond to the gospel message...to be strong in our faith and promote justice in our world.”

Darcy Wharton, a member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, coordinated an information night focused on the national protest at Fort Benning for 200 youth in the parish prior to the three-day protest. The program included a presentation by parishioner Denise Johnston who shared her personal experience at the national protest last year which she attended with a delegation from Jesuit High School in Carmichael.

Janice Freeman, a member of St. Francis Parish in Sacramento, was lead organizer of a rally and prayer vigil held in Sacramento Nov. 11 at Capitol Park. Speakers at the event included Father Gerald Ryle, pastor of St. Christopher Parish in Galt, Sister of Social Service Catherine Connell, co-founder of Wellspring Women’s Center in Sacramento, and Georgia Lyga, former diocesan social justice director.

One week after the Sacramento rally, Freeman traveled to Fort Benning to join in the protest actions held outside the Army-run school’s gates.

Her activities including performing as a soloist at a Mass celebrated during the Ignatian Family Teach-In, an informational session which brought together students and teachers from Jesuit high schools and universities across the nation.

Among those attending the event was a delegation of Jesuit High School students and teachers.

A mock funeral procession to Fort Benning on the final day of the annual protest proved to be the most memorable and moving experience for Freeman. She was selected to join musicians on stage to sing, and then led in calling out the names of the Jesuit martyrs and others whose deaths are linked to the former School of the Americas.

“Sunday was like one long prayer for me from beginning to end,” said Freeman, who recalled looking out over an ocean of people holding crosses. “It was a prayer that didn’t stop.”

Also in attendance at Fort Benning was Saints Peter and Paul parishioner Marge Wood, who attended the protest with her husband and two children.

“The essence of Christian activism is found in seeking truth, living in peace, and working for justice,” Wood said.

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