Brotherhood

Opening School Mass
Brent Gehring
St. Francis de Sales School, Class of 2026

Good morning, Knights! You may have seen me on the baseball field, in the weight room, in the student section at games, or just in the halls. If we have not met, Hello, my name is Brent Gehring, and I am a senior who has been attending SFS for 6 years. So, 7th Graders, I have been in your shoes, thinking that it was going to be a long 6 years. But I promise you, once you become a senior, you’ll wish those years hadn’t flown by so fast.

When I was writing my Reflection, I knew that I wanted to speak about the brotherhood, but I did not know what memory of the brotherhood I wanted to talk about. I have chosen to tell you a memory from my 8th-grade year, the last year all three of the Gehing boys were at St. Francis de Sales School.

During that year, my brother Robert was a senior, and my other brother Jack was a Sophomore. I remember it being the first pep rally of the year. During the Alma Mater, I was mumbling the words because I had not memorized them yet. As I was swaying with my classmates, I looked at Jack, and he had a very vibrant smile. He looked as if he were truly connected with his classmates. Then I looked at Robert, and he had a similar happiness, but his smile was more full of pride. Now I don't think that just saying words that were hung up on a wall could bring about these emotions. So in my mind, I was thinking about why they had these emotions. Then I looked at Robert again, and he looked at me for a quick second. Then I realized that it was the student body that inspired this emotion. It was the Brotherhood.

Looking back at the brotherhood, it has done so much for me. My brother Knights have supported me through many obstacles, like starting a sport; they have encouraged me, especially at those 6 am workouts; they have helped me gain certain characteristics that a man should have, but most of all, the brotherhood has given me a deeper connection to my older brothers. Robert, Jack, and I are completely different people. And I know teachers who have had all three of us can attest to that. I will never be able to give my brother Knights what they have given me, a deeper connection with my older brothers.

Another person I want to mention is God. Without Him, I would have never been able to experience this community. I believe all of us should keep him in our thoughts when we experience the brotherhood. St. Francis said, “ We must march on as a band of brothers united in peace, gentleness, and love.” He taught that friendship, rooted in faith, gentleness, and mutual respect, leads us closer to God. When the student council and I picked out this quote to be the theme this year, I loved it because it clearly states that the Brotherhood is deeply connected and supports one another. I think that those are some of the main characteristics that make the Brotherhood so strong and truly Salesian.

Brotherhood here at SFS is not just about cheering at games or working hard in the weight room, but about living out that Salesian spirit of optimism and kindness every day. Our friendships, our encouragement, even our challenges, are all opportunities to “Live Jesus” together. Brotherhood becomes holy when we see Christ in one another, and that’s what makes this community unlike any other.

The Brotherhood means so much to me, and I was so lucky to be shown it by my two older brothers. So I ask you this year, knights, if you have not yet felt it, then search for that connection. If you have, then be an example of the Brotherhood for those searching.

Before I close, I want to say to Robert and Jack, thank you. I have learned so much from both of you, and I know that no matter what kind of problem I am facing, I will have both of you there to help me. And thank you for showing me the brotherhood. You have helped me find something that I will never be able to repay you for.

Thank you for listening.

March on.

May God be praised!