(photos by Anthony D. Alonzo for NWI Catholic)
MERRILLVILLE | Bishop Robert J. McClory didn’t have to look far for the perfect symbol of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross when he visited Andrean High School on Sept. 14 to celebrate Founder’s Day with the first all-school Mass of the 2020-21 school year in the football stadium.
“I see a spectacular crucifix out in front of this school, (telling you) when you drive by that this is a Catholic institution,” said the bishop. “But what does it mean to have a crucifix as a dominant image of our faith?”
“Let us honor our past and those who preceded us ... honor our present ... and let us look boldly and fearlessly to our future,” the bishop said. “It was on this day 61 years ago that Andrean High School was established. We respond to this gift with repentant hearts.”
Students spread out on the bleachers to follow safe distancing protocols. The bishop congratulated the school family on its 61st anniversary and spoke of the benefits of Catholic education.
He also displayed a ring given to the first Bishop of Gary, Andrew G. Grutka, by Pope Paul VI. Bishop McClory said the Holy Father had heard how much Bishop Grutka was an advocate for equality among the races and gave him the ring as a gift.
Andrean is named after the first bishop.
See full coverage of the all-school Mass in the Oct. 4 issue of the Northwest Indiana Catholic, your Diocese of Gary newspaper.
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