A Beautiful Community Forum

When Bishop Michael Pfeifer, O.M.I. opened last night’s community forum with St. Francis’ Peace Prayer, I knew we were in for a beautiful evening. Throughout the night, candidates and citizens shared open, respectful comments concerning their hopes and dreams for the City of San Angelo.

Of special interest to this group was Peace Ambassador Rashda Khan noting the real need for sidewalks, especially around neighborhoods and parks, and advocating support for a very democratic and highly-used institution, the Public Library. Samuel Green of the Peace Ambassador’s book club, the Faith Club, asked that dignity, courtesy, and unity be watchwords for all citizens. Peace Ambassador Ara Rahman received applause after encouraging City leaders to represent ALL citizens of all faiths, all colors, all shapes, and all sizes and thanked Bishop Mike for founding and supporting the Peace Ambassadors. She, too, agreed with Rashda and suggested a Mayor’s Book Club with emphasis on education. Peace Ambassador Ami Mizell-Flint was also present, stayed late to visit with candidates, and then posted a story for the Standard-Times.

Bishop Mike closed the evening by commenting that many citizens requested attention to City infrastructure, and that he, too, was concerned about infrastructure, but of a different sort. He encouraged development of “infrastructure of the heart” to build a better San Angelo understanding we are all children of one, loving God. Bishop Mike advocated for collaboration to make us a strong community, a polis of God – a City of God - with polis being the Greek root of words such as politics and political. He affirmed use of power for the common good, respect for different views and perspectives, and listening.