“How do we help our young people not to see a university degree as synonymous with higher status, with more money or social prestige? It is not synonymous with that. How can we help make their education a mark of greater responsibility in the face of today’s problems, the needs of the poor, concern for the environment?” -Pope Francis, 7/7/2015
Dear Friends:
We join those worldwide in mourning the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a shepherd of deep compassion, humility, and unwavering commitment to social justice. His life and papacy embodied the Gospel call to serve the marginalized, uplift the poor, and welcome all into the heart of the Church. His contributions will continue to have a positive impact on the Church for many years.
At the Sister Thea Bowman Black Catholic Education Foundation, we are especially grateful for Pope Francis’ enduring witness to the dignity of every person and his efforts to make the Church a more inclusive and merciful home. His legacy will continue to inspire our mission to expand access to quality Catholic education for African-American students across the United States. Like SIster Thea, Pope Francis understood the transformative and empowering nature of education. May we and our scholars, find hope in the great blessing of his papacy upon our lives and in our world.
Thanks to individuals like yourselves, and similar to the ministry of Pope Francis, our scholars are discovering their God-given talents so that they, too, may transform their communities in service to those in the greatest of need.
Sincerely,
Joseph Barker II
Executive Director