VASJ celebrates Opening Mass with 'Hope in Christ' as the theme

VASJ is blessed to start each school year by gathering as a community and praying together at an Opening Mass. This year’s theme, which stemmed from VASJ senior Elizabeth Smith’s idea, was “Hope in Christ.”

“It was during our Peer Ministry retreat when Ms.Latkovich was reading Romans 8:24-25, and I was thinking that is a really good motive to have and it just stuck with me,” Elizabeth says. In further conversation with the rest of the Peer Ministers, it was decided that would be the theme.

Elizabeth welcomed guests to the Opening Mass by reading that verse that touched her so deeply.

For in this hope we were saved.

Now hope that is seen is not hope.

For who hopes for what he sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see,

we wait for it with patience.

“This scripture passage describes how we must have hope in what we do not see,” Elizabeth says. “Hope is something that keeps many people going. It helps get people through stressful times. Faith is having hope in Christ. Hope is trusting that you will receive whatever it is you might ask for. It is also hope that what Jesus promised us is true. You cannot see what you hope for. You only trust that it is there. This is how our relationship with Christ is. We cannot see Him, or touch Him, but we trust he is there. We trust he is with us. We have faith.”   

Senior Ray Velez gave the first reading of Romans 8: 22-27.

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;

and not only that, but we ourselves,

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

we also groan within ourselves

as we wait for adoption,  the redemption of our bodies.  

 

For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees is not hope.

For who hopes for what one sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

 

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness,

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

And the one who searches hearts

knows what is the intention of the Spirit,

because he intercedes for the holy ones

according to God’s will.

VASJ senior Mary Furlan drew the beautiful illustration that was proudly hung over the stage in the gym. The reason for the boats and the lighthouse, Elizabeth explained, is that lighthouses provide hope for boats lost at sea.

“The light they see gives them hope,” Elizabeth says. “It provides them with evidence that they have found what they have been seeking. The light from the lighthouse represents Christ and how we look for him in the darkness of our lives.”

Fr. Joe Fortuna of Our Lady of the Lake presided over the Mass. During his Homily, he also spoke about hope and the importance of placing hope in God and wanting what God wants for us.

“We don’t always know what that is, but we trust that God knows what is best for us,” Fr. Joe said. “I pray for you and for all of us that we may place our hope in Christ.”

Romans 8: 22-27

We know that all creation is groaning in labor pains even until now;

and not only that, but we ourselves,

who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

we also groan within ourselves

as we wait for adoption,  the redemption of our bodies.  
 

For in hope we were saved.

Now hope that sees is not hope.

For who hopes for what one sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.

 

In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness,

for we do not know how to pray as we ought,

but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.

And the one who searches hearts

knows what is the intention of the Spirit,

because he intercedes for the holy ones

according to God’s will.

Four seniors (Elizabeth Smith, Mary Furlan, Eleanor Boru, and Timothy Raddell) were commissioned by Fr. Joe as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist.


 

Fr. Joe blessed all student leaders and prayed for a successful year at VASJ. Elizabeth encouraged her peers to carry that hope with them during the school year when the pressure of everyday life in high school and personal battles seem overwhelming.

“As we go throughout the rest of the year, never forget to have hope,” Elizabeth says. “Hope will carry you through the days where it may seem impossible. Most importantly, have hope in Christ. He is going to guide you through it all. He is going to be by your side even if you cannot see him. Trust that he is there and always wants what is best for us.”