Faith & Justice Update | November 2025

October at Forest Ridge has been a month where faith, culture, and community intertwined beautifully, reminding us of the depth and diversity of our shared life together.

We began the month gathered outside for our Blessing of the Pets, honoring the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi and our call to care for all creation. The laughter of students and the wagging tails of our animal companions offered a joyful reminder that love and reverence extend to every living being.

Throughout the month, we have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month, learning from the vibrant traditions, music, and stories that shape the Latinx experience. From dancing cumbia to enjoying bionico, students explored how culture is both a celebration and a bridge. 

We also paused to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, centering the wisdom and resilience of Native communities whose stewardship of the land continues to guide our collective responsibility for justice and care. Roger Fernandes shared stories that have ancient wisdom with relevant themes. 

Our newly formed Desi Student Union came together for Diwali, the Festival of Lights, that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness. Students created a rangoli using fresh flowers to invite Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, into our community. 

The Feast of Mater Admirabilis invited us into stillness and contemplation. Through pink cupcakes, quiet prayer, and reflection on Mater’s calm presence, we remembered that holiness often appears not in grand gestures but in simple acts of love and patience.

We give thanks for a community that prays, learns, celebrates, and grows together. In every chapel, classroom, and shared moment, we are reminded that belonging and purpose take root when faith and justice walk hand in hand.

Photos

• View the photos from our Feast of Mater Admirabilis Mass on October 20, 2025
• View the photos from our Indigenous Peoples Day Assembly on October 13, 2025
• View the photos from our Blessing of the Pets Service on October 1, 2025

Important Dates 
November 1 - All Saints Day
November 2 - All Souls Day
November 17-18 - Cor Unum et Anima Una (US only) and 10th Grade Retreat 
November 19 - Gracie Morbitzer All-School Assembly Presentation 
November 21 - Feast of Rose Philippine Duchesne/Reclamation Mass 
November 24-25 - Global Days (MS only)
December 8 - Feast of the Immaculate Conception/Our Lady of Guadalupe 
December 14-22 - Hanukkah 
December 19 - Feast Wishes Mass
December 25 - Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord 
December 26-Jan 1 - Kwanza 
 

Announcements
This year’s Cor Unum theme is Artificial Intelligence — Reimagining the Common Good Through Artificial Intelligence.
Cor Unum’s theme invites us to explore Artificial Intelligence (AI) through the lens of curiosity, ethics, and our Sacred Heart mission. Together, we will ask: How can AI serve humanity and creation with compassion, integrity, and wisdom? Our exploration will center around three key buckets:

1. The Future of AI: How It Can Help Me – Understanding how AI can empower learning, creativity, and innovation while keeping the human spirit at the center.
2. AI and Environmental Sustainability – Investigating how technology can be harnessed to protect our planet, reduce waste, and support global stewardship.
    
3. Social and Ethical Responsibility – Reflecting on fairness, equity, and the moral questions that arise as AI becomes more integrated into daily life.

Through dialogue, discovery, and discernment, we will consider not just what AI can do, but what it should do—always guided by our Sacred Heart values of wisdom, justice, and love.

Student Reflection - by Katelyn T. ‘26
October was a month full of celebration, reflection, and connection within the Department of Faith and Justice.

Roger Fernandes, our guest speaker for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, shared powerful stories about the importance of community in challenging times. I keep finding myself thinking about his story of the bunny and how one small voice speaking from the heart was able to withstand the mistreatment of the other animals. This inspired me to continue to stand up for what I believe in and approach obstacles with patience instead of anger.

In our affinity group community, the Latine Student Union led us through different workshops for Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting the diversity and exciting traditions of various countries. My friends and I learned how to make Fresas con Crema, a delicious Mexican dessert made of strawberries and sweet cream.

Similarly, the Asian American Pacific Islander Student Union celebrated Filipino American History Month with a special Filipino cuisine day made by the FRidge. In the morning, my mom and I spent two hours wrapping the lumpia that students and faculty tried for lunch. I loved honoring and learning more about my culture alongside my peers; it reminded me how we are all different but connected through our education.

The last event I would like to highlight is one of my favorite days of the year. Blessing of the Pets allows us to bring in our furry friends and reflect on our responsibility to care for all of creation. My favorite part is singing with the choir and watching the pets be blessed with a holy water shaker. Not only is it fun for our FR community, but it also reminds us that religion can be filled with joy and connection.

Each of these experiences (and many more) showed me that the Department of Faith and Justice at FR is about more than just Mass and traditions, it’s about truly seeing, listening, and celebrating one another. As we move forward, I hope we continue to share the spirit of community by working toward true understanding in everything we do.