January 17, 2012
Dear Parents and Students,
Growing up in the 1960s was an eye opening experience. There was a real social movement for equality that took place not just at the grass roots level, but in the halls of Congress and the White House as well. The teachers I had at Holy Name and Sacred Heart did not shy away from explaining how Church teachings supported the desire for equality and justice.
Yesterday we celebrated Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I was in 8th grade when Doctor King was taken from us and I was aware that the ideas of “brotherhood” and “justice” that he expressed were considered “radical” by some in our country. Even then I was confused by the reluctance of some to accept and celebrate his teachings. After all, they seemed very much in line with the teachings of Jesus that the Sisters of Mercy and Christian Brothers put at the center of their curriculum.
The years have past. Some things have improved; some have not. But Martin’s dream is still alive in my heart (and I suspect in yours too).
‘I HAVE A DREAM THAT MY FOUR LITTLE CHILDREN WILL
ONE DAY LIVE IN A NATION WHERE THEY WILL NOT BE
JUDGED BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN BUT BY THE CONTENT
OF THEIR CHARACTER. ‘
We try every day to live this dream, in Religion class and in every moment we interact with our students.
I hope you enjoyed your holiday. I hope you slept in, had a great breakfast and a leisurely day. But most of all I hope you spent a few moments talking to the kids about why we celebrate Martin Luther King Day and how we need to keep his dream of peace, brotherhood, and justice alive.
Sincerely,
Terrence Hanley
Principal
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