On Building Respect

So many of my readers are familiar with the four fundamental themes of Holy Cross education that we espouse at Bishop McNamara:  Being Family, Building Respect, Educating Minds and Forming Hearts, and Bringing Hope.  These stem from the teachings of the Blessed Father Basile Moreau who is the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross and who have used education as the platform to bring about social change as we prepare our students for "better times than ours" (from Christian Education, written in 1856 by Fr. Moreau). 

In last week's blog I talked about the theme of Being Family as we welcomed our newest students and their families to our school.  This week, the theme of Building Respect is one that resonates with me.  In an interview that I participated in with our 2012-2013 Student Council President, Kosi Dunn, when asked what we liked most about Bishop McNamara and what we hope to build upon this year, the theme of our mutually respectful environment came up.  In Kosi's words (and I am paraphrasing), "What I like most about McNamara is that we are a school in which everyone respects one another.  Regardless of where someone comes from, the color of their skin, their religion, whether they are an introvert or an extrovert, rich or poor, a dancer or an athlete, an actor or scholar, liberal or conservative, Bishop McNamara embraces all types and celebrates each person's uniqueness."  Talk about social change!!!  Think about what society was like when you were in school some years ago.  I am so inspired by today's youth in that they have found and developed ways to break down barriers that separate us and instead have built bridges to create mutuality and a common ground.  Some might call it tolerance for differences, others may say its a celebration of diversity.  What I call it is social justice.  Its just right and its who were are called to be.  Virtually every religion espouses a sense of mutual respect and love for all people.  We know as Christians that each of us is created in the likeness and image of God with inherent goodness, the ability to create, and the desire to love and to be loved and to make a difference in this world.  If we can agree on that basic principle, then we can change the world, rid it of bigotry and hatred, abolish cliques and bullying, and celebrate the fact that what we have in common is our uniqueness.

Over. the years I have watched all types of students flourish in the environment and culture that we create at Bishop McNamara yet I know we are not perfect and that we still have a long way to go in this regard.  But with the efforts and leadership of people like Kosi Dunn we can change the world!!  So as you progress through your week this week I challenge you to actively consider ways that you can build a more respectful environment in your home, at school or work, in your neighborhood, and within yourself.