On Tuesday, January 24, the Jesuit community gathered together to celebrate the first all-school mass of the year. The mass was given by Father Kellerman and Deacon Knight. The mass celebrated the Feast Day of Saint Frances de Sales, a doctor of the Church.
The Homily
During the homily, Fr. Kellerman emphasized the importance of loving one another and how we should try to tell or show how we love each other in our daily lives. In addition, he discussed how love brings us happiness and how it will help our daily life and the lives of the people we love.
Connor Cole ’25 said “I was glad to be invited spiritually throughout the mass. The theme of being loving was very touching and I was able to use it and ponder about it throughout my day.”
Who is Saint Frances de Sales?
Francis, planning on becoming a lawyer like his father, became a priest in Geneva Switzerland later in his life. Working in a Calvinist-strong Geneva, Francis worked on converting people to Catholicism by successfully writing pamphlets about the Catholic doctrine. Francis later became the Bishop of Geneva and wrote two books, Introduction to the Devout Life and A Treatise on the Love of God, that was based on the pamphlets he wrote about the true Catholic Doctrine. Also, Francis worked with other Saints to promote virtue’s importance to the community and how it will be important in our lives. Francis would later be declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Pius IX and is the patron saint of journalism and adult education.
Helpers of the Mass
Many students and faculty made this mass possible from the choir, lectors, acolytes, eucharistic ministers, and many more. Thank you to all of them for their hard work and dedication to make each mass amazing!
Richard Stanford ’24, a reader at Mass, said “Reading is a very unique opportunity that I am so blessed to have, as not many schools in Texas celebrate Mass. This opportunity fills me with pride, joy, and excitement. Pride because I am proud to be Catholic, joy because I get to share this unique experience with my Jesuit brothers, and excitement from the feeling I get walking up to the podium.”
Sebastian Suwanda ’26, who helped administer the Eucharist said, “For me, it is a honor to help administer the sacrament to my fellow students.”
Recognition of New Faculty
At the end of mass, Mr. Garrison welcomed four new faculty who joined the Jesuit community at the beginning of this semester.
Nick Figueroa – Video Production Specialist
Kimberlie Scales – Athletic Trainer
Michael Proctor – Athletic Trainer
Nick Hinkley – Hockey Coach
Conclusion
This beginning mass of the new year is a great starting point for the Jesuit community to embrace the virtue of love and remember Jesus’ famous saying to “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” (John 13:34)
Thank you for reading and stay tuned to The Roundup for more coverage of Jesuit Campus Ministry and student life!
