A new school year begins with faith at the center
By Allison Mosier09/02/2025
As summer draws to a close, schools across the Diocese of Erie have welcomed back their students with joy, energy and, most importantly, prayer. The return to classrooms and athletic fields has been marked by blessings, Masses and moments of faith-filled community, reminding us that education is about far more than academics. It is about nurturing the whole person: mind, body and spirit.
At Mercyhurst Prep, the fall season was launched with a spirited pep rally celebrating the dedication of student-athletes. At center court, Father Ian McElrath (“Father Mac”) invited all athletes forward and prayed over them. His blessing reminded the Lakers that competition is secondary to character, teamwork and compassion, the Mercy values that guide their community. He urged students to remember that their talents are gifts from God, meant to be shared in service of others and cultivated with humility.
In St. Marys, the Elk County Catholic community gathered at their Family Picnic & Bonfire. The evening was illuminated not only by flames but also by faith, as their new campus minister, Father Chris Beran, offered a meaningful blessing for the athletes. He prayed for their health, safety and perseverance, reminding them that, before anything else, they are children of God. His words set the tone for the year and underscored how faith anchors the Crusader family in every activity.
At Cathedral Prep, faith and athletics came together on the practice field. Father Ben Daghir offered blessings to both the varsity and junior varsity football teams, asking God to guide their play and protect them throughout the season. One powerful moment was captured in a photograph of Fr. Ben blessing the JV football team, an image that reflects how Prep keeps faith at the heart of student life.
In DuBois, the community at DuBois Central Catholic School began their year with a school-wide Mass. Father John Malthaner delivered a homily about labels, reminding both children and adults that we must be careful about the words we assign to others and ourselves. He called everyone to embrace their identity as people of love, encouraging students and teachers alike to live out their calling to serve and support one another. His words provided both inspiration and challenge as the community entered a new school year.
At Gannon University, students, faculty and athletes also received a special blessing. Father Michael Kesicki prayed over the Gannon football team, asking God’s grace to strengthen them in body and in spirit. His blessing, captured in a photograph, highlighted the importance of bringing faith into every dimension of campus life, from academics to athletics. For the Gannon Knights, this prayer was a reminder that their pursuit of excellence is not only about achievement, but about forming leaders who live with integrity and faith.
These moments illustrate the heart of Catholic education across our diocese: a community of schools where faith is integrated into daily life, and where priests, faculty, staff and parents work together to guide students in wisdom and virtue.
As we embark on the 2025–2026 school year, we ask for your prayers, not only for our Catholic school students, but for all students in our region. May God bless them with curiosity and courage, may their teachers be strengthened with wisdom and patience and may their families be supported with hope and love. Let us keep every administrator, faculty member, coach, staff member and parent in prayer as they share the joys and challenges of the school year. With faith as our foundation, we look ahead with gratitude and anticipation for the growth, learning and grace this year will bring.
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