The school year got off to a memorable start for the nearly 900 students at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls with a visit from Bishop Edward Malesic. He spent the morning there on Aug. 29 to celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit, to commission the new faculty, staff and extraordinary ministers of holy Communion.
Tim Grady, school president, welcomed the bishop and as a nod to his foot injury that prevented him from walking around the campus, Grady presented a brief slide show featuring highlights of the school.
Concelebrating the Mass were three Jesuit staff members: Father William O’Brien, vice president for mission and identity; Father Cyril Pinchak, a theology teacher and coordinator of spiritual formation for athletics and Father James McGivney, a campus minister and teacher.
(See photo gallery above.)
“This gym is filled with the breath of God’s life,” the bishop told the faculty, staff, students and guests gathered for the Mass. “Every time we breathe, we take in God’s life. God’s spirit is the fire of your spiritual engines,” he said, explaining each person has a spiritual engine and it needs fuel to move forward. “The spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Society of Jesus, who sponsor the school) is present in this school.”
He also told those gathered that time is a gift from God, encouraging them to use it well as they discern God’s will for them,
Bishop Malesic reflected on the shooting at Annunciation School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which took place two days earlier. Two students were killed and 21 others, mostly students, were injured.
“Be agents of peace,” he urged. “And you can only do that if you are agents of the Lord.”
The bishop reminded the seniors that soon they will be sent forth from Walsh Jesuit as evangelists, agents of the Lord. But now, as the school year begins, they have a chance for a new beginning, which can happen with God’s help.
At baptism, the Holy Spirit is breathed into us and our true identity is revealed: sons and daughters of God.
The bishop also encouraged the students to feed and build their bodies, but “don’t forget about your soul. Jesus will feed your soul … There is something special happening here today – Jesus is here.”
After Mass, the bishop received a bag of Walsh swag and he enjoyed lunch with four seniors, Grady and a few other administrators and board members before heading back to his office.