Bishop Gorman’s first all-school mass welcomed freshmen, reunited upperclassmen, and set the 2025-2026 school year in motion through faith and community on Aug. 14.

The mass also included the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, which was all the more reason for celebration. It granted its listeners the opportunity to reflect on the central role of Mary in the Catholic faith and to begin the school year rooted in reverence and hope. Students, faculty, and staff participated during this faithful event in song, speech, prayer; overall, renewing a sense of community and purpose to start the academic year off on the right foot. 

“I felt a sense of peace and fulfillment when I took Communion,” Emily Clarke ‘28 recalled.

Fr. Jacob discussed the many things God has placed around his children that are often overlooked. So many small things that are worth taking time to think about are ignored due to the business of everyone’s lives. Fr. talked about how despite anyone’s ignorance, God will always be present for his children. “The stars are always there, we just choose to ignore them [until] we see their magnificence,” Fr. Jacob said.

Upperclassmen, lowerclassmen, transfer students, and everyone in between were reminded of one thing during the mass—the unique way Bishop Gorman celebrates their faith. Every year, the first mass is distinct and special. Its purpose is to remind its participants of the school’s devotion to the Catholic faith while also coming together as one school community while everyone had their individual experiences of feeling the holy presence. 

“I felt the holy presence through the choir and the unity of the audience in the pews,” Nikko Delgado ‘27 said.