There are no coincidences
My son, Jack Shockley, was brutally shot and killed while sitting in his car eating breakfast on August 12, 2020. He was targeted. There was no robbery. No words were exchanged. Jack did not know his killer and his killer did not know him. These are facts that were adjudicated in a trial that ended with a conviction of murder.
The young man who killed Jack was born into a family that was involved in the most notorious gang in Indianapolis. That was what he knew and that was what he brought in the moment of rage when he encountered Jack. The summer of 2020 is called the summer of racial reckoning. The murder of George Floyd by police ignited an awareness and an outrage at the racial disparities that still exist in our society. Disparities that result in generation after generation of poverty and hopelessness. As one volunteer violence interrupter told me, those circumstances can result in young people who believe they have nothing to live for and are not afraid to die. Hurt people hurt people.
Shortly after Jack died, my husband Steve and I were invited to an Advent service at the Catholic Center where loved ones who died that year were honored and prayed for. It was beautiful and we left with Archbishop Thompson’s blessing and a candle with Jack’s name on it. As we left that evening, we passed five paintings of African Americans our Church is honoring for their heroic witness to our faith. The paintings were stunning, and we took the prayer cards for each of them.
That was the night I met Venerable Father Augustus Tolton. He spoke to me that night and continues to speak to me every day. He comforts me in my grief. He gives me courage when I feel weak. At Mass, I pray for him to intercede for the healing of my granddaughter’s brain tumor. Nora and Father Tolton both need a miracle, and I believe God brings good from the suffering of those wo trust and surrender.
Father Tolton speaks into the divisions of our time. His endurance, his love in the face of persecution—even persecution of our Church—is the steadfast example we need today. When shunned, he persevered. When hated for his race, he grew in love. He ministered to all races in the face of segregation. He showed by his example that God is stronger than our sin. That God is the victor.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
In December 2021, I gave Forrest Tucker—my friend and, as it turned out, a gifted sculptor—Father Tolton’s prayer card at a blood drive held in Jack’s honor. I shared that I believed Father Tolton could help bring Christ to those struggling in our inner city. Those abandoned and left behind, even by our Church. Souls who are being lost to violence and despair.
While giving blood in Jack’s honor and meditating on Father Tolton’s prayer, Forrest had a vision of a work of art. The result is the beautiful sculpture that shows Father Tolton comforting a mother and child with the love of Christ. Father Tolton speaks. Jack’s sacrifice matters.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Jack continues his peacemaking through a charitable foundation created in his name, Jack Shockley Warriors for Peace. Father Tolton continues to speak to my heart, encouraging me to go into the unknown with my dear husband, Steve; our son, Peter; our daughter, Grace, and her husband, Brandon; my sister, Aunt Terri; and a host of Jack’s friends and a growing community of Warriors for Peace. We pick up our Cross and journey together, one step at a time, trusting and growing in God’s loving Providence.
When leaving the Catholic Center that evening and picking up the prayer cards, I thought I was choosing Father Tolton. It turns out that, through Jack’s introduction, Father Tolton was choosing me.
Prayer to Father Tolton for Racial Healing
Fr. Josh Johnson
Lord Jesus Christ, in your name and through your power, I ask that you pour forth your Precious Blood over me so that no demonic forces or strongholds may accuse, condemn, confuse, or discourage me with their lies. I ask that you bind any spirits of division, hatred, violence, indifference, and racism. Blessed Mother, Mary most holy, wrap me in your mantle of love. St. Joseph, terror of demons, surround me with your cloak of protection. St. Michael the Archangel, guard me with your shield so that I may remain fixed on the gaze of my heavenly Father who sees me, knows me, delights in me, loves me, and calls me by name to console the heart of Jesus by working for reformation and reconciliation, in the racially divided body of Christ. Legions of angels under the command of Blessed Mary Virgin, intercede for me so that I may be inspired and encouraged to imitate the apostles who received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and went out to make disciples of all nations, races, tribes, and tongues. All you saints of heaven, plead before the throne of God for me, my family, my loved ones, and every member in the geographical boundaries of my parish that we may be protected from the snares of the enemy as we pray, fast, and work together to heal the racial divide in the United States of America. Amen.
Venerable Fr. Tolton, pray for us!