We Stand for Justice

Saint Joseph Prep Statement on the tragic recent killings in Georgia 

March 22, 2021

Dear SJP Community,

On behalf of the Administration, Faculty, and Staff at Saint Joseph Prep, and in solidarity with our sponsors, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, we join with all those who are outraged at the violence that took place in Georgia last week. 

As a community of faith, committed to the inclusive love of God and love for the dear neighbor without distinction, we condemn this and all senseless acts of racism. We stand in solidarity with the members of the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in condemning this hate crime, and all, unacceptable acts of violence. Amidst this time of great sorrow and pain, we stand together to condemn racism in all its forms and pray for reconciliation and peace. We particularly pray for our SJP Asian students and their families who are deeply affected by this horrific event.  

In times like these, we are reminded of the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who inspired a nation and the world to stand up against hate and intolerance when he said that: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And as 20th Century Asian American peace activist Grace Lee Boggs also said, “The only way to survive is by taking care of one another.” Only by standing together in care of one another can we hope to bring greater peace, understanding, and acceptance to our world. 

Let us continue to pray for the grace to love another as Christ has taught us to love.

God bless.

Ms. McCarvill and Mr. Ward
Co-Heads of School

Saint Joseph Prep Statement on George Floyd

June 3, 2020

On behalf of the Administration, Faculty, and Staff at Saint Joseph Prep, and in solidarity with our sponsors, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, we join with all those who are outraged and shaken at the senseless killing and tragic death of George Floyd. As a community, we condemn racism in all of its forms and pray for reconciliation and peace. It is important that we heed the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

In the words of George Floyd’s brother: “My family is a peaceful family. My family is a God-fearing family. Let’s do this another way. Educate yourself.” Together, let us educate ourselves on the work that must be done to dismantle racism. As the Sisters of St. Joseph teach us, “We work for unity and reconciliation where there is brokenness, helping people become whole and holy, individually and together”.

At our School, diversity is one of our greatest blessings, and we will always be united by our differences, not divided. As a true community of faith, we are called to stand together in the struggle for justice, manifesting hope by seeking to improve the quality of human life. Strengthened by our faith and our bonds with one another, we will create opportunities in the days ahead to facilitate discussions related to social justice, racial inequality, and the Gospel mandate to love one another without distinction.

Let us continue to pray for the family of George Floyd. May we all strive to create a world where we embrace one another as brothers and sisters.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kathleen McCarvill and Mr. Gene Ward
Co-Heads of School

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

We, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, join with all who grieve and cry out against racism in all its forms. At this moment, heartbreak, frustration, fear, and outrage are but a few of the disquieting emotions resulting from the fatal arrest of George Floyd of Minneapolis. We acknowledge our own privilege and unite ourselves with others to work to dismantle racism.

We pray in solidarity with the family of George Floyd and all who suffer deeply from the effects of this egregious act – not only in Minneapolis but throughout our country and our world. In the presence of the constant and painful reminders of the deep roots of racism in our country and as part of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph, we join with the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in committing to the critical work of creating communion, examining the root causes of injustice and our own complicity, and purging ourselves, our communities, and our country of the sin of racism and its destructive effects.

Read our 2018 full CSSJ Federation statement here:

http://www.cssjfed.org/images/Pdfs/Federation-Statement-on-Racism-8.15.18.pdf