Living Our Mission
Our commitment to inclusion and human dignity is an integral part of our Lasallian Catholic heritage and history, founded in the teachings of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, who created and led an inclusive, respectful community of teachers and learners committed to educational excellence and faith expressed through service. As noted in the “Declaration on the Lasallian Educational Mission: Challenges, Convictions and Hopes,” distributed in 2020 by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, we believe:
“That another world is possible, and that education is a fundamental force for building it. Our educational perspective aims to build societies where peace, equity, social justice, civic participation, the raising up of common dreams, and respect for freedom and differences are possible. We visibly demonstrate our commitment to the building up of a more democratic and just society, as well as our option for an integral and sustainable human development that benefits everyone. To educate for peace is to educate for justice and solidarity.”
Exploring Injustice
Join us during our inaugural Inclusion and Human Dignity week to reflect and celebrate our inherent dignity and worth as children of God, created in His image and likeness, and to love our neighbor in all that we do.
This year, we are focusing on exploring injustices.
*WARNING: The content of these sessions covers sensitive topics and themes surrounding human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and assault which may be distressing for some individuals.
Past Events
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Inclusion and Human Dignity week is observed reflect and celebrate our inherent dignity and worth as children of God, created in His image and likeness, and to love our neighbor in all that we do.
This year, we are focusing on exploring injustices.
Events:
- Interactive Martin Luther King, Jr. timeline of key speeches along with reflection questions.
- Mass For The Preservation of Peace and Justice
- Prayer Service
- Listening to Reality- A Survivor Story*
- Movie Showing: Sound of Freedom
- Listening to Reality- A Survivor Story
Dr. Ben Heidgerken, professor of Theology at the University of St. Thomas, presented on the “Cloud of Witnesses” – a collection of saints that illuminate the path for the American Church today. As illustrated by the concrete events in the lives of many of these saints, historic practices in the Church have led to ongoing barriers to the full inclusion of all peoples in the Body of Christ. Dr. Heidgerken discussed the lives and examples of these saints and suggested how the Church in the Americas might grapple with the consequences of racism and slavery into the present day.
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Pastor James Ward, a member of the President’s Council on Race and Diversity, spoke to the Saint Mary’s Community about his book Zero Victim: Overcoming Injustice with a New Attitude. His presentation on both the Minneapolis and Winona campus engaged students, faculty, and staff by challenging us to identify and remedy “victim thinking” and offered space to approach the much-needed healing of our country with faith.
The Office of Inclusion and Human Dignity hosted Project FINE, a non-profit organization in Winona dedicated to helping newcomers integrate into the community. This panel discussion opened conversations with undergraduate students about realities for immigrants in the Winona community and created space for students to reflect and share their thoughts with one another.
Human Dignity Working Group
Purpose: The Inclusion and Human Dignity working group will undertake and assist with efforts to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment at the university. The work group will advance human dignity and inclusion through education, training, scholarship, and fellowship.
Within this working group, there are two subcommittees that analyze each campus (SGPP and The College) to help determine the culture and the programmatic needs of our communities. The working group comprises students, faculty, and staff from both campuses.
Hear from students
Hear from Saint Mary’s undergraduate and graduate students who discuss what community and inclusion mean to them in the videos below.
Updates
Resources
- Culture of Life
- Black Students and Allies (BSA)
- Sexuality and Gender Alliances (SAGA)
- Merging Intercultural Experiences (MIX)
- View More Student Organizations
- Catholic Charities
- Diocese of Winona-Rochester: Office of Social Justice
- Lasallian Christian Brothers: Symposium on Justice and Lasallian Education & The Poor and Social Justice
- National Black Catholic Congress Pastoral Plan
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Ad Hoc Committee against Racism & Open Wide our Hearts: A pastoral letter against racism
- National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry
- Hmong American National Catholic Association
June 3, 2020, message from Pope Francis condemning racism
Looking to Past Work to Build on Future Efforts
Saint Mary’s has worked on a number of efforts aimed at dialogue, increasing understanding and celebrating the human dignity of each person. Reviewing what has been done, what has worked well, and what can be improved are all part of the process of building strong future dialogue opportunities, programming and events, and providing helpful resources to students, faculty, and staff. Highlights of past efforts include:
- A bias reporting webpage was created and includes a bias reporting form.
- Definitions and policies on harassment and discrimination are in the student handbook and can be found online.
- Bystander intervention training – Staff in student affairs, student success, campus ministry, etc., participated in the training summer 2020.
- Faculty learning such as a Faculty Advance Day, which included a presentation on “Responding to Racism: A Lasallian Dialogue and Call to Action,” by Brother Ernest J. Miller. This included a discussion on pedagogical approaches to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom.
- AXIS: Journal of Lasallian Higher Education – The March 2020 special issue was on social justice and Lasallian higher education today. Learn more.
- Purposeful conversations — Various panel discussions, town hall meetings, and listening sessions were held with a focus on understanding and celebrating inclusivity.
- A Seat at the Table — Panels/forums are being held for graduate and professional students to discuss matters, including race and diversity in higher education and pathways to academic and career success
- Religious celebrations — Special Masses were celebrated with intentions for racial harmony, peace, and understanding
- Interfaith events — Interfaith/inter-religious and ecumenical outreach increased with discussion groups, prayer experiences, and volunteer opportunities
- First Generation Initiative (FGI)—This program offers structured academic, financial, and social support for first-generation students. This initiative goes beyond college access and focuses on college readiness and retention in order to help first-generation students successfully complete a college education.
- Countdown to College (C2C)—The FGI program collaborates with admissions and the academic community to offer a four-year summer academic boot camp designed for graduates of Saint Mary’s middle school and high school partners — Lasallian and Catholic schools located in state and regional locations that serve low income, high-potential Latino, Native American, and African-American students.
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