January 17, 2005
Celebration of the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.


Dear Members of the Marianist Family,

We, the members of the Marianist Family Council of North America, submit to all the members of the Marianist Family an opportunity to take up a common action in support of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In this year, when we celebrate in our Church, the year of the Eucharist, we invite members of the family to reflect on one of the meanings of our sharing in the one bread and one cup. In his First Letter to the Corinthians, Paul insists that the Eucharist calls us to eliminate divisions among us. Therefore, we invite all to make a pledge to eliminate racism and welcome the gifts of other cultures:

We, the members of the Marianist Family of North America,
both lay and religious
the Marianist Lay Network
the Daughters of Mary Immaculate,
and the Society of Mary,
wholeheartedly commit ourselves to the gospel of our Lord Jesus
by pledging to be models of solidarity against the sin of racism.
We pledge ourselves to model Mary’s warmth of welcome
to God and to others
by welcoming the gifts of the various cultures in our midst.

We encourage individuals, communities and institutions to commit themselves to this pledge by signing it as an indication of support for our Marianist Family in this important task. In addition, we ask you to consider the following:

  • A statement of one area where you and/or your community have already worked against the sin of racism and have welcomed the gifts of other cultures.
  • A statement of additional steps you and/or your community will take in your own situation to combat racism and welcome the gifts of other cultures.
A form for making the pledge accompanies this letter. The Anti-racism team of the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative has prepared materials that we believe will be helpful to you in this commitment. We encourage you and your community to consider the thirteen suggested ways to combat racism which also accompany this letter.

Please send your response to the pledge to the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative by email to jimvogt2@yahoo.com or the Marianist Social Justice Collaborative, 523 East Southern Avenue, Covington, KY 41015

We invite everyone in the Marianist Family to a conversion of heart that brings action against racism. We ask for your prayerful support of this endeavor.

Peace in Christ,



Ms. Jean Canning
Ms. Margaret Cavanaugh
Sr. Evangeline Escobar, FMI
Rev. James Fitz, S.M.
Bro. Stephen Glodek, S.M.
Sr. Marcy Loehrlein, FMI