Mass of the Holy Spirit, street fair kick off Year of the City

More than 500 people turned out for Loyola's Sept. 10 Mass of the Holy Spirit and street fair, the official kick-off to the Year of the City initiative. Celebrated this year at St. Ignatius Church in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood, site of Loyola's campus from 1855-1921, the Mass is a tradition at Jesuit educational institutions, calling for God's wisdom at the beginning of the academic year. The fair that followed--open to parishioners at St. Ignatius, students and families from St. Ignatius Loyola Academy and the neighboring St. Frances Academy and Community Center, and residents of Mount Vernon--offered food, games and live music, as well as an opportunity for members of the Loyola Community to reaffirm their connection to the City of Baltimore.

See the photos and reflections below, and then feel free to share your reflection on the event.

College President Brian F. Linnane, S.J. (center, shown with several members of Loyola's Jesuit Community) presided over the Mass. Rev. Timothy Brown, S.J., Provincial of the Maryland Province of the Society of Jesus (second from left) offered the homily.

Fr. Brown's moving homily evoked not just the spirit of the Year of the City, but also the memories stirred by the following day's fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Poly-Western High School's Marching Flock, a staple at Loyola sporting events, opened the fair with their exciting entrance.

Jennifer Zimmerman, '07, a member of the Year of the City Committee, addressed the crowd assembled at the fair.

A group of Loyola students enjoy some of the complementary festival fare available.

These lucky girls made sure to get their faces painted and pick their favorites from a menagerie of balloon animals, two of the fair's most popular activities.

Memphis-based rock band Florez, a Loyola favorite from Fr. Linnane's Inaugural Week celebration, closed the festivities.

Reflections

"It was a truly amazing experience to see Loyola students invested in the school's Year of the City mission. This was a great kick off to the year."  (Joshua Grubka)

"I thought it was a great experience to go into the city! I absolutely loved the street fair and all the freebies!"  (Tara Johnson)

We would love to hear your reflection on the Mass of the Holy Spirit and the Street Fair: