A message to the Viking community

Dear Viking community,
 
Faith. Family. Future.
 
That is our motto, our belief, our calling at Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School. It has always held special meaning to everyone in our community. In light of the recent events taking in place in communities all across our country in response to the death of George Floyd, it means even more, as we believe it can be used to answer the questions: "What can I do?” and “How can I make a difference?"
 
Faith: The social unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd has placed our collective backs against the wall. We, as Christians, must have faith...faith in God, who with all things are possible, and faith in each other, that we can turn to each other in times of need, that we will be there to support each other when we see them struggling, that we will not sit in silence when we see a wrong, and that we will know if one is oppressed, we are all oppressed. We call on everyone in the Viking community to pray every day. Each day, at noon, take 10 minutes to disconnect from the noise and pray for social justice.
 
Family: We are all made in God's image, which means we are all children of God, regardless of color or background. We are a family, and a family comes together in times of trouble. Family speaks up when one of their members is treated unfairly. Family locks arms when one member is in danger. Family extends an arm to lift up a family member who has fallen. In short, family is love. Love will conquer all problems, if we love all like they are our family. We call on everyone in the Viking community to use their ears to listen to those in our family who are hurting; listen to learn and to understand a new perspective, and maybe unlearn old ideas that may prevent us from true understanding. Also, use your voice to support everyone in our family, to speak up when we hear or see a wrong.
 
Future: Our future is what we make of it. We are the architects of our future. Only through prayer and action will we have a future where social justice applies to all, where in the words of Dr. King, all people will be judged not "by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." To be an architect of your future, be a model for the kind of future you want to see, a future you want your family members to be a part of. Lead by example. 
 
We do not have all of the answers, but this can be a start. We need to remember that what connects us as a family is way more powerful than what separates us.
 
Christ's Peace,
 
David Csank
VASJ Principal