Central Catholic Welcomes EWTN Host as Black History Month Speaker
Central Catholic welcomed guest speaker, Gloria Purvis, in honor of Black History Month. Ms. Purvis is a journalist and recent host of a radio show on the EWTN Global Catholic Television Network. She shared her stories and experiences of hope and human dignity.
Ms. Purvis explained that she attended Catholic school and had an experience during childhood that transformed her thinking. She became Catholic at the age of 12 and was the only Catholic in her family. She graduated from Cornell University, despite the fact that her high school counselor tried to steer her away from applying and attending.
She went on to a successful career in real estate finance, but did not find it fulfilling, and realized that money wasn’t making her happy. She felt called into media and journalism so she could help spread the truth, and she encouraged the students to be open to what God wants them to do. Ms. Purvis talked about respecting life from the womb to the tomb, and she stressed that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and is worthy of our respect.
Students had the opportunity to ask her questions, and one wanted to know how she felt about people who say horrible things to her on social media. She answered by saying she prays for them and she realizes that more work needs to be done.
Members of the Spiritual Commission and African American Club enjoyed lunch with Ms. Purvis after the assembly.
Senior Jalen Riven is a member of the African American Club. He said, “I had the great honor of meeting Ms. Gloria Purvis, and it was absolutely amazing. She gave excellent words of wisdom to our school and insight that was much needed for all in attendance. The way she cares about her faith and embraces being a black woman in our society today is very commendable. I truly felt encouraged after hearing her stories of how she handled racial injustices and discrimination with such poise through her teen years, and even now in her adulthood. It helps me to know that my passion and desire to seek change for my peers and within my community is not abnormal. I owe Ms. Purvis a huge thank you for her time and effort, and her willingness to elaborate on such an incredible topic that affects us all today.”
Liam Brown, a member of the Spiritual Commission, said, “My morning routine often involved Ms. Purvis. While she had her EWTN show, Morning Glory, I tuned in regularly to listen. I would fail if I tried to articulate the impact Ms. Purvis’ witness as a disciple to Jesus has had on me. As a cradle Catholic, I identify with Catholicism. That is my entire being. This is why when I heard that Ms. Purvis was coming to speak to us, my heart jumped with joy. From her testimonies about her life experiences, the ways she related to us as teens, to her theological knowledge, Ms. Purvis was exactly what we needed!”
