Page 33 - June2021

Keeping the Faith Lodge 7 connection with churches can lead to unprecedented community growth
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Real community outreach – the kind that can really make communities safer – looks like what transpired at the House of Hope Church on the South Side a few weeks ago. Chicago Lodge 7 President John Catanzara addressed nearly 1,000 pastors and ministers from throughout Illinois gathered here for the launch of an initiative to invest in the church as a means to reduce crime. Or more succinctly, provide the church with the resourc- es to steer residents away from the path that leads to crime.
The clergy has come together under an enterprise known as Ramo Global Commerce. Ordained by the great Dr. Willie Wil- son, who is investing $500,000 of seed money in the venture, Ramo Global Commerce will sell products to the congregations of member churches and, more importantly, corporate Ameri- ca. Additionally, with the help of labor unions such as the Chi- cago FOP and Illinois FOP, Ramo will try to obtain state con- tracts that can provide revenue and jobs to fortify the effort.
“If anybody is going to get people to listen and keep the com- munity going, it’s going to be the churches,” declares Wilson, who has formed a close relationship with Lodge 7 that included endorsing him for his U.S. Senate run in 2020. “I hope the rela- tionship between us, the union and the corporations can help stop some of these people from becoming gang members, stop
some of the killing and stuff like that and bring economic re- sources to the community.”
Looking out at the sea of pastors and ministers who were mainly Hispanic, Asian and African American, Catanzara ac- knowledged a bit of trepidation speaking to such a group but noted how refreshing it was to be in a room with so many like-minded individuals. He did see some familiar faces, pastors and ministers who had attended meetings at the FOP hall last year when Wilson first suggested Lodge 7 reach out to the faith- based community about working together.
Catanzara quickly ingratiated the FOP to the cause with a message that conveyed significant hope to this house.
“If this corporation takes off like you want it to and becomes the entity you want it to, that in turn is going to make your church better, which will in turn make your community better, which will in turn make my officers’ working conditions better,” Catanzara sermonized.
He emphasized how the initiative can bring education and financial literacy to kids in these communities that will show them a better path than hanging out on street corners selling drugs. And though it might not be an easy endeavor, the Lodge is up for the opportunity.
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and improved working conditions for members
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