During this Lenten Season, our Brother Martin school community celebrated our annual Social Justice Liturgy on Friday, February 23rd. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Kyle Dave ’89, Pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Belle Chasse. The Liturgical theme of our Social Justice Mass was shaped on our commitment to Catholic Social Teaching. In the center of the Conlin Gymnasium stood a Crusader surrounded by seven pillars. Each pillar, built by a group of Senior Student Ministers, represented a theme of Catholic Social Teaching: Life and Dignity of the Human Person; Call to Family, Community, and Participants; Rights and Responsibilities; Options for the Poor and Vulnerable; The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers; Solidarity; and Care for God’s Creation. During Fr. Kyle’s homily, he touched on the seven pillars represented and asked our Brother Martin community to reflect on the extent to which each of us truly embrace these teachings in our lives.
Fr. Kyle’s homily taught us to think back on our choices and always know that when it comes to social justice, there is always a choice. “It is not always in your hands, but it is in your hearts. When we look to Jesus, that is when we feel it in our hearts,” concluded Fr. Kyle.
After the conclusion of Mass, Mr. Jerry Ursin introduced two special guests in attendance at our liturgy, Mr. and Mrs. J. Donald Garvey ’50 SA. Mr. and Mrs. Garvey are examples of Social Justice in our very own school community. The Garvey’s graciously donated funds that allowed our Crusaders to attend the March for Life pilgrimage in Washington D.C. 
this past January. Our March for Life attendees and the Brother Martin community are forever grateful for the impact that the Garvey’s have on the greater New Orleans community and on our students, particularly the Crusaders for Life Club members.
And finally, Mrs. Donnamaria Giambelluca, moderator of the Welcoming Diversity Organization, presented the Bro. Collin Dugas, S.C. and Ms. Judy Stewart awards for Social Justice. Receiving the Judy Stewart Social Justice Award were seniors Adam Schwarzenbach and Connor Bertaut. Both seniors, elected for this award by their fellow classmates, are caring and selfless students who embody the ideals of our Charism and social justice. Two members of the Brother Martin Faculty and Staff receiving the Bro. Collin Dugas S.C. award were Ms. Debbie Dixon and Mr. Ian Supak. Both Ms. Dixon and Mr. Supak were honored for this award for their unselfish commitment to the betterment of our school, and were selected as the recipients by their colleagues.
Brother Martin is so proud to honor our seniors and Faculty and Staff with these honors exemplifying Social Justice in our own school and community!
Social Justice Liturgy
