Students from four Catholic schools embraced Catholic social teaching and the virtue of solidarity at a recent community event in Grand Rapids honoring César Chávez.
Groups from Immaculate Heart of Mary, San Juan Diego Academy, St. Anthony of Padua and St. Stephen participated in the eighteenth annual César E. Chávez Social Justice March on March 15, 2018. Sponsored by the Committee to Honor César E. Chávez, the march was an opportunity for community members to demonstrate unity and to support Chávez’s vision of equality, justice and dignity for all. Chávez, who was Catholic, co-founded the United Farm Workers union with Dolores Huerta and was a civil rights activist.
Several pastors, St. Anthony Principal Julie Whelan and teachers marched, too, as well as Superintendent of Catholic Schools David Faber and some members of the Office of Catholic Schools.
Before the march, San Juan Diego Academy students hosted their peers for a prayer service and to listen to a talk from a young woman known as Miss Ellie. She is a Dreamer, an undocumented immigrant brought to the United States as a child, and she described her experience.
Pastors from several of San Juan Diego Academy’s partner parishes also spoke; students heard from Rev. Stephen Dudek (from Holy Name of Jesus), Rev. José Luis Quintana (from the Shrine of St. Francis & Our Lady of Guadalupe) and Rev. Steven D. Cron (from St. Joseph the Worker and co-chaplain of Catholic Central High School). Also in attendance were Rev. Mark Przybysz and Rev. Luis Garcia, the pastor and parochial vicar of St. Anthony of Padua, respectively.
Students learned about solidarity, the aspect of Catholic social teaching which promotes unity among the human family. The pursuit of justice and peace is at the core of the virtue of solidarity. Learn more about Catholic social teaching here.
See photos from the event in the gallery at this link.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are an alliance of 30 vibrant learning communities serving more than 6,600 elementary and high school students within a seven-county area of West Michigan. Our schools inspire young people to grow in Catholic faith and grace, achieve more in school and life, develop creativity and character, and feel welcomed and cherished for their unique gifts. We partner with parents to awaken the whole child to a world of light and life—that grows better and brighter when children reach their potential. Learn more here.