Carrying forward Mary Luke Tobin SL’s passion for social justice

We cannot look at the immense suffering in our world and say ‘Wow, that is sad,’ but should go out and make an actual difference.

Katherine Philipsen

By Katherine Philipsen

Catholic social justice plays a crucial influence in the role I hope to take on in serving my community as a woman, student and follower of Christ. For the past six years, I’ve held leadership roles in the National Charity League of Boulder County, Colo. This mother/daughter volunteer organization serves causes close to my heart. Our philanthropic activities have included writing cheer cards for Children’s Hospital, cleaning the streets at a local art fair, volunteering at the Children’s Museum, making sandwiches for homeless youth and welcoming home veterans at Denver International Airport who had been on an Honor Flight. As part of the apostolic ministry group at Holy Family High School, I’ve volunteered in the community for organizations such as Christ in the City, which serves the homeless population in Denver. 1 John 4 tells us that we cannot love God without loving our neighbor and that God is with us when we are with them. Without kinship among people we cannot have justice. We must remember that humanity was made to live in harmony, and we Catholics should strive to be role models of harmony with all of God’s creation. Service allows me to bring my whole self to any situation or group, and I am grateful for any opportunity that may come my way.

People of different backgrounds, cultures and social status can give us important insight, worldviews and lessons that shape the world for the better. Diversity and solidarity can go hand in hand. A very meaningful experience for me was when I attended the Fundamentals of Engineering Program with Summer Springboard at U.C. San Diego in the summer of 2024. I worked on projects with students my age from all around the world. Our different strengths, perspectives, knowledge and skill levels came together to fit like a puzzle. Cultural diversity can have great advantages in solving real world problems and/or injustices. Furthermore, working with people more or less fortunate than you is crucial to solving social justice issues.

This idea connects to a lesson I learned in my faith and action class during the fall of 2024. My class was visiting the Refuge in Broomfield, Colo., and encountered a man who had previously been homeless. Something that he said has stuck with me to this day. He told us to be “proactive and not reactive.” We cannot look at the immense suffering in our world and say “Wow, that is sad,” but should go out and make an actual difference. As suburban teenagers, we usually hear of injustices in the world, but have little exposure to it in day-to-day life. We must actively work to change this situation. 

I plan on attending the University of Colorado at Boulder, and was accepted into the biological engineering program. After college I hope to work as an engineering manager or biological engineer. I anticipate continuing my social justice concerns/activities through the Fellowship of Catholic University Students as well as community service clubs in college. I want to pursue math and science to solve human problems. 1 Peter inspires me to use my talents and gifts to serve others. My college education will foster growth and provide opportunities to put these gifts into practice.

The senior recipients, in their years at Holy Family, have consistently echoed the cry of the poorest of our society for dignity and labored in their own way for justice and peace — both inside and outside the Church.

Ken Fitch, Mary Luke Tobin Social Justice Award cofounder

Pursuing Justice

Action for justice is a constituent element of the Gospel,” wrote Mary Luke Tobin SL. Ken Fitch, teacher at Holy Family High School in Broomfield, Colo., was inspired by Mary Luke’s commitment to social justice to create a scholarship for seniors who demonstrate a commitment to social justice. The first Mary Luke Tobin Social Justice Award was presented in 2012. Recipients of the award plan to continue their social justice actions beyond high school.

Learn more about Mary Luke Tobin SL in the fall 2023 issue of Loretto Magazine.

To read all of the articles in the summer 2025 issue click here.