Responding to Fear with Love
BY CAROL AREND
01/18/2026On Tuesday morning (01-13-26) I joined several members of our parish community at the ICOM (Interfaith Coalition on Immigration) prayer vigil near the Whipple Building at Fort Snelling. I was apprehensive as this has been the site of some ugly clashes between federal authorities and protesters. I was not sure what to expect as I have only participated in one other rally/protest. This is not something I do often and is pretty far outside my comfort zone. It was a beautiful, overwhelming experience. There were people of all ages and races and religious beliefs. We prayed, we sang, we recited the Hail Holy Queen.
My political background is pretty conservative, in the old style of William F. Buckley, Jr. I cast my first presidential vote for Ronald Reagan. As a mother I grieve that my young adult children are living in the midst of all this hate. I give them so much credit for awakening me to the injustice all around us. Indeed, I am in awe of their kind and generous hearts and the way they stand with the oppressed.
I feel the need, as many of us do, to do something to fight this oppression and persecution of our neighbors and fellow Minnesotans. This was one thing I could do to say I don’t agree with what is happening around me and I stand with my immigrant brothers and sisters.
My heart is so heavy but I am leaning on the hope and the belief that love will prevail!
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About Carol Arend
Carol Arend is our Pastoral Care, Adult Faith Formation, and Marriage Preparation Coordinator. Carol grew up in this parish (when it was known as St. Luke) and has been working here since 2009. Carol and her husband, Mark, have three grown daughters, all of whom went through our St. Thomas More School.