Prep Community celebrates Mass of the Holy Spirit

Dr. Robert Perrotta receives Ignatian Educator of the Year Award

Watch retired Principal Dr. Bob Perrotta receive the award

More than 800 Fairfield Prep students joined faculty, staff and parents at Alumni Hall to mark the beginning of the academic year with the school’s annual Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018.

President Rev. Tom Simisky, S.J., was the principal celebrant and homilist. The Mass is a tradition among Jesuit schools dating back to 1548 in which the community gathers to thank God for the gifts of creation and salvation, and to seek the guidance and wisdom of the Holy Spirit in the coming year.

Dr. Robert Perrotta, former longtime principal at Fairfield Prep who retired this past June, was presented the Fr. Martin Shaughnessy, S.J., Ignatian Educator of the Year Award. This award is presented to a faculty member or administrator who exemplifies the five ideals of a Jesuit high school educator: Open to Growth, Intellectually Competent, Religious, Loving and Committed to Doing Justice.

During the celebration the newest members of the Fairfield Prep community (the Class of 2022, transfer students, and new faculty and staff) were blessed by the rest of the community. The senior class was also recognized and blessed for the service it would be performing during this academic year.