San Jose -- As is tradition for Jesuit schools, Bellarmine College Preparatory began the 2019-20 school year the morning of August 19 with the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Faculty, staff, students, and the Bellarmine Jesuit community gathered for the outdoor Mass with Fr. Bob Shinney, S.J., as presider.
The Gospel reflection was delivered by Bellarmine’s president, Mr. Chris Meyercord ‘88, who indicated that this year’s Summit on Human Dignity will be centered on Economic Justice. “While we’ll talk about many different challenges to economic justice over the course of the year, three topics that we’ll focus on will be access to clean water, a place to live, and adequate food,” said Meyercord, who is also coordinating the justice theme this year.
Those areas will be explored by the Bellarmine community in a variety of ways. In October, two individuals who have dedicated their lives to providing access to clean water in underserved areas globally will speak to students. Additionally, said Meyercord, “Many of us will have a chance to build filters that will immediately be put to use in Nepal and in other parts of the developing world.” In the winter season, for the third consecutive year, the school will participate in the Safe Park program, providing a safe place to park, along with some meals and showers, for people who are living in their cars. During Bellarmine’s Lenten Food Drive, compelling speaker Thomas Awiapo from Catholic Relief Services will return to share his story about how small charitable donations made at churches and schools around the world literally saved his life as an impoverished child growing up in Ghana. The school’s Summit Week in January will provide many opportunities for students to explore their interests and passions relative to the topic of Economic Justice by choosing from an array of breakout session options.
In his remarks, Meyercord noted that, “Unfortunately, there are entirely too many systems of injustice in our world today. Any system that denies the dignity and equality of each and every human being – anything that doesn’t positively affirm that every human being is made in God’s image and deserves our love and respect – those are all systems of injustice.” He concluded his reflection by encouraging all to, “Do justice. Love kindness. Walk humbly, and let’s make it a great year.”
Previous justice themes at Bellarmine have included gender, poverty, human trafficking, sustainability, immigration, hunger, and race.