Blue Jays gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs on Thursday, Aug. 20, for the first school-wide monthly Mass of the 2015-16 academic year. (Click to view Mass photos.)

Blue Jays gathered in the Chapel of the North American Martyrs on Thursday, Aug. 20, for the first school-wide monthly Mass of the 2015-16 academic year. Students bring their prayer books to the chapel to participate more fully in the Mass.

Jesuit president Fr. Anthony McGinn, S.J. ’66 was the main celebrant. In his homily, he proclaimed this Mass to be one of Thanksgiving. Reflecting on the disaster brought by Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago, Fr. McGinn recalled how that recovery effort was brought about by the power of gratitude. Being thankful for families and community helped people overcome the toxicity of the events. Likewise, Fr. McGinn offered to review the day with gratitude and find someone for whom to be thankful, to help overcome toxic thoughts and attitudes.

Concelebrating Mass with Fr. McGinn were Fathers John Brown, S.J., Kevin Dyer, S.J., Billy Huete, S.J., Norman O’Neal, S.J., and Don Saunders, S.J. Serving as Eucharistic ministers were Br. Terry Todd, S.J. and Jesuit scholastics Mr. Stephen Kramer, S.J. and Mr. Julio Minsal-Ruiz, S.J.

Student ministers serving in the Mass were: seniors Joseph Stagni and Brady Stiller, junior Hayden Ricca, and freshman Matthew LaCour as altar servers; seniors Joey Bongiovanni, Carlo Carino and Matthew Torres as readers; seniors Ross Barrilleaux, Victor Castellon, Benji Creel, and Evan Dudenhefer as extraordinary eucharistic ministers; and sophomores Luke Parks and William Simons as gift bearers.

The next school Mass will be the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit on Friday, Sept. 4. Blue Jays are reminded to wear a coat and tie and to bring their prayer books with them to Mass. Dismissal will follow immediately after Mass, at approximately 9:15 a.m.