By Thea Jarvis

Over a thousand students, teachers and guests pressed into St. Pius X High School's athletic center to mark the opening of the school year with Archbishop John Francis Donoghue Sept. 3.

Despite oppressive heat and a lack of air conditioning in the crowded gymnasium, Archbishop Donoghue appeared comfortable and at ease as he celebrated Mass with the youthful congregation, pledging his "devotion to the continuance of St. Pius X School,"

The morning visit, one of the archbishop's first forays into the field since his installation Aug. 19, also included a welcome by principal Donald Sasso, a reception with 24 newly commissioned student eucharistic ministers and representatives of St. Pius's five parent organizations, a comprehensive tour of the buildings and grounds and lunch with the school's development staff.

During the liturgy, the faint rustle of improvised paper fans and the occasional squeak of a bleacher were the only noises to be heard. Students sat attentively as the archbishop reflected on the readings of the day and the transforming power of a personal relationship with Christ.

"Knowledge, wisdom are gifts from God," he said, with "power to change us, to help us become ready to do things for other people."

Alluding to his August visit to Denver, where he celebrated World Youth Day with Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Donoghue recalled the pope's assurances that "the Spirit of truth will create a deep and abiding commitment to the new evangelization" -- a paradigm the pope described as a defense of life, promotion of human rights, and the fostering of a new civilization of live.

Following that vision is "what you are called to do," Archbishop Donoghue told students. "That's what we are all called to do."

The archbishop stressed that a faithful friendship in the eucharistic Christ is the surest way to a steady, focused life.

"Friendship only works where friends share," he said. "This applies to friendship with Jesus Christ as much as the person sitting next to you. May our lives reflect that holy friendship to which each one of us is called."

Following his homily, Archbishop Donoghue commissioned 24 seniors to serve as eucharistic ministers at the school. Sasso, a member of St. John Neumann Church in Lilburn, was commissioned along with the students.

At the end of the liturgy, concelebrated by the Father Richard Lopez and former principal Father Terry Young, student council members presented Archbishop Donoghue with remembrances of his first visit to Pius.

"Hey this is terrific!" the archbishop exclaimed, opening two gift boxes and holding a school T-shirt and blue warm-up jacket against his Mass vestments. When he donned one of two school caps that were part of the package, applause rang through the gym.

"He seems really nice," said sophomore Brian Grasso as he walked back to classes with friends after Mass.

"We were extra quiet," he said, referring to the respectful silence that prevailed during the liturgy.

Allison Smith, a senior, said the student body was "really nervous" about the archbishop's visit and teachers were even "more nervous."

"We all tried to really behave," she said.

Junior Angela Borzak appreciated the archbishop's sermon. "It wasn't the normal kind”, she said giving high marks for sincerity and brevity.

At the reception following Mass, the archbishop was deluged with requests for photos with bashful students and eager parents.

"It really made it special having him (at Mass)," said senior Vivian Adan between bites of a blueberry muffin. Her friend Isabel Tiu agreed, adding that the archbishop "made it feel more like a family here at the school."

Sasso, who later guided the archbishop through an extensive tour of the school with assistant principal and dean of studies Frank Moore, said the pastoral visit had a "tremendous impact on the kids, the staff and parents."

Archbishop James P. Lyke, OFM, was unable to visit students last year because of illness, Sasso remembered, though he had celebrated Mass at Pius during the previous year.

The unhurried pace of the archbishop's visit and his willingness to become acquainted with the school so soon after his installation signaled "a renewed pastoral presence" at the school, he said.

"He said he is very interested in us as the archdiocesan high school," said Sasso. "He appreciates the job St. Pius is doing and certainly wants to be part of it."