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Loyola Celebrates the Start of a New School Year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit

8/21/2023

The Loyola Academy community celebrated its annual Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday, August 18, marking the beginning of the 2023–2024 school year. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a longstanding tradition among Jesuit high schools and universities, dating back to 1584. It provides students, faculty and staff a moment to pause, pray and seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in living out our mission to be women and men for others in the upcoming year.

The incoming Class of 2027 processed into the West Gym accompanied by a hearty applause from the upperclassmen. Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, was joined by concelebrants Rev. Stan Czarnecki, SJ, (campus minister); Rev. Matthew Dunch, SJ, (trustee); Rev. Charlie Rodrigues, SJ, (trustee), and Deacon Arkadiusz Ciemiega, SJ, (campus minister).

During the Homily, Fr. Ostdiek outlined for students the three important points at the intersection of faith and justice:

What we do in life matters.
What we don’t do in life matters.
Whom we help (or don’t help) matters most of all

“It’s so easy to do good to those who are already good to us,” explained Fr. Ostdiek. “And it’s so hard to do good for those who are not good to us.” He challenged students to “do well and do good” as they embark on a new school year.

Thank you to the following students for their help and participation in Mass: Student Council Class President Erin Keating ’24 (Call to Worship), Sinit Gebrehiwet ’24 (First Reading), Will Nimesheim ’24 (Intersessions), Patrick Shaughnessy ’25 (gift bearer), Reilly O’Hara ’25 (gift bearer), Sam Soco ’24 (cross bearer), and Lila Abebe ’24 (cross bearer).

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