Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez on Monday visited St. Hubert High School, celebrating Mass in honor of the school’s patron saint’s feast day.
The Rev. Carl Pieber, chairman of the St. Hubert board, con-celebrated the Mass.
Perez, at 59 a relatively young archbishop, started the All Souls Day Mass by asking everyone to close their eyes and remember their loved ones in heaven.
In his homily, he spoke of the importance of the school chapel and gave a shout out to the girls watching from home as part of the school’s hybrid learning schedule.
The girls in the auditorium had plenty of answers when he asked what is “awesome” about their school. The answers included the teachers and administration; the sisterhood; clubs and activities; faith, service and guidance opportunities; and even the cafeteria fries.
The archbishop also learned how the girls came to be known as “Bambies,” as the movie Bambi came out in 1942, a year after the school’s founding.
Perez blessed five students in the school’s Rite of Christian Initiation for Teens (RCIT) program and presented them with white roses with ribbons colored brown and gold (the school colors). The girls are awaiting their confirmation.
Senior Chase Clifford presented Perez with two gift bags that included a St. Hubert jacket and a handmade, personalized face mask she designed.
As the Mass closed, Perez granted the students a future day off and told them, “Never underestimate the power of the spirit of God working in you, through you and despite you.”
Perez donned his St. Hubert jacket as Clifford and fellow senior Makayla Egolf, president of the Bambie Ambassadors, led him on a tour of the school. He saw the school’s robotics, music and art rooms; the clothing and textile lab; and the distance learning center. ••
