Dear Immaculate Conception Family:

      The recent killings of Ms. Breonna Taylor, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, and Mr. George Floyd (added to the countless other senseless acts of racism, violence, and murder against our brothers and sisters especially of African descent) have again brought about protesting and demands for change. Our Church acknowledges that racism and injustice because of race or ethnicity is a grave sin. However, we are called to go beyond that bold proclamation.

      By our Baptism, we understand that our call to reject sin- our call to conversion is a call to “Metanoia”.  That is, a call to not only turn away from sin but to turn towards right relationships with God, creation, and each other. Our Church, specifically the Bishops of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, call us to reexamine our hearts- individually and as a Church. “Open wide our hearts...a pastoral letter against racism” is a document released by the Bishops’ Conference  in November 2018. We encourage all of you to read it here: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/upload/open-wide-our-hearts.pdf

      Here at Immaculate Conception, we hear the cries of our brothers and sisters to stand against racism and injustice. Our beloved St. John Bosco took a definitive stand with young people who were on the margins of society.  Certainly, in this place and time, he would stand again with those whom others would discriminate against. We are certain he would be greatly concerned for our children of color who may be fearful in these times for the safety of their mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles and for themselves. Discerning what we have done, what still needs to be done, we ask as many are asking, ”What can we do?”.  We feel the answer is obvious in our situation- we educate. We educate as we have and as we have not.

      We will continue in our Salesian tradition using Don Bosco’s preventive system which incorporates Reason, Religion, and Loving Kindness. Additionally, we will be incorporating into our religion lessons parts of the above mentioned “Open Wide Our Hearts”.

      Further, we are heeding the words of Fr. Josh Johnson.  At this year’s Gulf Coast Catechetical Conference, he was speaking as an African American priest (Diocese of Baton Rouge).  His talk was on “Dialogue, Discipleship, and Diversity”.  He challenged us to look around our parishes and schools and ask if the images of Saints and holiness we have are reflective of the people we serve. 

      Our school is blessed with some beautiful religious art, but we can do more.  We want our students to understand that holiness comes from people of many backgrounds. All of our children are taught that everyone is made in the image and likeness of our God and deserving of respect for that simple fact.  Our children of European descent need to see images of Saints who look different than they do to understand that the call of Christ is for all people, and we learn about God through the experiences of others. Our children of African and Asian and First American descent need to see images of holiness that look like them as well. 

       To this end, we have begun to order pieces of art that are reflective of humanity’s universal call to holiness.  We are anticipating the arrival of  images of Servant of God, Sr. Thea Bowman, St. Andrew Dung-Lac, St. Martin de Porres, Our Lady of Kibeho, Sister Kateri Tekekwitha, and Our Lady of Guadelupe as a start. We are not replacing, but adding to the art we have. (Except we have removed a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was not true to the apparition but rather looked like a European woman in Guadelupe’s dress.)

      Finally, we are aware that the above are the easy parts. We are also committed to the hard parts as well. We will be engaged in prayerful discernment asking God to help us see where we fall short looking at ourselves individually and as a faculty and staff; asking God to give us the courage to have hard conversations and the strength to make difficult changes. 

      As we move forward, may we do so together in the spirit and love of Jesus with the example of St. John Bosco and Mother Mary Mazzarello. 

God’s peace and Blessings,

Rhonda A. Aucoin, B.A. -Theology
Director of Religious Education