Celebrating an Opening School Mass on Sept. 7 for students from St. Francis International School at St. Camillus Church in Silver Spring, Maryland, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory encouraged students to stay close to Jesus and to be at peace with one another. Franciscan Father Larry Hayes, a parochial vicar at St. Camillus, concelebrated the Mass. 

 The school has more than 300 students ranging from pre-K to eighth grade and encourages its students to be "instruments of God's peace, scholars, and global citizens," according to the school's mission. 

The first Scripture reading at the Mass was from the second letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, in which the apostle reassures the people of Corinth to keep their faith in Jesus. During his homily, Cardinal Gregory spoke about how St. Paul always encouraged and taught the Corinthians. 

 “When he wrote to them, he always encouraged them to stay faithful to Christ, which is why I am visiting St. Francis school today, to let you know that you are one of my favorite communities,” Cardinal Gregory said. 

The cardinal went on to explain how St. Paul's letters all had the same goal in mind: that the various communities be at peace with and love one another, and Cardinal Gregory said he hopes that students in the various grades at St. Francis International School will also be at peace with one another. The Holy Spirit, Cardinal Gregory said, is what gives wisdom to learn and grow through the teachings of Jesus.

After Communion, Sam Chapa, the principal at St. Francis International School, addressed the students, thanking Cardinal Gregory and the student lectors, and he presented the cardinal with a gift bag loaded with St. Francis items.

Chapa told the Catholic Standard after the Mass that the yearly celebration is a wonderful way to start the school year.

“It is a fantastic way to start the year, not only do we love our weekly liturgies because it brings us together spiritually, but then to start it with the cardinal, His Eminence, and such a wonderful blessing of his presence and leadership reaffirm that it's going to be a fantastic year and wonderful things are ahead,” Chapa said. 

Chapa commented on the cardinal's homily, saying that just as St. Paul led early Christians, so do teachers and staff in Catholic schools who continue to encourage students in their faith.

“We have early Christians in our school who are new to the faith, who are young and learning the faith, and so to have him (the cardinal) as a representative of St. Paul, sharing the Gospel with us, but sharing that guidance as a friend and as a mentor in faith really speaks to his role with us but also to all of our roles in Catholic education,” Chapa said.

As pandemic precautions continue to wane, Chapa said he looks forward to inviting parents back into the classroom for back-to-school celebrations so they can be more connected and engaged with the children and the school.