Fr. John Eustice, CSV, has served as a religious brother in Campus Ministry on and off for 10 years at Saint Viator High School. But with the start of the new school year he returned as a newly ordained priest to serve as Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry.
Fr. John Eustice shares his homily.
On Wednesday, he presided over his first Mass at the school, the Mass of the Holy Spirit, which traditionally takes place at the start of the school year. It was a significant moment. After helping students plan and organize Masses while in Campus Ministry, this was the first time he was the celebrant.
“It felt natural to preside,” Fr. John said, “and give a homily at the Mass of the Holy Spirit.”.
In the Mass, they read John’s gospel in which Jesus tells his disciples that God would send the Holy Spirit after his death and resurrection. As the disciples confronted the fear and uncertainty of the thought of being without Jesus, Fr. John used the story of his own first day of kindergarten to illustrate what it felt like to feel alone, at the end of what is known, and to be taken care of by someone else.
Associate Ann Perez opens the Mass.
“Does this sound familiar,” he asked the student body, “on the border between old ways and new beginnings, and the feelings of anxiety, fear and excitement that go along with it?”
Not to worry, he told them. The Holy Spirit is with them.
“The Holy Spirit is here to bring you peace,” he told them. “The Holy Spirit is the wind and breath that brings us around this table — even with our doubts, anxieties and troubles.”
Fr. John was ordained in June after nearly 20 years as a Viatorian brother. In reflecting about his decision to become a priest, he said it would help him to provide another layer of ministry, to all those he accompanies.
“I look forward to continuing to minister as I have been doing, only this time with another set of tools to help engage people to the sacramental life of the church,” he said in anticipation of his ordination. “The sacraments will be more accessible to the ministries I am a part of.”
In closing his homily to the Saint Viator students and faculty, he urged them to dedicate this new academic year to the Holy Spirit, who is with them always.
“Let this year be one where we rely on the Holy Spirit,” Fr. John said, “and live out our purpose, be the message of God, and the real presence of Christ for others.”