MISSION AND MINISTRY | Olivia Sica was the first student to step into Sacred Heart Chapel in over one year. The occasion was to celebrate her confirmation mass. “The chapel is so beautiful and breathtaking and it was also amazing to see the windows from the inside,” said Sica. “My favorite part was being with the other students in the LMU community and feeling like it was a space to safely gather with one another.”
Sister Maria Lai, CSJ, the campus minister who oversees the confirmation program has been virtually teaching confirmation to Sica since September. “Olivia loved learning. She was very mature and had a real desire to receive the sacrament,” said Lai. Every week they would meet virtually to learn more about the Catholic Church. Sica says the experience has ignited her faith. She actually chose St. Ignatius as her confirmation name because she is so grateful to Sister Maria, and the Campus Ministry team. Sica’s family was also able to join the ceremony from Connecticut via a live stream. Lai tried to make the event as special as possible. “This was the first very time someone came into the Church for over a year and it was for a sacrament. God always provides,” says Lai.
This was also the first mass to use the new predella that was installed right before the pandemic started. The predella, or platform upon which the altar sits, has a beautiful design with IHS (the first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus) and a sunburst from the seal of the Society of Jesus.
Currently, attendance at Mass is limited to sixty students and residential faculty and staff, in an effort to maintain 6-feet for physical distancing among attendees. Sunday Masses will continue to be offered each week at 5:30 p.m. through May 2 for current students.
Campus Ministry will also offering a special blessing for seniors at the final student Mass on Sunday, May 2 at 5:30 p.m. Marc Reeves, SJ will be presiding and Chris de Silva will be playing music.
