Morning Mass in the Foothills

Upon waking from Friday’s night of faith and follies, the California High School Summer Program students rose bright and early this morning for a pilgrimage of sorts. After filling up on a continental breakfast in St. Joseph Commons, they headed outside and met at the flagpole for a sunrise hike. Though they would have to contend with the July heat, they were well prepared: Prefects armed the programmers with sunscreen and plenty of iced water, and Director of Admissions Jon Daly was on standby with an SUV, just in case anyone needed a ride back to campus. The crew was ready to handle anything the hike could throw its way.

The hikers began by trekking about a mile across winding paths and up steep hills, laughing as they exchanged jokes, and wondering with childlike amazement at the mysteries of mathematics. As they came within view of the “Painter’s Shack” — the ruins of a one-room brick building with a glorious view of the Santa Clara Velley — so did a makeshift altar and a smiling Fr. Sebastian. There the chaplain offered Holy Mass in the most spectacular of settings.

In his homily, Fr. Sebastian spoke movingly about the importance of doing something — anything — good, rather than nothing at all. “The sun hit the Eucharist while Fr. Sebastian was facing away from us,” observed prefect Patricia Doyle (’25). “It was beautiful — like a stained-glass window.”

The return hike took around half an hour with everyone banding together to finish strong. One programmer in particular, Ava C., hiked up the path and then back down on crutches, resolving to finish without help if she could. “It was super fun,” she said. “I figured it was an outdoor Mass, which you don’t get to do all the time, and I wanted to make the most of it.” Fr. Sebastian later told her, “You’re my favorite superhero.”

After an eventful morning of worship and heroics, the group enjoyed a delicious brunch — complete with breakfast burritos, bacon, sausage, and sweet pastries. Then, onto siesta. While some napped, others played pool, others still swam in the pool, and a large cohort honed their dance skills with another impromptu practice.

See the Summer Blog Sunday morning for an update on the rest of Saturday’s activities — including the epic volleyball tournament!  a