We Are Called
Missioning Mass
James Degnan
Salesianum School 2025
Photo credit: Bud Keegan Photography.
I would like to start this reflection with some advice from a very special person in my life: my mom. One thing my mom always told me growing up was to “be a good person.” This very simple, and yet powerful, reminder has stayed with me throughout my life. As I reflect on my time at Salesianum, I’ve come to realize that her words are not so different from the words from the Gospel of John: “That they may all be one…” Being a good person means more than just kindness—it means striving for unity, compassion, and connection with others. It means choosing to live in a way that brings people together. To Live Jesus. These words are not just directed toward his disciples, but to us. As the seniors are making the most of our final days here at Salesianum, this message resonates on a more profound level. We are about to begin a new chapter of our lives, and these words from the gospel serve as a reminder to use what we have learned from Salesianum and spread that “goodness” to the world. In Jesus’ final moments of prayer, He expresses His desire for unity not only with God, but with all of His believers. Jesus calls us to be united as one body connected through our love to spread the word of God by being our best selves and living Jesus. In this time of transition as we are facing the unknown of what is to come, Jesus’ prayer holds a powerful message: our futures are a long, winding road that lies ahead of us, full of uncertainty; along these journeys we should have our trust in God and in one another united as one brotherhood.
Each young man who has stood before us to offer a reflection has shared stories that have been genuinely inspiring. Today, however, I’d like to shift the focus to something even more central to who we are at Salesianum: the brotherhood that binds us together. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of participating in various areas in the community, including house leadership, Science Olympiad, and football. Each of these experiences has shown me different facets of what makes this place special. But perhaps the most eye-opening experience came when I stepped outside of my comfort zone and ran for student council last year. I saw this as an opportunity where I could give back to all of you who make this brotherhood possible. Through this experience, I gained a new perspective on how deeply interconnected our school community is. I saw how much time and effort Fr. Chris Beretta, OSFS, invests in building on the success of Salesianum. I witnessed Mr. Adams’ unwavering dedication to forming each of us into Salesian gentlemen. I watched as Mr. Stepek worked tirelessly to shape us into better young men, holding us accountable for our actions. And I was amazed by Mr. Bogad’s passion for the arts, which not only exposed us to incredible masterpieces but also ignited a deeper appreciation for creativity with the student body. All of these moments—big and small—showed me just how much work goes into making each school year a success. It’s not just the student leadership, but the entire faculty, staff, and administration that make Salesianum a place where we can grow and thrive. In a sense, we are incredibly fortunate, and yet we often take these opportunities for granted. Salesianum is a place made up of so many intricate working parts, all of which work together in unison to give us the opportunity to grow and form ourselves into Salesian gentlemen by the time we graduate. This harmony of effort and individuality reflects a core principle of Salesian education known as unidiversity—a term that embraces both unity and diversity. Rooted in the philosophy of Saint Francis de Sales, unidiversity reminds us that while we are each unique, we are also deeply connected by a shared mission and purpose. We each contribute and participate in this community in different ways, which gives us all a unique experience of Salesianum. And through these unique experiences, we come together and unite as one brotherhood.
Despite all our differences, what binds us is the brotherhood we’ve built. Throughout our time at Salesianum, we’ve experienced the highs and lows side by side. We have stood united through thrilling victories, broken state records, unforgettable performances on stage, raising over one hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars for Read Aloud, celebrated the most national merit scholars in school history, and cheered on a nationally recognized mock trial team. The list of accomplishments could go on, but the challenges we have faced together are just as important. We have felt the pain of losing our brother Jaden Earl, experienced heartbreaking state championship losses, faced rejections from our dream colleges, and fallen short of personal goals. Life is full of ups and downs, but through it all, God and this brotherhood are here to support us.
In this passage, Jesus thanks God for each of us because we are all a gift from God. Jesus said, “Father, they are your gift to me.” It is very easy to forget that we are loved for who WE are. Not because of what college you got into, how smart you are, what titles you have, or how much money you make. While these achievements should be celebrated, you are not defined by them. God views all of us as equal and sees us for who we truly are behind the curtains. As the seniors move on to their next step into a world that defines success by tangible awards or achievements, we are called. We are called by God to spread love to this world full of hate. We are called to Live Jesus and treat others as He would. We are called to serve those who cannot serve themselves. As we enter into the next chapter of our lives, we are called to spread the love and support of this brotherhood–no matter what the future holds for us, whether it be good or bad; as Saint Francis de Sales says, “we must march on as a band of brothers, united in meekness, peace, and love.” Brothers Unite. Live Jesus.