Skip To Main Content

Diversity and Inclusion

There is a difference between "practicing" faith and "doing" faith. We want to teach students to go beyond prayer and challenge them to love and seek justice for others." -- Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m.

Marist Philosophy and Approach
To acknowledge and respect the dignity of another human being is to know Christ on a deeper level and to value one’s relationship with Him. Marist schools seek to put into practice examples of lived faith through simple and humble everyday acts of love and mercy. Doing the work of Mary is to bravely imitate Christ by entering the brokenness of individuals and society. All members of the Marist school community are called to missionary discipleship through awareness of and response to current issues, through inclusivity and just acts, direct and indirect advocacy for the marginalized, and works to alleviate suffering by bringing the joy and hope of the Gospel message to others.

Board Diversity Statement
Notre Dame, guided by the spirit and teachings of the Catholic Church and Society of Mary, actively seeks students, families, faculty, staff, and trustees of diverse backgrounds who are committed to the formation of a community of inclusion that respects the dignity of every individual. Notre Dame believes that teaching students to advocate for justice is essential to their development as Christian Persons, Upright Citizens, and Academic Scholars. We believe members of our community should work to eliminate prejudice and be a voice for those pushed to the fringes of society on the local, national, and global level.

DEI Board Committee – Our Mission
The mission of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee is to promote an environment that is equitable, affirming, safe and just. The DEI committee seeks to collaborate with all constituents of Notre Dame to provide a comprehensive approach by facilitating the integration of greater representation, fairness, belonging and care into our institutional policies, protocols, practices, and learning spaces.​  Through strategic planning and programmatic development, we hope to empower students, faculty, and staff to build a diverse and inclusive school community that confronts social injustices.

Programs

2022-23 Community DEI Read

"On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Restoring God’s Vision for Race and Discipleship" describes God’s vision for the universal church to be united “on earth as it is in heaven.”  

This book follows Fr. Josh’s journey of serving as the only Black priest in the diocese of Baton Rouge, La. Fr. Josh draws from the riches of scripture, personal experience as a Catholic of color, his priestly ministry, and the wisdom of the church to encourage Catholics to understand more deeply the call of Christ to make disciples of “all peoples and nations." (Matthew 28:19)

With the help of "On Earth as it is in Heaven", Catholics can work towards bringing the kingdom of Heaven to earth by reaching out to people of all backgrounds.

Purchase the book by clicking on the image above.

Love is doing good for the other for the sake of the other.”

-- St. Thomas Aquinas

Faith plays a big role in the acceptance and inclusion that people feel when they attend this school, or visit for other reasons. The SCHOOL and it's staff have ALWAYS made me feel accepted and included in everything. ”

-- Current Parent

Kala Parker
Director of Diversity and Inclusion