Dear Mount Saint Mary Academy Community,
At the foundation of Mount Saint Mary Academy and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, are the following core values: justice, compassion, integrity, respect, and service. The way in which we practice and model these principles is not only rooted in Catholic social teachings, but also in our on-going commitment to honor, and empathize with, those around us. Rather than emphasizing the dichotomies, dissimilarities, and differentiation among individuals -- portrayed by the media and perpetuated in society’s culture – the Mount strives to build a community that respects such differences and encourages all students to grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually.
With this in mind, I am sharing a compilation of multimedia resources entitled
Catholic Resources for Racial Justice 2020. This collection includes reflections from Catholic leaders around the world, prayers, informative panels, books, and much more. This information serves as a starting point for developing an understanding of racism through the lens of Catholicism. The significance of this source serves as a reminder that this work cannot be composed into a simple checklist; it is continuous and does not end. In the words of the foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, Venerable Catherine McAuley, “We strive to do good today and better tomorrow.” I invite you to take time to read and reflect on these resources.
Our hope is to generate meaningful, compassionate, and respectful dialogue around these sensitive and important issues. Let’s move forward together, listening to one another, speaking our truths respectfully. Multi-generational conversations can help us learn from one another. We best learn by listening and speaking in an atmosphere of trust and of concern for one another. Let us be grateful that God has gifted us with each other.
Before justice can be practiced, we must understand how to be of service to others seeking fairness. To perform service, however, it is important to practice integrity. These values are embedded in our everyday expressions of compassion and respect. The interconnecting relationships between us are imperative for building upon the Sisterhood of Mount Saint Mary Academy.
In Mercy,
S. Lisa D. Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S., Directress