Catholic Schools Week kicked off in a big way on Jan. 28 at St. Mark School in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood.
Excited students gathered in the church as they awaited the start of the all-school Mass that would be celebrated by Bishop Nelson Perez. Members of the choir gathered on the steps in front of the altar and greeted the bishop, pastor Father Adam Zajac and others by singing “Dona Nobis Pacem” before the entrance procession.
“That was beautiful,” Bishop Perez said. “Happy Catholic Schools Week,” he said to the students, faculty, staff and others gathered for Mass.
The bishop noted the school banner, which was carried in the entrance procession and displayed during Mass. It proclaimed St. Mark School as a community of faith, knowledge and service, in keeping with the slogan for Catholic Schools Week.
“Be the Light” is a theme St. Mark’s is following during Catholic Schools Week and something demonstrated during the Mass. Prior to the offertory procession, some students holding small battery-operated candles left their seats and lined the church. Other students in the congregation also had the lights, which they elevated during the offertory song.
One student in the offertory procession carried a large candle that was placed on a table near the altar during Mass. Principal Karen Cocita said it was in honor of a student who died suddenly after a brief illness two years ago.
As he began his homily, the bishop asked students to share what makes St. Mark School so special. Their answers included friends, technology, teachers, the principal, who was described as “a sweetheart,” the many activities, the opportunity to attend Mass, good priests like Father Zajac and having a visit from the bishop.
“Catholic schools are communities of faith, knowledge and service. God walks with you and he forms you,” Bishop Perez said. He told the students that time goes by quickly as he related a story from his recent visit to Philadelphia, where he served as a priest prior to his ordination as a bishop. He went back for a visit earlier this month to celebrate Mass for the 100thanniversary of a parish where he had served as pastor.
After Mass, a young woman came up and asked if he remembered her. He admitted she looked familiar, but couldn’t recall her name. She told him she often served Mass for him and said he was her favorite priest.
“I asked her how it was going and asked if she was a senior in high school now. She told me she’s been a lawyer for five years,” he said. “That’s how fast time goes by.” He urged the students to take advantage of the opportunities they have at St. Mark’s and to take care of their pastor, Father Zajac, who joined the parish about two months ago and was installed just before Christmas.
After Mass, the students presented Bishop Perez with a spiritual bouquet and sang the “Lion Song” for him.
He greeted students, parents and others and posed for photos with several babies and their mothers who attended the Mass.
“These are future Catholic school students,” he said, pointing to the infants.
Cocita and Father Zajac took the bishop on a tour of the school, which included visits to several classrooms and a walk through the school science fair. He also ate lunch with some students before heading to his next appointment.