Students and faculty walk into the gym, sitting in their herds, ready to celebrate the monthly all school Mass. This month, it had a few new additions, including a mural of Our Lady of Guadalupe hanging below the projector, the choir replaced with two Spanish musicians and all the readings in Spanish to celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Mass was planned and celebrated by Spanish-speaking members of the staff, including chaplain Father Anthony Mersmann, Campus Ministry director Bill Creach and Spanish teacher Martha Drone.
“Father wanted to bring some traditions to the Spanish community that we have here at Bishop Miege,” Drone said. “We have a strong community of Spanish speakers.”
Students were also asked to be involved with the celebration’s reading and prayers. Among these students was junior Josh Ortiz, who said that he was nervous at first but was excited to be involved.
“Having been asked, I felt really good about it because I am from Mexico,” Ortiz said. “I was glad to be able to help my community.”
According to Drone, while this has been the first Hispanic heritage Mass in a few years, there used to be one each month before school planned by the late Spanish teacher Sister Millie.
“[Sister Millie] was more active with it because she loved the Hispanic community and she had the time to put all that together,” Drone said. “They did it before many times but I am glad we are coming back to it.”
As both a Spanish and theology teacher, Ryan Geris said that he was able to see the value for the school to participate in the Mass.
“This is an awesome opportunity to get some exposure to the Mass in Spanish,” Geris said. “You will get to see how the Mass is the same and everyone is able to celebrate it in their own native language.”
Since Catholic Mass is celebrated the same way all over the world, everyone is still able to participate, even if they do not know any Spanish.
“People will know what is happening even if they do not take Spanish or they do not know what is being said,” Geris said. “They will still be able to stand up and to kneel at certain points. I think it would be cool for people to see Father Mersmann speaking Spanish.”
Senior Quintan Rhoades said that this new kind of Mass was very beneficial for his faith.
“I really loved it, especially the guitar player who was really good,” Rhoades said. “I like to explore new cultures both musically and spiritually.”
