The Catholic Foundation brought Catholic high school seniors together for the 10th Annual Senior Class Mass, hosted by Father Yermo on Thursday, January 27. Most Reverend Mark J. Seitz, D.D., Bishop of El Paso, was the main celebrant.
The Cathedral, Father Yermo, and Loretto Academy Class of 2022 gathered in the Rudolph Miles Gymnasium which had been transformed momentarily into a beautiful and welcoming worship space. Father Yermo students served as lectors and altar servers. The choir was made up entirely of Father Yermo Sisters who sang and played musical instruments.
Guest speakers Mike Miles and Major Gifts Officer Sofia Larkin offered words of inspiration.
Mike and his wife Clara established the Michael M. & Clara Miles Scholarship Fund for Cathedral, Father Yermo, and Loretto Academy in 2009 with a gift of $2.6 million. The Father Yermo gym is named after the late Rudy Miles, Mike’s father.
After the final blessing, seniors took their annual group photo with Bishop Mark and were each provided a delicious breakfast prepared by Father Yermo volunteers in a to-go paper sack.
The presence of Catholic Schools Superintendent Dr. Lanny Hollis, school administrators, and religious sisters was a blessing.
The Father Yermo Sisters did an excellent job of planning a celebration that ensured attendees were safely distanced and left everyone feeling energized and proud to be Catholic.
Every year Catholic high school seniors come together to celebrate Mass and kick off the annual Senior Class Challenge, a tradition started in 2011. The Catholic Foundation aims to work with our high school seniors to build community and inspire philanthropy.
The Catholic Foundation is challenging each senior class from Cathedral High School, Father Yermo High School, and Loretto Academy to raise at least $1,000 to support endowed scholarship funds for their schools. The Catholic Foundation will match up to $1,000 of what each class raises. The permanent endowed Catholic school funds provide needed scholarships and financial aid annually to students attending Catholic schools.