Graduates urged to keep the faith Continued from 5
But your future is not uncertain. God goes with you and faith makes you strong. As your Bishop, I urge you, don’t forget God and our faith, for any reason.” “When you go to college...take your faith with you.,” Bishop O’Connell implored the graduates. “Go to Mass…. You will meet people along the way who tell you, ‘why are you bothering.’ Believe the Lord’s words will be fulfilled.” “Graduation means now it is up to you!” he said.
PASSPORTS TO THE FUTURE In high school auditoriums, arenas and playing fields throughout late May and early June, graduates rejoiced with tassel and ring turns, cap tosses, warm handshakes and radiant smiles. The teens hailed from: Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton; Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville; Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran; St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel; Mater Dei Prep, Middletown; Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank; Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft; Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, Princeton; Villa Victoria Academy, Ewing; St. Rose High School, Belmar, and Donovan Catholic High School, Toms River. During their years of study, the graduates grew in their love of learning and Catholic faith, excelling not only in academics and sports but also in art, theater and the military. Some were recognized with notable awards and prizes, while others worked quietly and diligently to achieve their personal best. Their efforts were rewarded in many ways, not the least of which were grants and scholarships totaling more than $207 million. Teachers and administrators said that among the exceptional qualities of the graduates was their love for their school families and their dedicated service to the community at-large and those in need over the four years. Those they reached out to help included veterans, children, seniors and the disadvantaged among others, which continued as much as possible during the pandemic. Diocesan superintendent of schools Dr. Vincent de Paul Schmidt got a closer look at those efforts on June 6 when the Notre Dame High School Class of 2021 presented him with its traditional commemorative poster compiling all their service projects. Receiving the large, four-fold poster, Dr. Schmidt noted that the class had performed a total of some 20,000 hours of service for the elderly, poor and marginalized. Dr. Schmidt, who presented the diplomas, commended the students for their “awesome service” just before delivering a speech which included thanking them for “sticking with us” through four years of school where ser6 Class of
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vice to others is a core element of the curriculum. “You have not only survived but, based on what I’ve heard of your college acceptances, you have thrived…,” he said. “...You have developed your social consciousness, and your faith is going to continue to develop into a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Remember everything you were taught. Go out and make the world a better place tomorrow than it is today.” In his homily at the Baccalaureate Mass for the graduates of Christian Brothers Academy on May 14, Father Garry Koch, pastor of St. Benedict Parish, Holmdel, advised the young men seated before him to listen to the challenges St. Paul issued to his followers, and to “have strength and courage to follow the path to life and not the road to destruction. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things,” Father Koch said. “Keep on doing what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me. Then the God of Peace will be with you.” Similarly, Msgr. John K. Dermond reflected on the theme of new beginnings in the homily he preached during the Baccalaureate Mass he celebrated for the Villa Victoria Academy community June 6, the Solemnity of the
THE MONITOR MAGAZINE June 2021
With diplomas in hand, the Red Bank Catholic graduates congratulate one another as they prepare to enter a new journey in their lives. John Batkowski photo
