Cardinal Cupich blesses garden at Carmel High School

Carmel Catholic High School played host to some high-profile guests for a Wednesday Mass at the Mundelein school.

More than 1,500 students, faculty and guests cheered as Cardinal Blase Cupich entered the gym, where he was joined by Bishop George Rassas and Jim Riggs, superintendent of the Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools, for the Mass of the Holy Spirit.

"This Mass is dedicated to all of you praying for the gift of the Holy Spirit," Cupich said during his sermon. "You have grown up in an era with all sorts of images in the entertainment world that give you a particular perspective about self image inspired by and empowered by the spirit."

Cupich said everyone is given a spirit of options to help with relationships, and he discussed two - forgiveness and leadership.

After Mass, everyone went outside to attend Cupich's blessing of the recently completed Mary of Mount Carmel Garden. It features new landscaping, a water fountain and stream, walking paths, and the statue of Mary created by internationally renowned sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz.

The statue was gift to Carmel Catholic by an anonymous donor, with funds for the garden provided by Joe and Diane May and from last year's Walkathon fundraiser, and the landscaping provided by Bartels Landscaping. Landscape artist Katherine Mark was responsible for the garden's initial design.

"Everybody was pretty excited and amped up for it. We are very happy to have him here," senior Noah Thigpen said after watching the garden blessing. "This is new here and we love it. It is nice that he blessed it and give us a nice welcoming spirit here at Carmel with the garden."