On Friday September 11, Seattle Prep’s gym filled with the buzz of voices and the tip-tap of shoes as a wave of visitors, students and teachers walked in trying to find their seats. They were all gathered that day to attend an all-school Mass led by Seattle’s Archbishop Sartain. “He is a friendly person and is not a show off,” Father Fitterer said describing what the Archbishop is like. “He is very gentle in approaching people.”

As shushes arose to tell people to stop their conversations, the Mass started. Priests and other officials entered the gym in pairs of two as the choir started to sing the entrance hymnal. At the end of the procession, the Archbishop strolled in dressed in all red wearing a mitre and held a large crosier. They all took their seats located in the center of the gym and everyone sat down.

One of the officials went up to the podium to read the first reading from 1 Timothy 1:1-2,12-14. Following that, the Responsorial Pslam was sung by Juan Bernal. After the Reponsorial Psalm, everyone stood up and listened intently to the Archbishop read the Gospel (Luke 6:39-42). When he finished saying the Gospel, everyone sat down and he began the Homily. In the Homily, Archbishop Sartain told a story about Giorgio Frassati. Giorgio Frassati was devout to him religion and helped many people. When he died of poliomyelitis, his parents didn’t expect to see the people he helped at his funeral.

Once the Archbishop was done with the Homily, he got down from the podium and sat down. The students, visitors and student waited patiently for him to rise. Once he stood up, everyone got up out of their seats like waves getting higher and higher.

The Intentions were then read by Jessica Cary, Maddie Hunter, and Ellie Lamb. Altar servers Gabe Berger, Al Bernal, Max Buchanan, and Jack Clancy then helped prepare for Eucharistic Prayer. The officials gathered around the table with the Archbishop as he gave a blessing on the gifts. After the blessing, people got up to receive Communion. Once Communion was done, Seattle Prep Board Member Mark Wheeler presented the Archbishop with a white Seattle Prep coat. “I feel honored to be able to present that,” Mark said. “As chair of the board, I was privileged to be able to represent the board of trustees. It was encouraging to see such a strong student turn out,” Then Michelle Nguyen gave a speech about how people contribute to the community with their gifts. Concluding rites happened after that.

The priests, officials, and the Archbishop exited the gym as the choir sung their final song. “The Mass was exquisite,” Mr. Peterhans commented. “For me, it was well attended and it flowed nicely. I thought the whole liturgy was wonderfully choreographed. The music was excellent. Students were, I thought, wonderfully attentive. I thought the Archbishop’s presence was accesible and potent.”

The roar of voices and shoes engulfed the room once again after the choir completed the song.