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Marian Catholic Eucharistic Ministers Commissioned for 2011-2012

Dominican Preachers at Marian Catholic
Marian Catholic Dominican Preachers are l-r Kelsey Tierney (Tinley Park), Deana Williams (Park Forest), Trevor Thompkins (Olympia Fields) and Gianna Patrizi (Orland Park). (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Dominican Preachers give first address to student body, faculty and guests

Chicago Heights, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Marian Catholic High School celebrated an all-school Mass on Friday, September 9, where 55 senior class members were commissioned to serve as Ministers of the Eucharist for the 2011-2012 school year. The first of several all-school Masses held throughout the year, the Mass of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of the school year by welcoming the freshman class into the Marian community, and formally commissioning Eucharistic Ministers.

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Having begun the application process last year as juniors, Eucharistic Minister candidates were required to write an essay and provide a recommendation letter from the priest of their home parish. Parents and family members were invited to attend the Mass to witness the commissioning ceremony.

The Dominican Preachers (student spiritual leaders) this year are Gianna Patrizi, Trevor Thompkins , Kelsey Tierney, and Deana Williams, all seniors. While receiving course credit in Theology, the Dominican Preachers, under the direction of their mentor and advisor, Sr. Melissa Blankestyn, O.P., preach lessons steeped in Dominican charism.

Each Dominican Preacher addressed  the students, faculty, staff and invited guests assembled.

Kelsey Tierney reflected on a passage from John where Jesus appears to the disciples, who are hiding in fear after the crucifixion, to shower them with the Holy Spirit.

“Peace be with you.  I wish it was as simple as someone telling us that to gain the feeling of peace. As teenagers finding our place in the world of adults, it is nearly impossible to find peace. Anxiety seems to be a constant factor in our mood every day,” she said.

“Wouldn’t everything seem more bearable if we could find peace? The readings today tell us that we can find relief from our anxieties. We learn who gives us peace and how we can receive it.”

Deana Williams closed with these thoughts.

“Even when we are hurt or afraid, we must keep our hearts open to the transforming power of God,” she said.

“A shut down heart makes it impossible to open up and allow in happiness, great opportunities, and good people. However, when you open your heart, you have room for growth, forgiveness, and change. Most of all, you can let love in, again.”

An alphabetical listing of Marian’s Eucharistic Ministers includes:  Matthew Anderson (Tinley Park), Kyle Barrett (Bourbonnais), Olivia Beck (Hammond), Jacob Bohlen (Homewood), Lauren Boyle (Chicago), Johnathon Brodeur (Steger), Abby Brunner (Flossmoor), Ashley Cady (Park Forest), James Cavanaugh (Crete), Mary Beth Ceragioli (Flossmoor), Jaclyn Clarke (Chicago), Brittany Cline (Richton Park), Will Craft (Crete), Treasur Cunningham (South Holland), Dillon Domke (Monee), Bradley Engstrand (Olympia Fields), Summer Fields (Richton Park), Alexis Funk (Dyer), Allison Goedke (Park Forest), Matthew Grybas (Frankfort), Daniel Guerrero (Chicago Heights), David Guerrero (Chicago Heights), Katie Hacker (Lansing), Blaise Harwell (Country Club Hills), Jenna Kot (Calumet City), Linda Kuersten (Homewood), Matt Lamb (Chicago Heights), Kelly Lane (South Holland), and Samantha Lucente (Steger).

Ian Mangan (Dyer), Melissa McCanna (Lansing), Iteaanna McKenzie (Country Club Hills), Anne Marie Meyer (Dyer), Grace Narcisi (Chicago Heights), Josie Novak (St. John), Michelle O’Brien (St. John), Patrick O’Shea (Munster), Nikki Panozzo (Tinley Park), Gianna Patrizi (Orland Park), Mike Peabody (Flossmoor), Krista Perez (Chicago), Ashley Pradhan (Munster), Sara Pustai (Schererville), Ashley Rodriguez (Steger), Robert Ruiz (South Holland), Jenna Santacaterina (South Holland), Katie Schmidtke (Homewood), Bernadette Senick (Tinley Park), Jill Sobie (Thornton), Courtneigh Summerrise (South Holland), Trevor Thompkins (Olympia Fields), Kelsey Tierney (Tinley Park), Adriana Valedon (Flossmoor), Deana Williams (Park Forest), and Josue Zambrano (St. John).

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