Nazareth Academy Launches Lenten Project on Immigration Awareness

Nazareth Academy is set to highlight immigration issues during its Lenten project, collaborating with the Sisters of St. Joseph and partner schools in Cleveland and Baton Rouge. The initiative aims to bring awareness to immigration topics amidst ongoing community discussions. According to Nereida McGrath, chairwoman of the Nazareth theology department, “Immigration is a very hot topic right now with everything that is happening in our communities, and we must have the courage to talk about it.”

The project will focus on an integrative approach that encompasses awareness, education, prayer, and personal reflection. Students and faculty will foster engagement through classroom discussions, club activities, and schoolwide events. Each participating school, including St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge and Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, will choose specific countries of origin for their research initiatives.

Students will create presentation materials, including prayers and informational slides, to share among the schools. Art students will also contribute by developing a growing display of artwork inspired by the cultures of the chosen countries. This display aims to reflect the beauty and diversity of immigrants in America throughout the Lenten season.

Student clubs, such as the liturgy planning team, Roadrunner club, and the anti-bullying task force, will collaborate to create a campus display featuring cultural information, immigration facts, and quotes from Catholic leaders. A prayer service at Alexine Chapel is scheduled for March 12, 2024, inspired by the Catholic Church’s teachings on immigration. Furthermore, a panel discussion on March 26, 2024, will include members of the Sisters of St. Joseph who have worked in border communities or with immigrant populations.

Katie McKeon, a theology faculty member, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s cross-disciplinary nature. “As we partnered with our sister schools and we started to dream about what this project would be, we realized there were a lot of different ways to engage our prospective communities in this topic,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of fostering global solidarity and encouraging students to understand the significance of their voices in making the world more inclusive.

Students are optimistic that the activities will lead to a deeper understanding of immigration issues. Giovanni Hill of La Grange Park shared, “I chose to be part of this immigration project because I wanted to share my experience and my family’s experience with immigration. I want to show fellow students that this issue affects your peers.”

Another student, Greta Sznewajs of La Grange, noted that the project aligns well with the school’s foundational partnership with the Congregation of Saint Joseph. She highlighted that the sisters’ message of “loving the dear neighbor without distinction” serves as a guiding principle for the students’ learning about immigration. “By providing safe spaces for students to express their feelings and dispel prejudice and stereotypes, Nazareth’s administration and the Sisters of St. Joseph are encouraging growth, dialogue, and understanding,” Sznewajs added.

As Nazareth Academy embarks on this important initiative, it seeks to engage its community in meaningful discussions on immigration while promoting values of kindness, peace, equality, love, inclusion, hope, and diversity.