St Stephens Academy - Academician Yearbook (Port Huron, MI)

Page 14 text:

Singing the Mass brings to life the liturgical spirit Francine Malane, junior organist, sings the Propers and plays the accompaniment for the student body ' s singing of Mass XII. Participating in the Sacrifice of the Mass prepares us for the day ' s struggle. To be on time for the eight o ' clock Mass represents a willing sacrifice on the part of each individual. Many of the students come from out- of-town areas: Emmett, Goodells, Wadhams, Lexington, Lakeport, Marysville, St. Clair, and Sparlingviile. In accordance with our Holy Father ' s wish that Cath- olics throughout the world take a more active part in the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice, the student body sings the morning Mass, accompanied by the organist. Many students also receive Holy Communion, thus fully participating in divine worship. It is customary for many during lunch hour to slip into church for a short Eucharistic visit. At the cru- cial times of football and basketball contests, they are joined by the entire student body in publicly re- citing the rosary. On certain occasions, such as retreat, closing of May, and Holy Hours, Benediction of the most Blessed Sacrament is given. These events, especially the three day retreat given by Father Raymond Ellis during Pas- sion Week, are of special significance for the seniors, many of whom earnestly endeavor to make this last high school retreat their best. Encouraged by the words, “He who sings, prays twice, the jun- iors and seniors participate fully in the praising of God at Holy Mass. Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glor- ificamus te, sing the students as they kneel in adoration. 10

Page 13 text:

STRENGTH to meet life’s V- • fffo. problems Spiritual strength is imparted to us by many and various means. Prominent among these is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Daily Mass is provided for us so that it may be the functional or operative center of our lives, in truth, an accurate measure of us as Catholics. In active participation at the Mass we come to a better knowledge, and therefore a love of the Mass. We realize that it is at Mass that we draw near to God, the Author of ail Strength. For us the Mass purifies; the Mass strenth- ens; the Mass brings peace. Fortified by these graces received, we can strive man- fully to overcome the evil we encounter and to stand free in God’s truth. Much of our vigor and strength comes, of course, from the Sacraments. These help us to reproduce in ourselves the sentiments which Christ had when He was on earth. They not only give us strength but a way of applying it — a Way of Life. Thus they enable us to live and teach us how to do so. In the Sacraments Christ is giving us life, He is teaching us, He is forgiving us, and He is strengthening us. Most important of these is the Sacra- ment in which the holy and powerful per- sonality of Jesus comes into contact with us, with a nearness that did not exist before. In our Holy Communions we look for strength — strength to work and to suffer, to live for God. Throughout the school year, we renew our spiritual strength by using some of the many sacramentals. Prominent among these were the daily use of holy water, a loving reverence for the Sign of the Cross, a participation in the spiritual blessings of the Church, such as the blessing of the throats on the feast of St. Blaze, and the receiving of blessed ashes on Ash Wednesday. Frequently, as a group, we prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, the rosary in hon- or of our Lady. Many of these were re- vitalized during Retreat. It was a time we relived our dedication to Christ. We ratified on our own account what we once received at Baptism. As the first day of Retreat comes to a close, Father Edward DeMars, the pastor, bestows the blessing of God on the high school retreatants. 9

Page 15 text:

In keeping with the tradition of offering the first Stephen students unite their prayers with those of Mass of the school year to the Holy Spirit, Saint Father DeMars, to the Giver of Strength and Wisdom. 11