March 2006

 

Dear Members of the Marianist Family,

                      

Last year, the members of the Marianist Family Council of North America submitted to all the members of the Marianist Family an opportunity to take up a common action in support of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Our invitation came during the year when we celebrated in our Church the year of the Eucharist.  We invited members of the family to reflect on one of the meanings of our sharing in the one bread and one cup—the elimination of divisions among us.  In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul insists that the Eucharist calls us to eliminate such divisions.  At that time, we invited all to make the Pledge to Eliminate Racism and welcome the gifts of other cultures.  We encourage you again to consider this pledge.

 

If you have not already done so, we encourage individuals, communities and institutions to commit themselves to this pledge by signing it as an indication of support for our Marianist Family in this important task.  In addition, we ask you to consider the following:

 

§         A statement of one area where you and/or your community have already worked against the sin of racism and have welcomed the gifts of other cultures.

§         A statement of additional steps you and/or your community will take in your own situation to combat racism and welcome the gifts of other cultures.

 

A form for making the pledge is part of this packet.  The Anti-Racism Team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative has prepared materials that we believe will be helpful to you in this commitment.  We encourage you and your community to consider the thirteen suggested ways to combat racism and other materials which are also contained in this packet.

 

Please send your response to the pledge to the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative by email to jimvogt2@yahoo.com or the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, 523 East Southern Avenue, Covington, KY 41015

 

We invite everyone in the Marianist Family to a conversion of heart that brings action against racism. We ask for your prayerful support of this endeavor. 

 

Peace in Christ,