​The following message on anti-Black racism from the Chair and Director was sent to the DPCDSB community this evening. We also shared it with all DPCDSB employees. 

May 31, 2020

Message from the Chair of the Board of Trustees and Director of Education

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the end of the Easter Season.  It is the day that the Apostles were given the power of the Holy Spirit to go and spread the message of Jesus Christ.  It marks the beginning of the Catholic Church, and today, we are reminded more than ever of the importance of Jesus’ words “just as I have loved, you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)

As a Catholic community, we are called to speak out against, and work to address injustice. Anti-Black racism is a historical, and current injustice. Over the last week, events have brought the devastating and lethal effects of anti-Black racism to the forefront of our minds and hearts. Calling for justice is easy, but meaningful change will only occur through deep reflection and action. We believe that all humans are created in the image and likeness of God. All lives are sacred and deserving of dignity - ALL LIVES. As a society, and a system, we can only say that all lives matter when we clearly demonstrate that Black lives matter.

Fundamental to Catholic education is the Church's Catholic Social Teaching.  Solidarity is one of the foundational principles of that teaching. We all have a duty to stand in solidarity with the Black community. We are inextricably linked in our humanity, and when one member of our community suffers, we all suffer. Saint John Paul II reminds us that;

Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all really responsible for all.

In today’s Psalm reading we hear, “Lord, send forth your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.” It is that sense of renewal that roots the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board’s (DPCDSB) commitment to addressing the barriers and harm created by anti-Black racism.  The second reading reminds us, “In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Our commitment is firm and persevering. We understand that this takes sustained, committed and reflective practices at all levels of our organization. We know that we must change and grow with humility. We pray for the guidance to do this work and do it

We offer our prayers for members of the DPCDSB community who are suffering right now. We are here for you now and will continue to be here for you.  May we all work together as one body in Christ to confront and end the sin and scourge of racism. May  the grace and peace of our risen Lord be with you and your family today and always.

Sharon Hobin                                                            Marianne Mazzorato, Ed.D.

Chair of the Board of Trustees                                   Director of Education