The 2009 – 2010 school year opened on September 10th with the traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit. Principal Celebrant was Headmaster Msgr. Michael Kelly, assisted by Deacon Richard O’Hara. They were joined at the altar by concelebrants Fr. Bruce Janiga, Fr. Steve Kilcarr & Fr. Bill Melillo.

Prayers were offered for two SHP graduates who tragically died in a car accident this summer: Michael J. McCormick Jr. and Vincent Simone, Class of 2008.

Mass was also dedicated to the victims of the September 11th attacks. Joining the students and faculty in the celebration of the Mass were members of our SHP community who suffered personal losses on that tragic day. Msgr. Kelly gave a warm welcome to: Michele Bocchi, mother of Matthew ’10 & Nicholas ’12, who lost their father John Paul; Jacqueline Gilbert, mother of Benjamin ’12, who lost his father Timothy & uncle Andrew; MaryEllen Salamone, mother of Alex ’13, who lost his father John; Patricia Knox, mother of Thomas Knox ‘87; Don and Marcee Robertson, parents of Donald ‘84; Matthew Selitto, father of Matthew ’96.

The SHP community also prayed for: Louis Fersini, father of Christopher ’11; and SHP graduates: Brett T. Baily ‘91, Scott W. Cahill ‘89, brother of senior Patrick Cahill; Thomas F. Hughes ‘73, Robert Mayo ‘72, Gregory Milanowycz ‘94 and John M. Pocher ‘82.

In his homily, Msgr. Kelly focused on the Gospel passage from Luke: According to custom, Jesus was in the synagogue on the sabbath day and stood to read words from the prophet Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me…to bring glad tidings to the poor…liberty to captives…sight to the blind…to let the oppressed go free and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord… Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing.” Msgr. Kelly commented on the courage Jesus had to stand and make such a pronouncement. He called attention to the corporal and spiritual acts of mercy, and pointed out to the students that they are doing these Christ-like acts in small ways – already on a daily basis. Msgr. Kelly encouraged the students to continue to perform good works and to perhaps become more self aware as they do so. To consciously recognize what they are doing for one another and to realize that they are doing it for Christ.

At the conclusion of the homily, 18 seniors were commissioned to be Special Ministers of Holy Communion. Having been prepared by Fr. Bill Melillo, Deacon O’Hara and Sharon Rondinella, the students received the official mandate to serve from Archbishop John J. Myers. The new Ministers were presented with a framed certificate from the Newark Archdiocese and a lapel pin. Proudly looking on were family members of the Ministers and the SHP community gave their approval with a round of applause. The new Ministers are: Peter Alexander, Christopher Caldwell, Philip Calinda , Jesse Chapnick, Wilder Chavez, Nicholas Cuccolo, Kieron Farrelly, John Gallagher, Ryan Gardner, Mattthew Gorski, Raymond Jablonski, Sean Lindsey, Nicholas Maffey, John Ramirez, Brian Sosa, Daniel Sproull, Timothy Ward, Paul Wojtal,

Music Ministers were Michael Alworth ’12, Ryan Dill ’11 and Christopher Janish ’12; they were led by moderator Mr. Jonathan Lace. Readers: Ricky Baum ’11, Mark Bentivegna ’12, Brian Fritzsche ’12, Michael Kane ’11 and Jim McGlone ’11. Bearing the Offertory Gifts were Michele Bocchi & Matthew ’10, and MaryEllen Salamone & Alex ’13

Acolytes: Chris Bruno ’12, David Del Corso ’11, Dominic D’Antonio ’12, Charles Groeschke ’11, Spencer Horn ’12, Joe Sturtz ’11, Mark Saab ’12, Devin Sweeney ’11.

Students interested in participating in this ministry are encouraged to speak to Mr. Lace or Mrs. Rondinella.