With starting a new school year comes getting back in the swing of the Padua liturgies. On September 14th, 2012, all of Padua Academy, old faces and new, gathered back into our cafetorium for the first liturgy of the 2012-2013 school year.
Senior Madelyn Ray opened the liturgy by welcoming everyone after they had settled in. The music ministers led us in our opening hymn “Our God is Here,” making us aware of God in our presence during our gathering. After our new pastor, Father Nick, introduced himself and said a few of his opening words, the Liturgy of the Word began. Senior Claire Nester did a reading, senior Becca Kowalski strongly lead us in the responsorial psalm “Center of my Life,” and sophomores Kelsey McGarry and Corrin Rogers cantered the Alleluia prior to the Gospel.
Following the Liturgy of the Word was the gospel, ‘Matthew 7:7-12,’ which had the very clear message: do to others what you would have them do to you. Father Nick followed the gospel reading with a great homily. First he told us a bit about himself, such as how he grew up in Philadelphia and went to an all-boys catholic school. He also talked about how he admires the close friendships and bonds we form as sisters at Padua, and that we have that bond with God as well. Fr. Nick’s homily expressed that God is our friend, He is always there. His son Jesus also gave us a different view on the symbol of the catholic cross; it went from a symbol of sadness and death to a symbol of Him dying for us for us to gain eternal happiness in heaven with Him someday.
The mass continued on to the Liturgy of the Eucharist after Father Nick’s homily. Father commissioned the new Eucharistic Ministers:
- Lara Ballintyn
- Ashley Barnett
- Catriona Brady
- Sarah Cushing
- Maria Sutton
- Madeline Waegele
- Katie Wecht
Then Madelyn Ray guided us all through the prayer of the faithful. Then music ministers lead us in our preparation song, “Many are One,” as freshman Margaret Achenbach and senior Sara Curley brought up the bread and wine. After Father prepared and blessed the gifts, the music ministers cantered us through the Eucharistic acclamations and Lamb of God, and then onto the enthusiastic communion song that everyone could participate in, “We Are One Body.”
After communion was concluded, Father Nick gave everyone the final blessing, and told us to go and carry out God’s word. The mass ended with the singing of another popular song, the powerful “Awesome God.” Regardless of a few sound system difficulties, the liturgy went very smoothly. It was a great way to end our first full week of school, and remind us to keep God with us over the weekend and new school year.