May 17, 2022
Greetings, all:
President Biden visited Buffalo today and he took time to recognize the passing of each of the massacre's victims. He recognized our community's loss and rightly observed that evil had come to Buffalo last weekend.
I recently received an essay written by a Hilbert College student about their religion course. This is an excerpt:
One of the main aspects that stuck with me from this class is the fact that God is love. Having the ability to love is one of the most powerful emotions that people can feel. This explanation that God is love makes me want to live my life as full of love as Jesus did. We as a community should be loving everyone that we come in contact with. The world is such a dark place and can be absolutely miserable at times, but if we cared a little more about one another then the world does not have to be so dark. I believe that with feelings of love in my heart, I can be a better person in every aspect of my life.
Inspired by our students, we extend our love to the families suffering from the greatest of losses. And, through our Franciscan approach to character development, we will continue to support our nation's atonement for its original sin of slavery. The current white supremacy movement flows from this sin, hundreds of years since its inception. There is much to be done, for sure.
On Friday we will celebrate our graduates. And we will send them off into a world that needs love. They will know how to love because Hilbert is love.
Peace,
Michael Brophy, Ph.D.
President
Hilbert College
May 16, 2022
Dear Hilbert Community,
As we grieve the tragedy that took place this past weekend, our thoughts remain focused on the victims, their families, and those who are impacted the most.
As part of our Franciscan values, we remain committed to fostering the Franciscan spirit of hope, compassion, and service. Based on these values, we have a duty to care for one another and I hope that we recognize our call to action.
Members of the Hilbert Community wishing to donate to the those affected by this tragedy may place donations in the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, located in Franciscan Hall starting on Tuesday, May 17th. We ask that you donate non-perishable items as well as toiletries.
Additionally, graduates and their families joining us on campus for commencement activities may place donations in the designated area in the West Herr Atrium throughout the day on Friday, May 20th.
Below is a link to a document for Community Resources that includes a list of organizations that are directly supporting the neighborhood and families in need. Please know that our efforts to advocate and support this community will continue. Together we will remain steadfast in boldly promoting racial and social justice.
Community Resources
God Bless,
Diedre DeBose, Ed.D
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
May 15, 2022
Dear Hilbert Community,
It is with a heavy heart that I send this email. Saturday afternoon, the City of Buffalo experienced a devastating and horrific tragedy. A tragedy that was motivated by hate. I am overwhelmed with emotions. I am angry, sad, but most of all, I am heartbroken.
Yesterday, innocent people lost their lives simply because of the color of their skin and others lost their lives simply because of the space they occupied. Let us be clear, this was a hate crime that inflicted our community. We are all shocked and deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and with the entire WNY community. As members of the Hilbert College community, we send our deepest condolences and prayers to every family affected by this tragedy.
Please continue to check on one another as we display and convey God’s love to all people.
Let us recognize our call to heal, to unite and to advocate for racial equity and let us also pray for a change of heart for all those who harbor within themselves hatred for others.
Listed below are a few resources for those in need:
- Crisis Services 716-831-3434
- Mass will be offered Tuesday at 11:00am in St. Clare Chapel for the victims and their families.
- In addition, the following link is for a prayer service sponsored by Catholic Charities and scheduled for this Tuesday at 7pm Eastern time.
All are welcomed to attend. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7045696888 Meeting ID No. 704 569 6888 | By phone - +1 929 205 6099
- Finally, I will be available this week, M - Th between 9:00am – 2:00pm to meet with students, faculty, and staff, who simply need to talk or need a listening ear.
God Bless,
Diedre DeBose, Ed.D
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Additional Resources
Hilbert College Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion