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Mercy Education Conference Creates Space for Courageous Conversations on Racism

The 40th annual Mercy Education Conference welcomed 230 Mercy educators from around the globe to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 17-18, for an event themed: “Through the Lens of Mercy: An In-Depth Look at Racism.” Keynote presentations and breakout sessions provided information on the historical, political, and social context of racism and urged educators to reflect on the role of racism in their own lives and within their school communities.

“How does it feel to be back together?” asked Kimberly Baxter, Mercy Education Associate Director for Programs and Services on October 17 as the conference commenced in-person for the first time since 2019.

Bonds within and across Mercy schools strengthened from dynamic prayer experiences, social events at host schools Mercy McAuley High School and Mercy Montessori, as well as deep listening and sharing.

“Anti-racism is God’s Work”

Leaning into schools’ Mercy Catholic identity, keynote speakers drew from the Gospel, Catholic Social Teaching and foundational documents of the Sisters of Mercy to urge educators to respond to their call to be advocates of antiracism in our world.

Sister Alicia Zapata, RSM, keynote speaker and a core team member of the Sisters of Mercy Institute Office of Anti-Racism and Racial Equity, explored the evolution of the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern for Racism and their commitment to create an antiracist community. “In Catherine McAuley’s writing and instruction on humility and charity she implores us to be humble and sincere if God is to finish the work God has begun. … This work of anti-racism is God’s work.”

How to accomplish this holy work formed the foundation of keynote speaker Deacon Royce Winters’s presentation. Director of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Office – African American Pastoral Ministries, Deacon Winters called participants to action: “Words are great, but we authentically live out truth in the world when we act with justice.” He invited Mercy educators to consider their God-given role in dismantling racism, reminding them of the great responsibility inherent in their work of educating tomorrow’s leaders.

Gloria Purvis, the final keynote speaker and host of The Gloria Purvis Podcast, challenged attendees to see racism as a “rebellion against God, against who God said we are.” We can find solutions, she said, in what our faith moves us to do. This includes preparing ourselves to respond to racism; remembering that silence is a form of complicity; and ensuring space for people to make mistakes safely on their journey to becoming antiracist.

Courageous Conversations

The planning committee ensured the conference was a space where participants could engage in open and honest dialogue, self-reflection and group sharing.

The conference’s location at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center afforded educators access to interactive exhibits including “From Slavery to Freedom” and “Invisible: Slavery Today.” A training session on implicit bias generated important dialogue and reflection about attitudes and stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions and decisions in an unconscious manner.

A panel of Mercy school educators – Fr. Christopher Calderón, S.J., Dean of Students at Cristo Rey High School in Sacramento, California; Traci Smith, M.Ed, Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, Michigan; and Krista Taylor, Assistant Principal at Mercy Montessori in Cincinnati, Ohio – shared about their work to foster inclusion and belonging within their school communities.

Examples included book clubs, partnerships with alumni/ae, staff training and restorative circles. As Fr. Calderón said, “We don’t have all the answers. But if we keep seeking Christ in those hard places, Christ will be with us to help.”

With Gratitude

Thank you to the members of the 2022 Mercy Education Conference Committee:

  • Kimberly Baxter - Associate Director for Programs and Services, Mercy Education
  • Anne Knapke - Head of School, Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary, Spring House, Pennsylvania
  • Patricia Normile - Principal, Mercy Montessori, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Traci Smith - Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Mercy High School, Farmington Hills, Michigan
  • Nell Stetser - Associate Director for Mercy Online Learning, Mercy Education

Thank you also to all the schools and individuals who contributed the dozens books and classroom materials on antiracism that were raffled at the event.

A special thank you to host schools Mercy McAuley High School and Mercy Montessori for their hospitality throughout the event. Participants were treated to school tours, local food and drink and entertainment including an abridged production of Godspell from Mercy McAuley Theatre.

See You in Jamaica!

Mark your calendars! The 2023 Mercy Education Conference will be held October 12-13, 2023, in Kingston, Jamaica, to be hosted by all eight member schools in Jamaica. The theme will be the Sisters of Mercy Critical Concern for Earth.

Videos

The Mercy McAuley Vocal Ensemble sings "Magnificat" during prayer on Monday morning.

Deacon Royce Winters sings "Oh, How I Love Jesus" during prayer on Tuesday morning.

And the Mercy Education Conference was featured on Cincinnati's Local News 12!

Photos

Visit the Mercy Education Facebook page for more photos from the event.