Students, faculty and staff at St. Francis Xavier School in Medina started the school year with a visit from Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost on Sept. 4.
The bishop celebrated Mass for the school community and took time to visit students in their classrooms afterward.
Concelebrating the liturgy were Father Anthony Sejba, St. Francis Xavier Parish pastor, Father John Mulhollan, St. Francis Xavier parochial vicar, and Father Ed Suszynski, pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians Parish, which has worship sites in Litchfield, Lodi, Seville and Nova. Deacon Bob Cavanaugh from St. Francis Xavier assisted at the Mass.
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“We are incredibly grateful for the bishop’s attendance at our school Mass and enjoyed showing him around our wonderful school afterward,” said Principal Danene Beal.
As Mass began, an eighth-grader welcomed the bishop and said the school community was gathered in prayer to reflect on the blessings they have received and to seek God’s grace as the students continue their studies.
Bishop Woost told those gathered that they should ask for God to bless their lives as they begin the new academic year. He encouraged them to pray that the Holy Spirit would fill them with peace to guide their lives and to help them do what Jesus asks of them.
He explained that he is a teacher at the seminary where he helps young men who are discerning the priesthood. Just like at St. Francis Xavier, he said the seminarians are asking God for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to help them be their best. “It is important to pray for one another,” he reminded them.
The day’s readings focused on gifts and the bishop showed the students a gift that had been left wrapped, pointing out the giver of the gift would have been disappointed if he or she knew that the gift had never been opened. He also pointed out they would have missed something by not opening and using or enjoying the gift.
“Today, you are the box. The spirit of God is in you. The pretty paper (wrapping) is your life. God is asking you to open it and share your gift from God with others. You are a gift to others,” he added.
He said they could be gifts to others by sharing their talents, being kind, supportive and helpful.
“Allow God to shine through you and be a gift to others. The best gift is the gift that you are. Be a gift for one another,” the bishop said.
After Mass, Father Sejba thanked Bishop Woost for his visit. “And thank you for being a gift to us.”
Beal and Father Sejba guided the bishop on a tour of the school before he had to return to the seminary where he said he was teaching a class that afternoon.