MICHIGAN CITY - “What do I want this year to be like?…and what do we look forward to in the future?” Bishop Robert J. McClory offered up those thoughts as he began his homily for Marquette Catholic High School students and staff to reflect on as they begin a new school year.
The traditional Back to School Mass was held at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Aug. 26. Father Alex Kouris, associate pastor at Holy Family Parish and Marquette’s chaplain, along with Father Daniel Raab, associate pastor, Mary Mother of Mercy Parish concelebrated the Mass.
In his homily, the bishop stressed the importance of being witnesses to others by the way they live their lives, both in school and out of school – by the way they help others, in the littlest and largest of ways.
“In starting the school year, everybody here is giving witness to everybody else, that how you live, how you act, how you live out of your faith and how you witness to others, affects other people,” he said.
The bishop’s words were not only directed towards the students, but to teachers and staff as well. “People will listen to teachers, but only if they're witnesses first… it's like, show me what you believe,” he said.
“Suddenly, you realize that just in a simple way, you can have a tremendous effect on so many others,” added the bishop.
Senior Madison Rice described the “witnessing” displayed by the Marquette teachers and the impact they’ve had on her. “They're really willing to help you. If they see you struggling, they're always there for you. The bishop told us today that we’re to be nice to everybody and I think that's going to help a lot of people and influence them to do better.”
Bishop McClory acknowledged the reality that no one is perfect but urged everyone to reconcile through the Blessed Sacrament and with the person they may have hurt. “We're not going to be perfect. To have the courage to say you're sorry is so transformative, and the person who you may have offended is probably going to love you all the more because you have the courage to admit that,” he said.
The bishop concluded his homily with a simple reminder for a successful and transformative school year. “Real simple. I love God, I love my neighbor. I'm not perfect, but He is. I'm going to try my best to live out what I believe. And if one person does that, it affects another person, and another person, and another person... That will make for an amazing year at Marquette.”
Students and staff shared their appreciation for Bishop McClory, along with the two priests, who took time to celebrate Mass with the Marquette community as they kicked off a new school year.
“It’s crazy that the bishop came all the way out to our little school on 10th Street. It was a really great opportunity to have him,” said Tim Kelly, a junior.
Kelly also praised the bishop for his homily. “Phenomenal homily by the bishop. It really just sets the tone for the school year. It lets us know that God is always with us.
Fellow junior Evan Wittorp also agreed that the Mass kicks off a new school year on the right foot, especially having the bishop visit. “It's a great introduction into Catholic life here at Marquette. I think it sets the tone by bringing God more into our life. It helps us to truly focus on what the importance of our life is – this school, our relationship with God and one another.”
Sophia Legros joins many other apprehensive freshmen just beginning their journey at Marquette. She previously attended LaPorte Middle School.
“I was nervous and scared that I wouldn't meet anybody. I thought high school would be stressful, but it's not,” Legros said. “Everybody has been very nice and they all have helped me out.”
She added how the bishop’s visit and his homily has reinforced that sense of peace and reassurance for the upcoming school year and her years to come.
“I felt very calm during his homily,” Legros said. “I think the year’s going to be very easy and relaxing as I get to know more people throughout my school years here at Marquette.”
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory greets students and teachers Marquette Catholic High School’s Back to School Mass on Aug. 26 at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church in Michigan City. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
