Students Gather for Inaugural Teach-In

In anticipation of the November election, the entire school gathered for the Cheverus Teach-In on October 24. Classes were canceled for the day so that all members of the school community could participate in the day-long program focused on listening, learning, and engaging on important political issues in the 2024 election. The Cheverus Teach-In included a keynote speaker and four panels on Environment, Immigration, Mental Healthcare, and Homelessness. Above all, the Cheverus Teach-In created space for students to engage in civil discourse.

Fr. Daniel Gustafson, SJ, a doctoral student at Boston College, was the keynote speaker. In his address, he said that from the beginning, “Jesus got involved,” that Jesus came to this world, “as one of us, as part of the process.” Gustafson called on the Cheverus community “to get involved and to take it seriously.” He said, “We as members of the Ignatian community,” are called to ask, “what more can we bring to political conversation? Yes today, but also moving forward from today.” 

In addition to Fr. Gustafson, Cheverus hosted thirteen speakers from the Portland community, including four alumni: Mark Dion, Mayor of Portland; Lt. Robert Doherty, Portland Police; Andrew Bove ’02, Preble Street; John Concannon ’98  HUD; Joel Furrow, The Root Cellar; Angela Stone, Maine Needs; Mufalo Chitam, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition; Peter Dugas ’93, Citizen Climate Lobby; Abigail Hayne, Maine Youth Climate Engagement Coordinator; Louise Roy, State of Maine Hydrogeologist; Caitlin Eldridge, Professor at St. Joseph’s College; Peter O’Donnell ’79, Veterans Health Care Administration; Steve Cote, Ignatian Spirituality Coalition. 

Students moderated the four panels and there was time for reflection in small groups. The day concluded with Mass, celebrating the Feast of the North American Martyrs, and during Mass, the Cheverus delegation to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ) was commissioned. The IFTJ delegation traveled to Washington, DC later that week and upon their return to Portland, met with representatives from Sen. Susan Collins’ office, advocating on the issues of immigration reform and climate legislation.

Principal Dr. John Moran said, “The Cheverus Teach-In afforded us the opportunity to both model civil discourse and political debate for our students, and to accompany them shoulder-to-shoulder in this endeavor.” 

For more information on the Cheverus Teach-in, click here.