The Most Reverend Michael Fitzgerald, the auxiliary bishop who oversees Catholic education throughout the five-county Archdiocese of Philadelphia, presided over Holy Ghost Prep's special 125th Anniversary Mass on January 26 at the Firebird Fieldhouse.

The bishop concelebrated with Rev. Daniel Sormani, C.S. Sp. and Rev. Chris McDermott, C.S.Sp. as well as with six alumni priests: Rev. John Burger SSC ’64, Rev. John LaRosa ’73, Rev. Thomas Nasta ’74, Rev. Tom Dailey, OSFS ’77, Rev. Bill Christy, C.S. Sp. ’82, and Rev. Stephen Brunner ’04, and one deacon, Randy Kraft '15 who will be ordained in the spring.

Four members of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament were also in attendance, commemorating St. Katharine Drexel's influence in the founding of the school.

"If it wasn’t for St. Katharine Drexel, HGP would not exist. And given the fact that this school began as Holy Ghost Apostolic College, a place where young men came from across the country to be educated to become Spiritan priests, it seems perfect that we had six alumni who are now priests and one young man who will become a priest this spring here to concelebrate with us,” said Holy Ghost Prep president Gregory J. Geruson. 

The bishop’s homily meshed perfectly with Holy Ghost Prep's mission. 

“We are all born with unique talents and gifts,” said Fitzgerald. “Your challenge is to develop those skills during your time at Holy Ghost Prep and then to use them to make the world a better place.”

After celebrating mass, Bishop Fitzgerald granted the school a special day off.