More than 250 freshman students and family members gathered recently to celebrate Notre Dame's third Freshman Family Liturgy, presided over by Father Jo Kim. Father Kim is the dioceses director of vacations and director of evangelization for the San Jose Diocese. The liturgy, an extension of classrooms activities revolving around Catholic faith and liturgy, is a teaching mass and included commentary from peer ministry leaders.

"I think this is a moment where we are forming students and families together," said Kathleen Quiazon, Notre Dame's director of mission and ministry. "Since parents accompany and support their daughters' spiritual growth in partnership with the school, this is an opportunity to provide the space for that shared learning and prayer. And, in our formation efforts for both students and adults, we are aiming to provide for the religious growth for families of all faith traditions. Pope Francis has spoken about the importance of openness in dialogue and evangelization and this moves us toward that."

There was something to learn for everyone, even life-long Catholics, in this moving and special celebration.

More than 250 freshman students and family members gathered recently to celebrate Notre Dame's third Freshman Family Liturgy, presided over by Father Jo Kim. Father Kim is the dioceses director of vacations and director of evangelization for the San Jose Diocese. The liturgy, an extension of classrooms activities revolving around Catholic faith and liturgy, is a teaching mass and included commentary from peer ministry leaders.

"I think this is a moment where we are forming students and families together," said Kathleen Quiazon, Notre Dame's director of mission and ministry. "Since parents accompany and support their daughters' spiritual growth in partnership with the school, this is an opportunity to provide the space for that shared learning and prayer. And, in our formation efforts for both students and adults, we are aiming to provide for the religious growth for families of all faith traditions. Pope Francis has spoken about the importance of openness in dialogue and evangelization and this moves us toward that."

There was something to learn for everyone, even life-long Catholics, in this moving and special celebration.