Posted April 23, 2025 in Announcements
Dear Saint Martin Family,
It is with a heavy heart that we acknowledge the passing of Pope Francis, who has shepherded the Catholic Church for the past 12 years. As a man of prayer, Pope Francis was full of joy. He called all of us to encounter Jesus, to receive Jesus’ love and mercy, and to then go off and proclaim the good news with joy.
Pope Francis went to the peripheries and championed the marginalized. Leading with mercy and compassion, Pope Francis proclaimed a love that was inclusive of all, especially attentive to those whose human dignity is threatened or denied. He challenged the world to build bridges rather than walls and invited the Church to open its doors to all. Saint Martin de Porres was founded 22 years ago and continues in its mission today to seek to enhance opportunity, social justice, equity and community through a faith-based lens that establishes that we are all children of the same loving God worthy of the SAME dignity, respect, right to life, and access to resources. Pope Francis and St. Martin, our patron saint, remind us that miraculous things can happen when followers of Christ strive for radical love, honesty, and justice.
Our Cristo Rey Network was blessed to have Pope Francis speak with some students 10 years ago from Cristo Rey Jesuit in Chicago. In hearing the story of Valerie, one of our students, Pope Francis responded by encouraging us to walk with hope, and to not walk alone. He told us to have courage and offer love and tenderness to others. Pope Francis spoke of walking hand in hand with others, and he invited Valerie and all of us to have the courage to keep singing.
As we mourn the death and celebrate the life of Pope Francis, may the Saint Martin de Porres High School Family keep building bridges, going to the peripheries of our cities with Jesus, and with love, help lift up the dignity of all. May we have the courage to keep singing and bring to life God’s Kingdom of peace, love, and justice.
Kind regards,
Chaz Napoli, President
