Mass of the Holy Spirit Highlights
The Loyola Blakefield community gathered inside Knott Hall on a rainy September 13th morning to celebrate the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit to bless the start of another school year and to honor Dan McNeal ’90, who died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001.
Rev. Joseph Michini, S.J., Rev. Bruce Steggert, S.J., Rev. Bruce Maivelett, S.J., and Deacon Jack Ames opened the ceremony with a beautiful Mass, followed by a homily from President Anthony Day. Also, one of Dan McNeal's classmates, Matt Jackson '90, gave our students, teachers, and everyone else present a deeper look inside just who Dan was as a person, friend, and man for others. Watch the entire Mass below.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Principal John Marinacci announced senior Mark Sucoloski as the recipient of the 16th Annual Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award. In his remarks, Marinacci described Mark as a student who brings genuine delight and enthusiasm to all of his endeavors. Read more of Marinacci’s remarks below:
“In his role as peer educator, Mark is a driver in developing new lessons and bringing fresh air to traditional topics. Academically, he has challenged himself with a rigorous curriculum of honors and AP classes, while still allowing his artistic abilities to shine through, as was evidenced in his creative English assignment when he wrote a song from Daisy Buchanan’s point of view while studying The Great Gatsby. Taking part in our educational and service immersion trip to Belize this past summer, Mark was described by his peers as genuine, cheerful, altruistic, and optimistic – finding a silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances. This year, he will be leading Kairos and the Freshman Ignite Retreat. He is also a member of the varsity golf team, Blakefield Players, and several of Loyola’s bands and choirs.
The only word used to describe Mark more often than ‘talented’ is ‘humble.’ This is not an easy task as he has literally been the voice behind the microphone and the person in the spotlight time and again. Whether serving as cantor at our masses, reading morning announcements, soloing as a lead in the school musical, or singing in the faculty band, Mark has every reason to act like he is ‘the man,’ but instead acts as a model of a man for others. His presence and influence reaches across the breadth and depth of our community and mission. He exemplifies our Grad at Grad goals, he is concerned for and eager to help others, and like Dan, he will leave his lasting impression on Loyola.”
The Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award is given in loving memory of Dan McNeal, member of the Loyola Blakefield Class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal. Dan died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001. A faculty member described Dan as the example of the man Loyola seeks to foster: involved, energetic, brimming over with enthusiasm for life and anything Loyola, and a friend to all he met. Dan led his life, giving of himself and thinking of others first. This award is given to that member of the junior or senior class who embodies the characteristics that we hold dear in Jesuit education - one who lives his faith in word and deed, displays academic excellence, is actively engaged in his community, and most of all, exemplifies being a man for others.
Part 1:
Rev. Joseph Michini, S.J., Rev. Bruce Steggert, S.J., Rev. Bruce Maivelett, S.J., and Deacon Jack Ames opened the ceremony with a beautiful Mass, followed by a homily from President Anthony Day. Also, one of Dan McNeal's classmates, Matt Jackson '90, gave our students, teachers, and everyone else present a deeper look inside just who Dan was as a person, friend, and man for others. Watch the entire Mass below.
Towards the end of the ceremony, Principal John Marinacci announced senior Mark Sucoloski as the recipient of the 16th Annual Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award. In his remarks, Marinacci described Mark as a student who brings genuine delight and enthusiasm to all of his endeavors. Read more of Marinacci’s remarks below:
“In his role as peer educator, Mark is a driver in developing new lessons and bringing fresh air to traditional topics. Academically, he has challenged himself with a rigorous curriculum of honors and AP classes, while still allowing his artistic abilities to shine through, as was evidenced in his creative English assignment when he wrote a song from Daisy Buchanan’s point of view while studying The Great Gatsby. Taking part in our educational and service immersion trip to Belize this past summer, Mark was described by his peers as genuine, cheerful, altruistic, and optimistic – finding a silver lining in the most difficult of circumstances. This year, he will be leading Kairos and the Freshman Ignite Retreat. He is also a member of the varsity golf team, Blakefield Players, and several of Loyola’s bands and choirs.
The only word used to describe Mark more often than ‘talented’ is ‘humble.’ This is not an easy task as he has literally been the voice behind the microphone and the person in the spotlight time and again. Whether serving as cantor at our masses, reading morning announcements, soloing as a lead in the school musical, or singing in the faculty band, Mark has every reason to act like he is ‘the man,’ but instead acts as a model of a man for others. His presence and influence reaches across the breadth and depth of our community and mission. He exemplifies our Grad at Grad goals, he is concerned for and eager to help others, and like Dan, he will leave his lasting impression on Loyola.”
The Daniel W. McNeal Scholarship Award is given in loving memory of Dan McNeal, member of the Loyola Blakefield Class of 1990, and recipient of the Loyola Alumni Medal. Dan died tragically in the World Trade Center Towers on the morning of September 11, 2001. A faculty member described Dan as the example of the man Loyola seeks to foster: involved, energetic, brimming over with enthusiasm for life and anything Loyola, and a friend to all he met. Dan led his life, giving of himself and thinking of others first. This award is given to that member of the junior or senior class who embodies the characteristics that we hold dear in Jesuit education - one who lives his faith in word and deed, displays academic excellence, is actively engaged in his community, and most of all, exemplifies being a man for others.
Part 1:
Part 2:
