Liturgy: A Lesson About Failure
Written by Byron L. ‘27
On a bright and calm Thursday morning two weeks ago, students gathered in the St. Joseph Basilica for the first liturgy of the school year. Students were encouraged to dress formally for this special occasion with the 12th, 11th, 10th, and 9th grade students showing up. Within minutes everyone was seated and Father Steve Kim began.
Father Steve Kim, accompanied by Father Mario Rizzo, started with a lesson on failure. He explained that failure, though it hurts, can be used as motivation and as a way to improve yourself. He explained that failure makes you want it more; you can either give up or come back stronger.
The mass choir was also in attendance, singing in harmony, filling the air with magic. “When comparing the high school’s choir to the St. Joseph Elementary choir, it was definitely evident that it was of better quality. I don’t know, it just seemed to be more jazzy and flowed a ton better,” said Thomas Simpson, a ninth grader in attendance.
Cameron Cruz, a senior at SJND, gave a heartfelt and thoughtful talk, tying in our teaching about failure in his speech about being there for your friends. His speech touched the hearts of every student listening.
“Listening to Cameron’s speech inspired something within me. Looking back on some things, like Cameron explaining how he wasn’t the best friend he should have been. Him knowing that he should’ve done something, but couldn’t. And what Cameron said resonated with me,” said Thomas Simpson. After his astonishing speech, everybody erupted like a volcano in support.
In conclusion, the first liturgy of the school year, ironically, was a success. Both the underclassmen and upperclassmen learned valuable lessons and teachings about failures. Continuing this momentum, let’s pray for more successful liturgies to come and the lessons that come with them to inspire us all.
