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bishop braxton speaks with catholic high school teachers

Story and photos by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Bishop Edward K. Braxton met with teachers and staff from the three diocesan Catholic high schools: Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo and Mater Dei Catholic High School in Bresse.

At what has become an annual meeting with the teachers, the bishop asked them to read and reflect upon a homily he gave in January in the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona commemorating the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The homily not only discussed racism in its historical context but drew attention to the plight of the Haitian people who had just experienced a devastating earthquake that continues to plague many of its citizens even today.

After reviewing the homily with the teachers, he encouraged them to ask questions about it or point out passages that were new or striking to them as they read it.

Each of the three principals brought up points about the homily, making observations or asking questions.
Bishop Braxton quoted the 1979 Pastoral Letter on Racism in Our Day, “Brothers and Sisters to Us” in his homily and talked with the teachers about the letter and about racism in society and in the church.

The teachers said they appreciated the chance to meet with the bishop and to have discussions such as this one.
Without such meetings, they might not take the time to read or study documents such as the homily, or last year’s topic of discussion: Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical “Caritas in Veritate,” published June 29, 2009.

To read Bishop Braxton’s homily, which was also published in “Origins,” please go to The Messenger website at www.bellevillemessenger.org and click on Bishop Braxton on the left side. “Bishop Braxton Gives Homily Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday.” The homily is listed among other writings by Bishop Braxton.