MICHIGAN CITY – A new school year is underway and Bishop Robert J. McClory joined the Marquette Catholic High School community to celebrate Mass, where he offered words of encouragement for the upcoming school year. He also challenged them to focus on their internal complexities and not so much on outward vanity.
“Know that you’ll be in my prayers as this school year is launched. The Lord has great things in store for Marquette Catholic High School this year,” said the bishop during Mass at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 27.
Father Zachary Glick, school chaplain and associate pastor, concelebrated the Mass.
Bishop McClory tapped the day’s Gospel from Matthew (23:27-32) where Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees they were like whitewashed tombs – beautiful on the outside, but “full of dead men's bones and every kind of filth” inside.
“It’s harsh words but they’re realistic words which forces us to say, ‘Lord, I want to go deeper. I want you to permeate my whole life,’” explained Bishop McClory.
“Our lives, sometimes, we can focus so much on the exterior – keeping up the appearances that everything is looking good.”
According to the bishop, we tend to judge ourselves and others based on the exterior, oftentimes covering the realities of what’s happening inside.
“Interiorly is much more complex – full of anxieties, full of sins, full of pain, uncertainties, fears, doubts about being accepted. The list goes on,” he said. “Sometimes we don’t like to go back to that part of the room. That means we have to face the reality of our need for God’s love.”
He reassured them, “No matter what’s going on in your life, it’s ok to go to Jesus and (say) ‘I messed up’ or ‘here’s what going on.’”
“The best decision you can make begins when you say, ‘Lord, change me from the inside out.’ It’s not about keeping up the appearances. It’s about being the real you. And your hearts, our hearts are restless until they rest in God.”
MQ sophomore Aggie Pezzuto shared how Mass with the bishop sets the tone for the new school year.
“It’s nice to have the whole community, the whole school come together for Mass, especially the first thing in the morning. It's nice to start your day off with Mass. It’s a nice, clean slate for the rest of the day and for the new school year.”
The bishop’s homily moved Pezzuto to focus more on the interior areas of her life.
“I really liked how he talked about not worrying about what's on the outside, just giving your whole heart to Jesus,” she said. “A lot of times, especially in high school, we're just so worried about everything around us. We kind of forget the whole purpose is just believing in God, loving God and blocking out all the excess noise and just focusing on him.”
Laynie Puckett also took the bishop’s homily to heart.
“I really liked what he said about working on our insides, like anxiety and other not so good stuff, and then not worrying so much about external things like appearances. I feel it will help me find myself and create a better person, a better student, a better athlete, a better me,” said Puckett. “I can ask God to help me with all my problems.”
Many, including senior Liam Gowan, shared how the Mass with the bishop allows the whole school community to come together as a family early in the new school year.
“It’s great to have everybody come and partake in Mass. It really sets the foundation for the school year – for our Catholic education and what we have to expect and what we come for. It's just so cool to do something like this,” said Gowan.
He feels the Mass also allows him to focus more on his faith life and academics.
“I’m able to focus more and learn more when I come here to school. It helps to integrate both faith and academics.”
Students shared their gratitude towards Bishop McClory for taking time to celebrate Mass with the school community.
“I’m very thankful that the bishop could come out. It’s an awesome opportunity for us to experience a Mass with the bishop,” said Nate Bakota.
As the school family gathered for Mass, the Marquette senior noted the increase of students in the pews.
“It’s really amazing to see how packed the Masses are now. Obviously, the population at MQ is growing,” said Bakota. “It’s cool there are students who can come here, some never experiencing a Catholic education, and thrive. They’ll love it.”
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory receives the gifts from Marquette students during Mass at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception on Aug. 27. (Deacon Bob Wellinski photo)
