Brothers Unite

Ring Mass: Salesian Reflection
Jude Stuchlik
Salesianum School 2025 

Fr. Chris Beretta, OSFS, Principal of Salesianum School, celebrating Mass at the Ring Ceremony 

Good morning seniors, families, and friends. My name is Jude Stuchlik and I am a member of the class of 2025. I am very grateful to be up here today to give the Salesian reflection. For those guests who may not be aware of what a Salesian reflection may be, it is a chance for a senior to talk at the end of mass to give their insight or message to take away from the mass.

In today’s gospel, we heard a story about Jesus and some of his disciples. While walking to Capernaum, the disciples argue about which one of them is the best. Jesus asks them what they were arguing about, yet no one answers Him. Jesus replies saying, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Now, this may sound a little extreme, but I think this message relates greatly to us as members of the Salesian brotherhood. 

One of the seven pillars of being a Salesian gentleman is humility. When we think about being “first,” we often think of success or recognition. However, it is okay to not be in the spotlight, and it's normal to have weaknesses.

It is when all of us come together and bring our strengths to this brotherhood, that the school becomes something special. One person does not make up this brotherhood, rather, it is the collection of all of our ideas, talents, and voices that create the school we know as Salesianum

The theme this year, brothers unite, symbolizes how we as a school are one being. This brotherhood is built by the lasting relationships that we make during our time together. While each of us has our own individual talents and skills, the bonds that we make together, are what stands out most. When I look at these rings we receive today, I see the friendships, the accomplishments, the defeats, and all the other highs and lows that happen during the school year.

If you think back to our Mass on Friday, we honored those who sacrifice their time and lives to serve others. While not everyone here will become a teacher, a doctor, or a firefighter, we are all called to service as Salesians. In this gospel, I believe Jesus calls on his disciples to find pride and worth in what we give to others, rather than what we can keep for ourselves. It is not about how good one individual can be, what is important is what you can bring to the community and how you can better it.

This ring mass is the first big moment for us as seniors. It marks the beginning of the last year together at Salesianum. This time next year, we will have all gone our separate ways, taking with us the relationships and lessons we learned during our time here. However, that is the future. We still have one full year, filled with sports games, dances, and many more events to look forward to. But it is up to us to make the most out of this year. While it is easy to feel stressed out, trying to figure out where you’ll be in the next four years, it’s important to stay focused on today.

I know I said to focus on today, but seniors — I ask you to think ahead to graduation. Imagine yourself sitting in this room where we are today, looking back at the memories you made these past four years. I hope everyone will feel proud of their time here. Proud of the accomplishments made on the field or in the classroom. Proud of the friends you’ve made. Proud of the growth you’ve experienced as a person. However, this does not come easy. It takes a lot of time and effort to improve.

Now come back to today. What can you do in this present moment, to not only better yourself, but to better the Salesianum community? I urge you to get involved with as many things as possible. Join a new club, hang out with some new people, go to school events, just get involved. You can better this community by simply showing up to these events. When we leave this school in the same set of bleachers at graduation, I hope all of us have no regrets or feeling as though we missed out on something. This brotherhood is something special, not every high school student is lucky enough to have the opportunity to experience what we have here. While the future is exciting, do not take this last year for granted, and let's make the most out of our senior year. Brothers Unite, Live Jesus.