Archbishop Nelson Perez last week celebrated Mass at Archbishop Ryan High School, then toured the school.
The Rev. James Callahan, pastor of Christ the King Parish and a member of Ryan’s Board of Limited Jurisdiction, concelebrated.
In his homily during the Sept. 21 Mass, Perez noted it was the Feast of St. Matthew. He shared a favorite comment, “Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit working in you, through you and despite you.”
Perez, who was appointed in February 2020, asked teachers, administrators and staff to stand for applause. The Ryan faculty includes Jerry Donahue, in his 56th year teaching in the archdiocese.
During the Mass, Perez sat in the chair of Archbishop Patrick John Ryan, who led the diocese from 1884 to 1911.
Among those in attendance was Nancy Kurtz, a Ryan graduate and former assistant principal who is now interim superintendent for secondary schools.
Amy Zarzatian, the student body president, presented Perez with Ryan swag, Starbucks Espresso coffee and a gift card to Macaroni’s. Zarzatian, Brian Issel, Elizabeth Haney and Christopher Yengbeh took Perez on a tour. They visited Sister Alice’s math class, the chapel, Diane Panepresso’s Latin class and the Bonaventure Center for academic support, then had breakfast in the library.
Perez almost left the school without continuing a tradition of giving schools he visits a day off, but made the announcement over the public address system before walking out the door.
Ryan has 856 students from 62 parishes, including 264 freshmen, the largest ninth-grade class of the 15 archdiocesan high schools. ••
