Loyola Celebrates the Solemnity of All Saints

11/4/2024

The Loyola community gathered to celebrate a beautiful All Saints Day Mass on Friday, November 1, with Loyola Academy President Rev. Gregory J. Ostdiek, SJ, presiding. In his homily, Campus Minister Rev. Stanislaw Czarnecki, SJ, encouraged students to find joy and happiness in the present moment.

"Each of us is called to live the fullness of life in communion with God and all our friends. And this eternal life starts here and now," he said. "I invite you today to open up and see that we experience many positive things at Loyola Academy." He reminded students that they can find happiness everywhere, even in small, everyday moments that are easy to overlook.

Fr. Stan continued by sharing the inspiring story of Blessed Carlo Acutis, who passed away in 2006 and was beatified by Pope Francis in 2018. He concluded the homily with "King of Love" by I Am They, a song based on Acutis's favorite psalm, which he sang on the guitar accompanied by the choir.

As students enjoyed time for prayer and reflection after Communion, the Honors Chamber Choir gave a captivating performance of "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" before Mass concluded. Click here to watch a recording of the performance.

Fr. Greg was joined by concelebrants Fr. Stan and Rev. Arkadiusz Ciemiega, SJ.

Thank you to our student choir and the following students for their help and participation in Mass:

Call to Worship: Leah Saahene '26

1st Reading: Lael O'Shaughnessy '25

2nd Reading: Colin Langford '25

Intercessions: Jonathan Hernandez ’25

Gift Bearer: Emily Vasilj '26

Gift Bearer: Ellen Osei '26

Cross Bearer: Natnael Tewelde '25

Book of the Gospels: Caroline Locke '25

Banner: Charles Close '25

Student Eucharistic Ministers: Alicia Hourihane '27, Amelia Lister '26, Ana Kimball '25, Carolina Gallo '25, Clare Leydon '25, Emilia Nelson '26, Grace Dwyer '25, Hannah Winters '26, Henry Fisk '26, Jacqui Lukic '25, Janie Nimesheim '25, JuJu Miller '26, Kate Dimberio '26, Keira Gergits '25, Lilly Ryan '26, Michelle Dutkin '26, Ryan Huening '26, Simone Abbasi '25, Isabella Allison '25, Emmary Arciniega '25

Faculty and Staff Eucharistic Ministers: Armida Dabu, Fr. Arek Ciemiega, SJ, Fr. Stan Czarnecki, SJ, Fr. Greg Ostdiek, SJ, Erin O'Sullivan, Mary McGann, Adam Dirnberger, Sara Cagle, Mary Catherine Costello, Jean Buckley

Student Sacristans: Colin Langford '25, Addison Leadbetter '25, Brandon Matejka '25, Rebecca Jalloway '25, Danny Vehovsky '26

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