Seeking the Magis
Highlights from the Sending Forth Mass
Fr. McGrath's Sending Forth homily
“Be more. Do more. Seek more,” advised Loyola President Rev. Patrick E. McGrath, SJ during his homily at the annual all-school Sending Forth Mass on May 15. “It’s the word Ignatius loved more than any other: Magis. More. Not more stuff. But a deeper more powerful, sincere response to your life — to the great question that is asked of us: What is it you plan to do with this one wild and precious life?
“Ignatius knew that if only we would quiet ourselves and invite God to use our imagination and memories,” Fr. McGrath explained, “our lives would be changed by the simple and yet extraordinarily profound realization that God is very close by. God has put you here on this earth for some extraordinary purpose.”
Mass began with the Call to Worship by Grace Quinn ’12 and Gavin Sullivan’12, who presented his winning essay about promoting peace — the same essay that he delivered to the Dalai Lama in April. Michael Kurzydlowski ’15 served as the Cross Bearer and Grace Moriarty ’14 as the Word Bearer. The Lectors were Thomas J. Gordon ’12 and Aileen Ryan ’12 and the General Intercessions were delivered by Brian Bredemann ’12 and Rose Tobin ’12. The Offertory was presented by William Bobrinskoy ’12, Lisa Cholewa ’12, Shauna Czarnik ’12 and Robert Delaney ’12. Brian Bredemann ’12, Anne Feifar ’12 and Ian Pappas ’12 served as Sacristans. Colleen Kollar ’12 served as cantor.
After Communion, Assistant Principal of Student Services Charles W. Heintz presented four All-School nominations and awards.
Sophia Day, Ji Eun Lee, Christina Ulowetz and Veronica White were nominated for the Gerard J. Brost Co-curricular Award, given annually to a member of the junior class for outstanding participation and leadership in non-athletic co-curricular activities.
Zachary Aldana, Priscilla Aning, Devon Hubbard, Colleen Kollar, Brittany McCray, Matthew Mozack, Teddi Weigel and John Witry were nominated for the Homer J. Richer Co-curricular Award, given annually to a member of the senior class for outstanding participation and leadership in non-athletic co-curricular activities.
The Brost and Richer Award winners were announced later that night at Loyola’s Honors Convocation.
Kathryn Hughes received the Michael Rebarchak ’79 Memorial Award, presented annually to the senior who, through his or her involvement in and around school, quietly makes things happen. As the award winner, Kathryn delivered a reflection at the Baccalaureate Mass and Breakfast on May 20 (click here to read story).
Gavin Sullivan's essay for peace
Brian Bredemann’s Fausone Medalist tribute
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of Loyola’s Fausone Medal. This award was established four years ago in honor of Molly Fausone ’08, who fractured her spine in a swimming accident after her freshman year and was confined to a wheelchair. Despite this devastating injury, Molly excelled as a Rambler, maintaining her ties to the Cross-Country and Soccer Teams and graduating at the top of her class. This year, Molly graduates from Stanford University.
The presentation of this year’s Fausone Medal began with a tribute to the winner, Germainy Deborah “Debbie” Mokeleba-Essalo '12, by her friend and classmate Brian Bredemann '12. Despite a childhood of staggering adversity that began in the war-torn Congo of Africa, Debbie has also excelled at Loyola Academy. She has been an active and involved member of the Class of 2012, serving others through the Arrupe Service Program and the Summer Service and Immersion Program; staying physically fit and setting a school record on the Women’s Varsity Track Team; and growing in myriad ways through her participation in cocurricular activities such as the Chinese Club, the French Club, the Gourmet Club/BBQ Club, the Law Club, Loyola Academy Loves Animals, the Maroon Platoon Spirit Squad, S.A.V.E. (Students Against Violating the Earth), the Spanish Club and the Speech and Debate Team. With her bright smile and optimistic attitude, Debbie has served as a shining example of faith, grace and fortitude.
“Call to mind the faces of people whose lives have touched yours this year,” suggested Fr. McGrath in his homily. “The stories that have moved you. The people who have made you laugh. The teammate who pushed you to go further. The coach or teacher who invited something more out of you that you did not think you had in you. Remember those faces—because that is the living presence of God.”
A Place Where Faith Can Flower
Rambler Eagle Scout Bobby Murphy '13 in the Sacred Heart Rosary Garden
When casting about for a suitable subject for his Eagle Scout project, Bobby Murphy '13 let his faith guide him. He decided to design a rosary garden for his parish and elementary school alma mater, Sacred Heart in Winnetka.
"I wanted the garden to have a religious and spiritual connection to the parish," he explained, "so I created a rosary garden that would provide a peaceful place where parishioners could reflect and pray."
Before he embarked on the project, Murphy studied landscaping books and consulted websites to learn about garden design, plant selection, soil preparation, sun exposure and garden maintenance. Then he created a garden design featuring a statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by flowering plants in colors that represented the Four Sacred Mysteries of the Rosary.
After the design was completed, the aspiring Eagle Scout recruited more than 30 volunteers from the Sacred Heart School and his Boy Scout troop. The garden, which was financed by 60 donors from the parish and took more than 160 hours to complete, was dedicated and blessed by Murphy's pastor in October 2011.