MENDHAM As any parent knows, it’s not easy getting teenagers out of bed in the morning, but a hardy band of high school students from St. Joseph’s Parish here have become early risers in order to attend Mass before the school day begins.
On the first Monday of each month, a growing group of mostly public school teens are in attendance at the parish’s daily 6:30 a.m. Mass. After Mass in the parish chapel, they gather to enjoy a hot bagel breakfast together before heading off to school.
“Going to the ‘First Monday Mass and Bagels’ is a better start to my week and my month,” said Connor Brady, a senior at Mendham High School. Fellow senior Shannon Horan agreed: “It’s a really unique and fun experience; I always know I’m going to have a good week and day after.”
Mark Tosso, St. Joseph’s youth minister, thinks the early start time is providential. “Our culture encourages us to fill our schedules with so many activities that God is crowded out of our lives. I saw the early Mass before school as a way to push back and reclaim a space for Jesus in our day by experiencing the transforming effect he has on our hearts in the Eucharist.”
Hopi Graham, a junior at Mendham High, said. “I get up so early because when I can start my week off by going to Mass it makes for a more peaceful week. I become closer to God and create closer relationships with amazing people — plus bagels are one of my favorite foods!”
Msgr. Joseph Anginoli, St. Joseph’s pastor, is impressed with the rows of teenagers at the 6:30 a.m. Mass. He leads the effort because “It is so important for our young people to realize that all we do finds its genesis at the Eucharistic Table.” Receiving the Eucharist and spending time in fellowship afterward, he said, helps teens “realize our sense of community as members of the Church, God’s people.” Msgr. Anginoli said he prays that the teens “proclaim their Catholic faith not only in word but in action” when they join their classmates and teachers at school.
“It’s a cool thing to be a part of,” said Shannon Horan, “and I love rolling up to school saying we just went to church!”
“Our teens’ extra effort of getting up early is worth it,” adds Tosso. “And we are so thankful to our priests for the sacrifices they make to allow us to share in the Eucharist before school and work. What an eloquent witness to our young people.”