The Saint Patrick High School community gathered for their first liturgy of the 2006-07 school year when they celebrated the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, September 7. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is part of a long educational tradition dating back to the Middle Ages. Schools would celebrate the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the start of a new school year. This festive event gathers the entire community together to rededicate themselves to Saint Patrick’s mission, to renew friendships, and to welcome new members.

Father John Blazek of St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Lincoln Park was the guest celebrant for the mass. Fr. Blazek delivered an impassioned homily on “Respect,” the theme for the school year at Saint Patrick. Fr. Blazek also commissioned the 74 members of the Liturgy Team for the 2006-2007 school year.

The mass of the Holy Spirit is the first of 12 events on the liturgical schedule at Saint Patrick this year. Below is a complete listing of the school’s liturgical schedule: Freshman Parent/ Grandparent Mass - Sunday, September 10, All Saints Day Mass - Wednesday, November 1, Thanksgiving Liturgy - Wednesday, November 22, Advent Reconciliation - December 5-6, Feast of the Immaculate Conception - Friday, December 8, Catholic Schools Week Liturgy - Monday, January 29, Ash Wednesday Liturgy - Wednesday, February 21, Lenten Reconciliation - March 20-21, Founder's Day Liturgy - Tuesday, May 15, Junior Ring Mass - Thursday, May 17, Baccalaureate Liturgy - Tuesday, May 29.

Saint Patrick High School is Chicago’s oldest Catholic high school for boys. Founded in 1861 by the Christian Brothers, Saint Patrick has remained at the forefront of education, administering to the needs of young men in the Chicagoland area for nearly 150 years.