Blue Jays Honor Their Mothers at Annual Mother-Son Mass & Breakfast
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Lorraine Hess and her sons Christian ’18 and Holden ’22 take their seats before Mass begins at the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Jesuit is “alma mater” to every young man who walks the halls at Carrollton and Banks. The characterization of Jesuit High School as “dear mother” is founded upon the partnership between the school and the parents of each student. This teamwork in raising men of faith and men for others enables students to become leaders for the community and world.
The Mass was celebrated at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, which remain in the spot adjacent to the original site of the school on Baronne and Common Streets.
On Saturday, Oct. 21, Blue Jays and their mothers – some 350 people in all – gathered for the annual Mother-Son Mass & Reception to celebrate the special bond between Blue Jays and their mothers. The morning began with Mass at the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception, after which Blue Jays and their mothers walked across Baronne Street to the Roosevelt Hotel for breakfast and a series of presentations about the ways in which Blue Jay moms have made a difference in their sons’ lives.
View the Video of the Address by Patrick Schwing ’18
View the Video of Address by Luke Sisung ’18
View the Video of the Address by Jesuit Counselor Justin Genovese ’04
Jesuit’s president, Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., was the principal celebrant of the Mass. During the homily, Fr. Fronk read a letter that he had written to his mother while deployed in Afghanistan, acknowledging the lessons she had taught him to reach outside the family circle to help others in love.
Mass was concelebrated by Fr. Paul Shaughnessy, S.J., and Fr. Donald Saunders, S.J., both teachers at Jesuit. The Jesuit choir, accompanied by IMJC organist Paul Wattigny and directed by Mr. Jeremy Reuther ’01 and Mr. Scott Delatte ’06, provided music for the Eucharistic celebration.
At the reception, Fr. Fronk reiterated words of welcome and commented on the remarkable Jesuit family of which he is now proud to be a part. Jesuit’s director of institutional advancement Tom Bagwill then introduced the senior speakers, Patrick Schwing and Luke Sisung, and a special surprise speaker, Jesuit counselor Mr. Justin Genovese ’04, who spoke about his mother Karen.
Jesuit offers its thanks to Fr. Frank Reale, S.J., the pastor at IMJC, for making the historic home church of Jesuit High School available for the Mass and to all those who attended this meaningful event of connection.
Galleries
Mother-Son Mass & Reception, October 21, 2017
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Senior Brady Moran with his mother Tracy -
Pre-freshman Marcus Miller with his mother Jori -
Senior Luke Sisung and his mother Debbie -
Senior Christian Hess and pre-freshman Holden Hess with their mother Lorraine -
David Kessler and Thomas Cecola join visiting Jesuit novice Mr. Jorge Roque, n.S.J., as servers for the Mass. -
Mass begins with the entrance procession. -
Senior Luke Sisung reads the First Reading. -
The Responsorial Psalm is led by senior Brady Moran. -
Fr. Christopher Fronk, S.J., reads a letter that he wrote to his mother years ago while he was in Afghanistan as a way of relating the valuable lessons taught to him by his mother. -
James Alvarez leads the congregation in the the first half of the Prayers of the Faithful... -
...followed by his mother Jane Alvarez, who lead the congregation in praying the second half of the Prayers of the Faithful. -
The gifts are brought forward by freshman Robert Kuhner and his mother Debbie and Joseph Liberto and his mother Evelyn. -
Fr. Fronk receives the gifts for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. -
The Jesuit choir leads the congregation in the hymns for Mass. -
After Mass, Blue Jays and their mothers crosses the street to the Roosevelt Hotel for breakfast and a short program. -
Fr. Fronk gives words of welcome during the program at the hotel. -
Tom Bagwill introduces the three speakers who honored their mothers. -
Senior Patrick Schwing speaks about his mother Diane... -
...who takes in her son's loving words. -
Patrick and his mother share a warm hug after the presentation. -
Patrick Schwing and his mother Diane -
Senior Luke Sisung takes the podium as the second speaker. -
After his talk, Luke hugs his mother Debbie. -
Luke Sisung and his mother Debbie. -
Jesuit guidance counselor Mr. Justin Genovese '04 surprises his mother by taking the podium as the third speaker. -
Mr. Genovese greets his mother Karen after sharing his presentation with the crowd. -
Justin Genovese '04 and his mother Karen -
Pre-freshman Ryan Porche and his mother Danielle -
Senior Andrew Hemelt and his mother Cheri -
Junior Adam Francis and his mother Kimberly -
Alec and Ian Cruz-Schneider and their mother Ingrid -
Senior Johnny Williams and his mother Sapphire -
Senior Kelly Zeringue and his mother Sandy
