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catholic high school freshmen gather for annual liturgy

Story and photo by LIZ QUIRIN
Messenger editor

Freshmen from the three diocesan Catholic high schools — Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo and Mater Dei Catholic High School in Breese — gathered for a special liturgy with their families Sept. 13 at St. Peter Cathedral in Belleville.

Bishop Edward K. Braxton spoke to the freshmen in his homily about their upcoming four years at Catholic high schools.

“Jesus Christ is the reason for Catholic schools,” he said in his homily.

He asked the students what they looked forward to as their high school years begin.
One said she hoped to make new friends, another looked forward to sports, and yet another looked forward to the culinary delights awaiting him in the school cafeteria.

The bishop said he hoped they would “gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus is.”
Mater Dei has 134 freshmen, Althoff 116 and Gibault 51.

“You must be the salt of the earth,” the bishop said, referring to the Gospel of Matthew that was read at the liturgy. “You must live your lives loving your faith, learning your faith, living your faith.”