University president Fr. John Jenkins told the Notre Dame community to pray they are “afflicted with hope” when facing problems – especially emphasizing global environmental and sustainability issues – during his homily at Notre Dame’s Opening Mass Tuesday evening.
Students, faculty, staff and their families were invited to participate in the annual Mass in the Joyce Center, and enjoy the traditional University picnic dinner afterwards on the Hesburgh Library Quad.
The Mass, led by Jenkins, included words of welcome from University provost Thomas Burishand and was centered on Psalm 104, which asks God to “send forth [His] spirit and renew the face of the earth.” Both tied in part to issues of sustainability, a theme throughout the evening.