How the Campus Ministry team makes school Masses their own The colorful Mylar balloon tied with a red ribbon to the portrait of a young, gently smiling Cornelia Connelly said so much more than “Happy Birthday.” It said that teenage girls were honoring the foundress of their Holy Child education like teenage girls do—with a cute balloon. The joyful touch also spoke to how the Mayfield Campus Ministry team has dedicated themselves to finding ways to make monthly school Masses a deeply felt time of worship for their classmates. Along the way, they have learned rewarding lessons about their faith and the important role of women leaders in the Church. “We really want to make the Masses something that students look forward to and enjoy,” said Mary Rose Hawkins ’17, one of
four senior Campus Ministry leaders, along with Lindsay Bowen ’17, Annabella Gaspar ’17 and Kaitlyn Maddigan ’17. They care so much about creating a meaningful Mass experience that they surveyed students to identify favorite hymns to encourage more singing. The Mayfield top hymn hits? “On Eagles Wings,” “Pan de Vida” and “Trading My Sorrows (Yes Lord).” In theology classes, students often practice the Mass songs at least once. “Song is an important part of worship,” Mary Rose said. “It’s another form of prayer and some of the most beautiful hymns, like ‘Amazing Grace,’ are just as powerful as prayer.” Annabella said that preparing for school Masses is the team’s most important service.
“There is meaning to everything we do at the Masses,” Annabella said. “We just don’t do this because we are a Catholic school, we do it because we are spiritually attuned with our faith.” Campus Ministers taught students who had never participated in Mass how to serve as ushers. When they wanted to create a detailed Mass program with artwork, they quickly discovered that they needed to find a student artist to contribute the art. Students serve as Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, lectors and cantors. The know how to arrange the altar and to assist with sound system controls. “When you go to church on Sundays, sometimes you don’t really think about it. continues >>
SPRING 2017 POSTSCRIPTS
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