August 12, 2020

Archbishop Rozanski celebrates special Mass for High School Seniors

REGIONAL
Story and photos by David Martin

SPRINGFIELD — Graduating seniors from area high schools who were unable to experience a formal graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 virus pandemic gathered to worship and pray together during the Mass for High School Seniors at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield on Aug. 11 at 2 p.m.

The Mass will be televised on Aug 16 on the weekly “Chalice of Salvation” Mass on WWLP-22NEWS.

Adaras Dominicci a graduate of Holyoke High School, said her parish, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Holyoke, personally reached out to her and invited her and others to attend the Mass to demonstrate that the youth are valued members and the future of the church. For this reason Dominicci was motivated to attend the Mass.

“It means a lot because it shows that the community is coming together to appreciate that we were able to graduate in such a difficult time and the fact that we are all coming together to celebrate that is really important to all of us,” said Dominicci.

John Anziano, director of campus ministry at Pope Francis Preparatory School in Springfield, said the Mass for High School Seniors originated when the realization came at Pope Francis that, because of the virus, the senior class would not be able to gather to celebrate the annual Baccalaureate Mass. He said he reached out to Catholic Communications, the Faith Formation Office, and Archbishop-designate Mitchell T. Rozanski and the event took off from there.

Anziano said he believes the young people who take the time to view the Mass on Sunday will be inspired and encouraged that the church does care about the youth and welcomes them to be active members, just as some young people are participating in the Mass today giving readings and serving as the liturgical choir.

Anziano, who is a parishioner at St. Michael’s Cathedral, believes as young people grow up in today’s world, “It is really essential that they learn and hold on to their faith whether through Catholic schools, faith formation programs or local parishes.

“I think through these times where people are struggling and dying and sick and struggling financially, it is extremely important that we do not lose faith,” said Anziano. “There are going to be times like this as throughout the history of the church and the world, and one of the things we all know is that we do survive and I do believe occasionally in our lives we need to be Job.”  

The principal celebrant for the Mass was Archbishop Rozanski and it was his final time celebrating the “Chalice of Salvation” Mass.

Dominicci, who will be majoring in legal studies this fall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said she was looking forward to listening to the music during the Mass and to hearing the words of wisdom from the archbishop, whom she met many times, including at her recent confirmation. She said it means a lot to those attending that the archbishop can share a final Mass with them.

In his homily Archbishop Rozanski said the Mass was dedicated to all of the 2020 graduates who could not celebrate their high school and college graduations in a traditional manner because of the COVID-19 virus. He said they had gathered some of them in the cathedral for the Mass to recognize their accomplishments and important milestones in their lives.

Archbishop Rozanski added that the virus, for the students and recent graduates, has turned this time of their lives into a real trial because they have had to learn at home by looking at a computer screen. But he said despite these setbacks students are still eager to learn and achieve.

“We know the accomplishments of our young people cannot be taken away. They studied, passed their exams and prepared themselves for the next phase of life,” he said. “We know their efforts over the years in school cannot be taken away. Those experiences are an integral part of the learning that they have done which will always sustain them in the years ahead.”

Archbishop Rozanski later told those attending that it was a bittersweet moment since it was the final time he would be celebrating the “Chalice of Salvation” Mass with them. He said he was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve the people of the Springfield Diocese over the last six years.  He also asked everyone to please keep him in their prayers as he prepares to move to the Archdiocese of St. Louis.

“My deepest thanks to you, may God bless you always,” said Archbishop-designate Rozanski.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS and in the Berkshires Sunday mornings at 5:30 on Albany’s Fox 23, WXXA.