St. Charles Catholic celebrates being ‘Stronger Together’ at School Mass

Published 8:30 am Tuesday, October 5, 2021

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LAPLACE — Students at St. Charles Catholic high school have faced the myriad challenges brought upon by the global pandemic and by the impact of Hurricane Ida, interrupting the regular schedules and events many expected of their high school years. SCC has always responded to these challenges by prioritizing the students and offering every possible opportunity for growth and community during the past year and a half.
After returning to school on September 20, following weeks of Ida recovery, the school gathered to celebrate Mass together on September 28, thanking God for the blessings within the community and praying for those still working toward restoration.
Former SCC Chaplain, Fr. Walter Austin, celebrated the Mass and conferred a special delegation to seven members of the student body who had completed the basic formation session of the Archdiocese of New Orleans and were delegated and commissioned to serve as an Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at St. Charles Catholic High School. Since Catholics profess that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Catholic faith, these students will be serving a vital and important ministry as they deliver the Body and Blood of Christ prayerfully and reverently to our sisters and brothers in faith.  This delegation extends through the 2021-2022 school term.
The seven students delegated this year were Jake Jeandron, Jeanne St. Martin, Jenna Hickman, Allison Powell, Tiffany Williams, Margaret Powell and Karen Trichell.
Many Comets participated in the celebration of the Mass. Freshman Carter Ory and Freshman Caylee Drexel volunteered as altar servers. Senior Grace Harris and Freshman Layla Jackson served as lectors.  Allison and Margaret Powell served Holy Communion alongside Deacon Tom Kratochvil, SCC’s Chemistry teacher. And contributing their musical talents under the direction of Kate Abreo and Ryan Foulon, the SCC Music Ministry performed, featuring Torie Joseph, Tank Nelson, Lily Bordelon, Morgana Lee, Alexia Deselles, Hannah Emery and Margaret Powell.
SCC’s Director of Admissions and Alumni, Carly Flynn, said of the Mass, “Our community came together after the storm to help one another, which was such a gift.  But seeing all the students together again, besides those few who are currently displaced, was really heartwarming.  We’d all been thinking of them while we were apart, and it felt so good to see them joined together in prayer again.”
Following Mass, the administrative team treated the students to Kona Snoballs in the Chapel Courtyard. Every student was able to enjoy the sunny day together with friends and sweets, celebrating being together again.
St. Charles Catholic continues to serve its students as a Christ-centered environment where everyone in the community can grow in spirituality.  This year, even before the storm, the theme for the school year was “Stronger Together.”  How prudent and true those words have proven. SCC would like to thank everyone who has made this past month so full of blessings and everyone who helped our first Mass together to be so special.