Rev. Michael-Ray Matthews addresses Bellarmine students, faculty, and staff at the school’s Justice Summit. (photo by Terry Yu).
San Jose – The Bellarmine College Preparatory community experienced its Summit on Human Dignity focused on Economic Justice on January 28.
A morning general assembly was held in the Patrick Wayne Valley Memorial Gym, during which Rev. Michael-Ray Matthews, from the organization Faith in Action, delivered the keynote address. Reverend Matthews, father of Class of 2015 Bellarmine alumnus Kenan Mathews, shared much of his personal journey and the fact that, “God was calling me to be a minister when I was 12 years old.” Much of his work through and with Faith in Action is about “making things right” in the community, among relations of people, and among institutions. Reverend Matthews encouraged all to reflect on what it is that informs each of us to be a person wanting to seek justice. “It’s not what we say and do,” he said. “It’s about who we are becoming in this world.”
During the afternoon, a series of breakout sessions related to Economic Justice took place, which were presented by leaders of community and faith-based organizations, as well as by several members of Bellarmine’s faculty and staff. Session topics included housing, race and poverty, immigration, education, and healthcare.
This year’s Summit on Human Dignity was coordinated by Bellarmine president Chris Meyercord with the assistance of many faculty and staff representing several departments.
Previous justice themes at Bellarmine have included gender, poverty, human trafficking, sustainability, immigration, hunger, and race.