Catholic Education and Community Shine at Mullen High School’s Final All-School Mass with Archbishop Golka

Held during Lasallian Heritage Week and on the birthday of St. John Baptist de La Salle, the Mass served as both a celebration of the Eucharist and a joyful reminder of what it means to belong to a Lasallian Catholic community.

Lasallian Heritage Week serves to remind our students of the worldwide impact of Lasallian education. Planned by Students Council, each day during the week was reflective on the five Lasallian Core Principles:

Today, the Lasallian mission spans more than 79 countries and serves over one million students through more than 1,100 educational ministries worldwide, making it one of the largest Catholic educational networks in the world.

Before Mass, Archbishop Golka shared his excitement about visiting Catholic schools and emphasized the importance of unity within the Church.

“As the Archbishop, I love getting a chance to go out and visit the schools and the different Catholics and Catholic facilities around the diocese, so this is a great gift for me to be able to come out and just let them know that we're all together,” Archbishop Golka said. “As Catholics, we support each other, and we don't do it alone.”

The Archbishop also reflected on his own Catholic education and the gratitude he carries for the sacrifices his parents made to provide it.

“I love youth, and I love Catholic schools. Product of Catholic school myself, so I love visiting schools because it reminds me of who I am and where I came from. I get great gratitude for the sacrifice of my parents.”

His homily centered on the strength and lifelong value of Catholic education, forming strong students AND  faithful and compassionate people. Early in his message, Archbishop Golka immediately connected with students through a quip about his new role. “I’ve only been Archbishop for one month,” he joked. “So I’m just learning myself.”

The lighthearted moment drew laughter throughout the Rilko Chapel before the Archbishop transitioned into a deeper reflection on gratitude and Christian service. Sharing a personal story, Archbishop Golka described sitting in a drive-thru line when he learned the person in front of him had anonymously paid for his meal simply to spread kindness.

Inspired by the gesture, he decided to pay for the order behind him. When the total came to $42, Archbishop Golka realized he had exactly $43 in cash, allowing him to leave an additional one-dollar tip for the employee working the window. He explained that once each month, he intentionally performs an anonymous act of kindness as a reminder that true gratitude is not transactional.

The Archbishop challenged the Mullen community to live out the Lasallian Core Principle of “Concern for the Poor and Social Justice” by serving others without expecting recognition or repayment. His message resonated deeply with students, faculty, and families alike: when people give generously without looking for something in return, those moments of goodness eventually come back when they are needed most.

The presence of Deacon Tim Kenny ’77 added another layer of meaning to the celebration. A proud Mullen alumnus, Kenny spoke warmly about the lasting influence the school has had on his faith and family.

“Mullen’s very dear to my heart,” Kenny shared. “My education here had a huge impact on my life and my vocation. I’m grateful to Mullen.”

Kenny also reflected on the generations of his family connected to the school, including his children and nephew, further illustrating the lifelong bonds created through Catholic education at Mullen.

“I have a connection here, and I’m glad to come back, and it’s always joyful.”

As the school year draws to a close, the final All-School Mass stood as more than a tradition. It became a reminder of the mission that defines Mullen High School, forming young men and women of faith, service, leadership, and compassion within the global Lasallian Catholic tradition.

In a world searching for purpose and connection, the Mullen community continues to demonstrate why Catholic education remains so impactful: students are not only prepared for college and careers, but challenged to live lives rooted in faith, gratitude, and service to others.

Following the Mass, Archbishop Golka remained at Mullen to personally greet students, faculty, and staff, taking time to shake hands, share conversations, and connect with members of the school community. The moment reflected the Archbishop’s joyful and approachable spirit, as well as the close-knit nature of Catholic education. For many students, the opportunity to meet the newly installed Archbishop firsthand made the celebration even more memorable. It reinforced the sense of unity shared throughout the Archdiocese and the Lasallian community.

For students celebrating Lasallian Heritage Week, the message from Archbishop Golka was clear: the smallest acts of kindness can change lives, and the values learned in a Catholic school community extend far beyond the classroom walls.