Spiritual Life
Pastoral Ministry to Young People with Same-Sex Attraction
The issue of helping students with same-sex attraction has become prominent in various parts of Canada, especially with regards to the role schools play, either by governmental direction or by their own principles. Parents may be interested in this document published last year by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops: Pastoral Ministry to Young People with Same-Sex AttractionBishops' Letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops recently published an open letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion. It is available here: http://www.cccb.ca/site/images/stories/pdf/Freedom_of_Conscience_and_Religion.pdfThe Chaplaincy
Loyola High School, as a Jesuit high school, places a strong emphasis on the spiritual life of the school. Fr. Joe Mróz, S.J. is our Chapain, Jesuit priests at Loyola also include our president Fr Murray SJ, Fr. Rob Brennan, S.J., and Fr. Gerry Mathieu '54, S.J., a long-time member of the Loyola family. This year we have 2 Jesuit Scholastics, Mr Hugh O'Hara SJ (who will move on this summer to continue his studies to priesthood) and Mr Jason Vaz SJ.
In addition to the grade level retreats and Kairos, the Chaplaincy also provides Eucharistic celebrations throughout the year. First, there is daily mass from Monday to Friday in Our Lady’s Chapel (the student chapel located on the third floor) at 7:45am (Wednesday in TAG 1, and Fridays in Advent and Lent in TAG 1). All students, faculty and parents are welcome and encouraged to take part in this time of prayer and reflection. In keeping with a long Jesuit tradition, the school year begins with a Mass of the Holy Spirit. Here we call on the Spirit to guide all of us and all of our works to God during the coming academic year. In late September (the Canadian date) we celebrate a mass dedicated to the North American martyrs: St. Jean de Brebeuf and Companions of Ste. Marie Among the Hurons. Other celebrations include: the Advent and Lent penance services, Ash Wednesday, Holy Thursday, a family Communion "Communion Breakfast" on the first Sunday of May, a closing Mass for all students and staff and the Graduation mass for the Graduandi and their families and guests immediately prior to the graduation ceremonies. Other impromptu masses are also celebrated for sports teams upon request of the coaches. A general invitation is extended to all members of the Loyola family to request that prayers and Masses be offered for special intentions.
Pastoral Animation
There are many components to the spiritual life of Loyola, all of which are considered part of chaplaincy. Mr Sean Donovan '87 oversees the Christian Service Program (CSP) which involves students from Secondary 2-5 who are active in serving the needs of the wider community in which Loyola is situated. Through CSP Loyola students work with community organizations serving the poor and the elderly as well as serving in after-school tutoring and recreational programs. Mr Sean Ryan coordinates the grade level retreats. These include the opening retreat for Sec 1 students, the day retreats for Sec 2-3 students, and the over-night retreat for Sec. 4 students. Mr Vince Fulvio coordinates the Kairos retreat, an optional retreat for Sec. 5 students.