Dear students, faculty and staff:
As we reflect on a successful Mission Week centered on the theme, “Act With Care,” we understand it is more important than ever to make sure all in our community feel supported and valued. Our Catholic, Jesuit mission calls us to recognize the inherent dignity of each person we encounter, as every one of us is formed in the image of God. As Pope Francis has said, “May the church be the place of God’s mercy and love, where everyone can feel themselves welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live according to the good life of the Gospel. And in order to make others feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged, the church must have open doors so that all might enter.”
When asked “who is my neighbor,” Jesus shared the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-37). His instruction to treat others with mercy calls out to us as individuals and as a community. When we see others struggling, we see the face of Jesus who suffers in complete solidarity with them (Matthew 25:31-46). These images from the Gospel challenge us to dream of and work toward a world filled with more hope, stronger bonds of kinship between people and greater compassion. The invitation to live out each day with greater care for others is ours to accept.
We know that a number of federal activities over the past few weeks have many people on campus worried and experiencing higher levels of stress. This is a moment when we feel that we cannot control all that is happening around us, and yet, we can choose how we respond — with empathy and care for our fellow Marquette community members.
Understandably, there is a desire for certainty about what is next, and unfortunately, much is still unknown. An executive orders working group consisting of leaders from across the university is working together with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to review the orders and develop accurate legal guidance before determining which actions may be necessary at the university. This working group is meeting with people across campus to share information on the process the university is following and offer guidance and resources as this situation continues to evolve.
Leaders across the university will continue to work with our students, faculty and staff to navigate these changes. If you have additional questions or concerns, please send them to omc@marquette.edu and the executive orders working group will do its best to address them in a timely manner.
Marquette remains steadfast in its commitment to serve as a welcoming, care-filled learning community that is open to people from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To our students and our fellow colleagues: we see you, we value you and you belong here.
Sincerely,
Rev. John Thiede, S.J.
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
Steve Blaha
Director, Campus Ministry
Fratelli Tutti Prayer
Lord, Father of our human family,
you created all human beings equal in dignity:
pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit
and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter,
dialogue, justice and peace.
Move us to create healthier societies
and a more dignified world,
a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.
May our hearts be open
to all the peoples and nations of the earth.
May we recognize the goodness and beauty
that you have sown in each of us,
and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects,
and shared dreams. Amen.
