About
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
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
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
Statement from Mount Saint Mary Academy
Mount Saint Mary Academy’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is grounded in our identity as a Catholic institution. The Mercy Core Values of justice, compassion, integrity, respect, and service are the foundation of the lived experience at The Mount. Those values provide a foundation for our commitment to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive experience for our students. The Mount strives to create an environment that promotes a growth mindset as we equip our students with the skills required for success in the complex and rapidly changing world in which we live.
Statement by The Mercy Education Association
Mercy Education System of the Americas (MESA) stands in solidarity with those who have been shaken by the murder of George Floyd, the most recent victim in a tragic series of senseless violence against people of color. His death reminds us that racism remains a critical issue in our world today, and the ensuing violence that has erupted across the United States challenges us to strengthen our commitment to nonviolence. We stand with those who support and participate in peaceful protest, including religious, government and civic leaders and organizations that are working together to bring about nonviolent communication in service of unity.
We are all called to find ways to have courageous conversations that inspire graced actions to preserve the dignity of and respect for each human being.
As we struggle to come to terms with this situation and other recent acts of racism and violence, we know that as a Mercy educational system, we have a great responsibility to encourage open dialogue about race, anti-racism and nonviolence.
The ultimate measure of a [person] is not where [they] stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
We are all called to find ways to have courageous conversations that inspire graced actions to preserve the dignity of and respect for each human being.
As we struggle to come to terms with this situation and other recent acts of racism and violence, we know that as a Mercy educational system, we have a great responsibility to encourage open dialogue about race, anti-racism and nonviolence.
The ultimate measure of a [person] is not where [they] stand in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
Statement of The Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
The Institute Leadership Team of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas join with the many who grieve the recent killings of:
George Floyd, 46 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Ahmaud Arbery, 25 (Brunswick, Georgia)
Breonna Taylor, 26 (Louisville, Kentucky)
We pray for comfort for each of these families as they face the painful loss of their loved ones. We pray for the African American Community, repeatedly impacted by the trauma these killings produce, that the supportive care is accessible and available. We pray for this Nation's deep racial divide and that true healing will occur.
We pray unceasingly, and we stand.
We stand in solidarity with the many calling for justice and an end to the extrajudicial killings of African Americans.
George Floyd, 46 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Ahmaud Arbery, 25 (Brunswick, Georgia)
Breonna Taylor, 26 (Louisville, Kentucky)
We pray for comfort for each of these families as they face the painful loss of their loved ones. We pray for the African American Community, repeatedly impacted by the trauma these killings produce, that the supportive care is accessible and available. We pray for this Nation's deep racial divide and that true healing will occur.
We pray unceasingly, and we stand.
We stand in solidarity with the many calling for justice and an end to the extrajudicial killings of African Americans.
List of 9 items.
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AAPI Resources
Our Diversity Consultant. Dr. Artis from Olive Branch Educators, suggests the following resources:- Teacher’s Guide - Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S.
- Books:
- Border Less - Namrata Poddar -The author takes us to the desert and coastal spaces, predominantly Mumbai and Greater Los Angeles, “with layovers in the Thar Desert and African islands of the Indian Ocean.”
- If You See Me, Don’t Say Hi - Neel Patel -The author is a first-generation South Asian American who grew up in Champagne, Illinois.
- House of Sticks - Ly Tran - A memoir - Her family immigrated from Vietnam to a small apartment in Queens when Ly was a toddler.
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DEI Report 2020-2021
Please click here to download a copy of the DEI Report for the 2020-2021 academic year by Dr. Diana Artis, Diversity Consultant, CEO/Founder of Olive Branch Educators. -
DEI Resources for February (Olive Branch Educators)
Please click here to download DEI resources for the month of February 2022 from Olive Branch Educators. -
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from MESA
Please click here to view resources from MESA for Hispanic Heritage Month 2021. -
MSMA Clubs
Diversity Club - The focus of this club is for all students to gather, share their experiences, learn from each other, discuss different cultures, and traditions. The objective of the club is to support each other all while raising awareness and expanding the Mount community’s efforts to learn about different cultures and races. It is important that students feel comfortable. All students are welcome to join and listen or share.
Students of Color Affinity Group - A space for students of color to meet, connect, share resources, and share knowledge. The group will work together, support one another, and lift each other up. Through discussion of black and brown cultures. This group will be lead by the DEI consultant.
International Club - The International Club discusses different cultures, learn some words in various languages, and "armchair' travel to different countries. While our International students are still in China, they will take us on some video tours of China.
Spanish/Hispanic Club - Spanish club is a Spanish language and culture welcome to all students! We play games, engage in discussions about current events and more! We often join the other language clubs for service activities such as a diaper drive to help our local community. The 2020 student leaders will announce scheduled meetings and activities!
American Sign Language Club - Members learn how to manually sign and to sign children’s books as a service project. -
Native American Heritage Month Resources
Click here to view resources gathered by Mercy Education System of the Americas for Native American Heritage Month. -
Statement from Sisters of Mercy on Chauvin Verdict
To read the Sisters of Mercy statement on the 4/20/21 Chauvin verdict, click here. -
Articles of Interest
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Meeting Notes
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