St. Patrick Alumnus Father Colten Symmes celebrates Mass on Thursday, August 23

On Thursday, August 23, St. Patrick held the second Mass of the year in the cafeteria. This school-wide Mass was celebrated by Father Colten Symmes, who graduated from St. Patrick in 2008. He gave a very moving homily about how the Church is one and how if one person in the Church is hurt, everyone feels their pain.

Beyla Bleichner commented on the homily, saying, “I found it very heartwarming when Father Colten apologized on behalf of the Church and the priests in Pennsylvania. It put a lot of things in perspective for me as a teenager, and it showed me that we are in God’s hands. We just need to trust in Him and never lose faith.”

The students participated in the Mass in various ways, which included: reading the Liturgy of the Word, reading the responses, and helping with the procession of the gifts.

Teal Salloum said, “I think it’s really cool how the Pope emphasized that if only one person in the Church is hurt, everyone is affected. This shows the characteristics of a true Catholic!”

Photos from the Mass can be viewed here.

Story by Emma Bruffey