Homecoming week Mass has always been a highlight event in an exciting week. Once a month Benilde-St. Margaret’s students and teachers gather in the great hall for Mass. As each mass is special in its own way, Mass during homecoming week brings a new element of participation as alumni return, other special guests come, and everyone is engaged while enjoying one another.
Recently the archdiocese inducted a new Bishop, Michael Izen. Catholic schools have the Bishop on a two-year visiting cycle. Last year at the Easter Mass, Archbishop Hebda joined BSM to celebrate and this year we had Bishop Michael Izen come. BSM Campus Minister Mike Jeremiah handles all the forms necessary to ensure Izen could make it to the Mass of his choosing. With this year being BSM’s 50th anniversary and the induction of BSM’s new president Danielle Hermanny, there was an additional layer of importance. “We thought having it at the beginning of the year [was too soon]. But we thought Homecoming was a perfect time for it. So I submitted all that information and everything worked out. And so we have the Bishop coming,” Jeremiah said.
Homecoming Mass is a special time to unwind and reflect on the week we have had so far and the rest of the week to come. It is a time when all students are welcomed back and the Bishop’s visit made it all the better. As Izen has a plethora of people who admire and follow him, BSM senior, Julia Lealos looked forward to the event. “Oh, I think that’s kind of fun and kind of unique because we don’t usually have people come into church. I feel like it’s always Father Wozniak… I feel like it always kind of marks like a special event when he comes,” Lealos said.
As BSM is a Catholic school, Mass is expected at least once a month. It gives BSM a chance to be all together without being at a football game or sitting in class. As Izen has come to commemorate Mass, it has exceeded expectations and made Mass all the more special. It is not every day the Bishop is able to come to school and lead us in Mass, especially for the students who have never seen or heard of Izen. “I think it’s great. It shows us that we are very connected to the archdiocese and that we’re very much a part of the Archdiocese… It’s something that we don’t get the opportunity to do too often. In fact, I’ve had kids come in and say, well, the only time I’ve ever seen a Bishop is when I’m confirmed,” Jeremiah said.
Having the Bishop here to commemorate and bless us and the year that we’re having [is great] I think this has been the best start to a year that we’ve had in a long time
— Mike Jeremiah
Excitement filled the hallways after BSM participated in an engaging and important Mass that emphasized a great start to the school year. “Having the Bishop here to commemorate and bless us and the year that we’re having [is great] I think this has been the best start to a year that we’ve had in a long time,” Jeremiah said.