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June 4, 2020

Dear Catholic School Communities,

As the Superintendent of 19 wonderfully diverse schools, and more importantly, a teacher who is called to form our students into their very best relationship with God, I would be remiss if I did not address in some fashion the tragedy of George Floyd’s death which has enveloped us all in anger, confusion, and even fear. As we are created in the image and likeness of God, our humanity deserves to be protected and celebrated. Our ultimate goal on earth is to glorify God in all we do, so as to be happy with Him in heaven. Our actions as students, teachers, family members, citizens of the United States- in every vocation and job held must exist to glorify God and all His creation. To hurt, to enslave, to murder, to abuse, to undervalue, to unjustly imprison all attack the inviolability of human life. We have a responsibility to recognize these injustices and act on them in a peaceful way that teaches our students the innate value and dignity of their own selves in order to understand the value and dignity of every citizen- whether they know them or not. To be a human being is to deserve to be protected. To be a human being is to protect those who cannot protect themselves.

It is therefore a service of love which we are all committed to ensure to our neighbor, that his or her life may be always defended and promoted, especially when it is weak or threatened. It is not only a personal but a social concern which we must all foster: a concern to make unconditional respect for human life the foundation of a renewed society (John Paul II. Encyclical Letter “Evangelium Vitae” (The Gospel of Life): Of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, to the Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, Men and Women Religious, Lay Faithful, and All People of Good Will on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life. Pauline Books and Media, 1995).

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