Students at Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park celebrated the start of the school year with a Mass at the Congregation of St. Joseph Chapel.
They prayed, sang and gave each other warm hugs instead of handshakes as they greeted each during a portion of the mass when attendees offer each other the sign of peace.
Gigi Meyer, a junior from Western Springs, said she enjoys the tradition of taking time to reflect and pray that the 2016-2017 school year will be a success. It also is a time to connect with other students.
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“It’s always unifying because we’ve been apart all summer,” Meyer said.
The Mass included music played by students on bongo drums, guitar and a flute.
“The music is less stiff than the traditional mass,” said Grace Kubelka, a senior from Chicago.
The college preparatory high school was established by a group of Sisters of St. Joseph who came to the La Grange area in 1899. It became co-ed in 1977. There are about 750 students.
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