MOUNT GREENWOOD — Archbishop Blase Cupich was schooled in the art of cheerleading on Tuesday night at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
Appointed Archbishop of Chicago on Sept. 11, Cupich spent the first quarter of the varsity basketball game in the student cheering section of the high school at 3737 W. 99th St. in Mount Greenwood.
The Mighty Macs took on the Bandits of Resurrection College Prep High School. Before the opening tipoff, Cupich led players and fans in prayer.
"He decided he wanted to visit four Catholic schools ahead of Catholic Schools Week," said Jennifer Busk, a Mother McAuley spokeswoman.
Mother McAuley is the second stop on Cupich's tour. He visited De La Salle Institute in Bridgeport last week, Busk said.
Catholic Schools Week begins Sunday, and Mother McAuley was the first all-girls high school on Cupich's tour, Busk said.
Cupich spent the second quarter with visiting students and administrators from Resurrection High School in Norwood Park. He left shortly after halftime, having received sweatshirts from both teams.
His McAuley sweatshirt was fashioned after the home team's jerseys and had his last name and the number 1 on the back. The Might Macs went on to win the game 59-40.
"I think people enjoyed seeing him in this different atmosphere and environment," Busk said.
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