A Joint Message on Equity and Inclusion by PVNC Chairperson and Director

June 3, 2020

As we move through these early days of June 2020, our minds are consumed with heart-wrenching images and anguish for so many. Once again, we are witnessing the violence that comes with the scourge of racism. 

Racism, and all discrimination, violates the God-given dignity of every human person. In the words of Archbishop Flynn of St. Paul and Minneapolis, “we can only be one with God if we reject racism and work aggressively to remove it from our personal lives, our church and our society.”(In God’s Image: Pastoral Letter on Racism, Archbishop Flynn of Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, 2003)

We affirm our belief in and commitment to the dignity and goodness of every human person, each one created in the image and likeness of God. No one can say they love God but not love their neighbour. To deride, mistreat, attack or kill another person is an affront to all humanity, and to God.

At PVNC, we remain committed to listen to the experience of our students and our community members, to change where we need to change, and to continue to find ways to make our school communities places of learning that are safe, welcoming and inclusive, places our students will always want to be. Every one of our students is a child of God. Nothing can ever change this profound truth. It is up to each of us to see this dignity, to uphold it and to defend it. 

Let us be united in this conviction, and let us pray:

We turn to you, O God asking for hope amidst uncertainty and fear.

We ask you to shower upon the world, and to inspire in us, your blessings:

Mercy for the sick and the suffering,

Communal closeness in our physical distance,

Justice for those who are oppressed,

Confidence to those who live in fear, 

Perspective so that we might remember that for which we should be grateful,

Compassion for ourselves and each other, 

Understanding of  those who are misunderstood, 

Fearlessness in the face of violence,

Peaceful voices even in anger and despair,

And Kindness to everyone.

For these things we pray, O God, in the name of the crucified One. Amen.

Michael Nasello                              Michelle Griepsma
Director of Education                 Chairperson of the Board