More of Nashville steps forward to say 'No' to English Only referendum now in early voting

The longer it is up for consideration, the more that opposition is building from good people to the English Only referendum now being considered in early voting in Nashville.

When people are given time to think, then they learn. And what they are learning about the diversity of languages in Nashville is that we all gain from knowing more about others, their customs and their marvelous uniqueness in this world.

And so, while not officially addressing this social issue, Overbrook School in Nashville -- run by the good and tough Dominican nuns -- will hold a Spanish language Mass Friday to celebrate that tongue and the power possessed by a bilingual child.

You know why China is passing us as an economic superpower? Yes, wages are lower but their people save more of what they earn. And here is its big advantage for the future: China will be the largest English-speaking nation in the world. That means all its citizens will be bilingual -- and very powerful.

So it is your choice Nashville: cling to one language and fall behind the rest of the world in jobs, awareness and leadership or embrace the power of more a diverse city. Attend Friday's Mass at Overbrook and feel that power.

Here is the press release issued today:


Overbrook School will celebrate a Mass in Spanish Jan. 9 as a way to highlight the language studied by all its students, the versatility of the Catholic Mass and the growing number of Spanish-speaking students in the school and greater Nashville.
The Rev. Anthony Lopez, a newly ordained priest from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, will celebrate the Mass at 8 a.m. in the Overbrook gym. The Mass will not be entirely in Spanish as Father Lopez, who is bilingual, is saying the homily in English. The Mass parts that are sung, the readings, introduction, and Prayers to the Faithful will be in Spanish, as will the Our Father. The other parts of the Mass that are generally spoken and the homily will be in English.
Overbrook Spanish teacher Katherine Morrice is organizing the Mass.
“I am choosing some of our bilingual students to do the readings,” said Mrs. Morrice, who has a master’s degree in Spanish and music. She teaches band as well as Spanish at Overbrook. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Aquinas College. All Overbrook students have been learning Spanish songs in music and Spanish classes in preparation for the Mass.
Overbrook has seen diversity increase to 13% of the total student body this year.
Overbrook School which opened in 1936, is owned and operated by The Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia Congregation. Overbrook is a co-educational, Catholic school for pre-k through eighth grade students where children grow in grace and knowledge. It shares The Dominican Campus with St. Cecilia Academy and Aquinas College. A total 47% of the Overbrook faculty and administration hold advanced degrees. This past spring Overbrook junior high math students won the Father Ryan High School Math contest for
the ninth time since 1997.
We invite you to attend Mass with us this Friday.