On Thursday, September 4, Cristo Rey Jesuit celebrated its first Mass of the Holy Spirit. The Mass of the Holy Spirit is a tradition in Catholic schools (especially Jesuit schools), and is an opportunity to thank God for where we have come, and to pray for the new school year.

The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Gavleston-Houston, and concelebrated by Fr. TJ Martinez, SJ, President of Cristo Rey Jesuit, and Fr. Mark Lewis, SJ, the Provincial of the New Orleans Jesuit Province, as well as the Jesuit community of Houston, the Priests of the Society of Jesus, and the Priests of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. Reverend Mr. Daniel Addis, a faculty member of Cristo Rey Jesuit, was also part of the mass, serving as the Deacon. Groups from all over the city of Houston participated in this historic event: The Knights of Columbus, the Catholic African-American Mass Choir, the Strake Jesuit & St. Agnes Academy Chamber Orchestra and Triple Trio, as well as the Cristo Rey Jesuit Student Choir. Thanks to Susan Martin, Bob Pearl, and many volunteers, the Gym (where the mass was held) was decorated beautifully, with two large "Cristo Rey Jesuit" banners, lighting and sound by Data Projections, and a platform (done as an Eagle Scout project) on which the Mass was said.

With more than 600 in attendance, from our students and their families, to supporters and friends of Cristo Rey Jesuit, Archbishop Fiorenza delivered an impassioned and moving homily, expressing his excitement for the school, for our students, and the city of Houston. After communion, Fr. TJ Martinez, SJ, spoke about the historic moment, and all of the pieces that came together to start this school. Fr. Mark Lewis, SJ, followed, focusing on the tradition of Jesuit education and the connection of students from all Jesuit schools. The students all received Cristo Rey Jesuit pins, blessed by the Archbishop, and distributed by our Board of Directors.

Following the mass, we hosted a reception for our guests, with food and drinks, as well as a Mariachi band. The evening was a wonderful way to kick-off the school year, and bring friends and family together to see our school.