This morning, we celebrated the Graduation Mass for students in Grade 8 at the local elementary school. Every school has a different way to celebrate this milestone in the lives of their students, and this one is no exception. The care and attention to detail that is invested each year by the two teachers who share the load and responsibility for the formation of these students means that they spend hours making sure that all the details are in place: teaching the responses for the Mass, rehearsing the songs that are sung, allowing the various students who will proclaim the Word to practice their respective parts, composing personalized presentations for each of the recipients of rewards, catering a luncheon for students and families, preparing a video presentation of highlights of the years gone by ... and even decorating the room where the luncheon is served following the celebration of the Mass.
Un gros merci aux professeurs et aux membres de l'équipe à l'école St. Luke pour tous vos efforts ainsi que votre dévouement envers le bienêtre des élèves qui vous sont confiés.
When I go to the movies, I love to eat popcorn. Popcorn is good, but popcorn with salt and butter is better – it tastes better, doesn’t it? Have you ever eaten potato chips or French fries without putting salt on them? They’re just better with salt, aren’t they? Salt is the seasoning that makes so many different foods taste better. Now, I’ll admit that here in Canada, we probably do eat far too much salt, but it’s true, food that is seasoned with salt just tastes better, right?
Can you believe that almost a decade has passed since you started school? In some ways it seems like such a long time ago, and yet in other ways, the time has flown by. Here you are, quickly approaching the end of one road and ready to set out on the adventure that looms ahead. Over the last couple of months, I’ve had the privilege to visit with you quite regularly, but your parents and other family members, your teachers and other staff members at the school know you even better than I do. Each of the adults present here today has had some part to play in helping you to become the wonderful young people you are. You’re a really good group of young people. Since the day you began your schooling, we have watched you struggle and succeed. We have witnessed the many ways in which you change the flavor of life by being salt for the earth – at times challenging us to be patient, and at other times making us laugh, at times we need to discipline you but when all is said and done, we have fallen in love with you.
As I listened today to the words of the first reading from the letter that Saint Paul wrote to the Romans, I couldn’t help thinking about all of you: Each of you has gifts that differ according to the graces given: prophecy – sometimes there is great wisdom in what you say… ministry – you may not always be willing to admit it, but you are always willing to take care of each other, to help each other, to watch out for each other … teaching – even though you are the students, you too can teach lessons … encouragement – those who have had to face difficult moments can attest to the fact that when its important, you are really good at standing up for each other, and supporting one another … generosity – there are so many ways in which you have given of yourselves, sometimes in ways that surprise us; maybe you’ve even surprised yourselves … leadership – younger students in a school always look up to the older students for guidance, and you have done a wonderful job of leading by example … compassion – all of you have the ability to empathize with others, to be joyful when they are joyful and supportive when they are sad. This list of gifts sounds suspiciously like the list of virtues you have learned about, the virtues you have tried to practice each month in school. Now that you’re about to graduate, it’s time to look back and think: How did I do? Were there times during this past year when you did very well at practicing those virtues? Were there moments when you didn’t do so well? Have you taken the time to pray about them, to ask God to help you to practice those virtues? Don’t ever forget that God is always close to you, waiting for you to ask, and willing to help you … always.
When you walk out the doors of this church today, and when you walk out the doors of Saint Luke’s school next week, stop for just a second if you can. Take just a moment or two to remember all the friends you’ve made, all the teachers who have helped you to learn the lessons you’ve learned, all the people who have helped you. Say a quick prayer for all of them. Do it silently if you must, but do it, please do it ... you won't regret it ... then go out into the big, wide world, but as you do, don’t ever forget those lessons, don’t ever forget to use them wisely. Saint Paul also offers some words of wisdom for your journey: let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another … and outdo one another in showing honor. Be enthusiastic about life, be enthusiastic also about sharing your faith, look every day for ways to serve others, and to serve the Lord in all you do.
The more you do this, the more you will share the light of your faith with the world, so dear friends, go, be light for the world, and know that we, your teachers, your pastor, your family and friends will never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ always send you the graces you need so that you might live in his peace. Amen.
Un gros merci aux professeurs et aux membres de l'équipe à l'école St. Luke pour tous vos efforts ainsi que votre dévouement envers le bienêtre des élèves qui vous sont confiés.
Saint Luke’s Graduation Mass
When I go to the movies, I love to eat popcorn. Popcorn is good, but popcorn with salt and butter is better – it tastes better, doesn’t it? Have you ever eaten potato chips or French fries without putting salt on them? They’re just better with salt, aren’t they? Salt is the seasoning that makes so many different foods taste better. Now, I’ll admit that here in Canada, we probably do eat far too much salt, but it’s true, food that is seasoned with salt just tastes better, right?
Can you believe that almost a decade has passed since you started school? In some ways it seems like such a long time ago, and yet in other ways, the time has flown by. Here you are, quickly approaching the end of one road and ready to set out on the adventure that looms ahead. Over the last couple of months, I’ve had the privilege to visit with you quite regularly, but your parents and other family members, your teachers and other staff members at the school know you even better than I do. Each of the adults present here today has had some part to play in helping you to become the wonderful young people you are. You’re a really good group of young people. Since the day you began your schooling, we have watched you struggle and succeed. We have witnessed the many ways in which you change the flavor of life by being salt for the earth – at times challenging us to be patient, and at other times making us laugh, at times we need to discipline you but when all is said and done, we have fallen in love with you.
As I listened today to the words of the first reading from the letter that Saint Paul wrote to the Romans, I couldn’t help thinking about all of you: Each of you has gifts that differ according to the graces given: prophecy – sometimes there is great wisdom in what you say… ministry – you may not always be willing to admit it, but you are always willing to take care of each other, to help each other, to watch out for each other … teaching – even though you are the students, you too can teach lessons … encouragement – those who have had to face difficult moments can attest to the fact that when its important, you are really good at standing up for each other, and supporting one another … generosity – there are so many ways in which you have given of yourselves, sometimes in ways that surprise us; maybe you’ve even surprised yourselves … leadership – younger students in a school always look up to the older students for guidance, and you have done a wonderful job of leading by example … compassion – all of you have the ability to empathize with others, to be joyful when they are joyful and supportive when they are sad. This list of gifts sounds suspiciously like the list of virtues you have learned about, the virtues you have tried to practice each month in school. Now that you’re about to graduate, it’s time to look back and think: How did I do? Were there times during this past year when you did very well at practicing those virtues? Were there moments when you didn’t do so well? Have you taken the time to pray about them, to ask God to help you to practice those virtues? Don’t ever forget that God is always close to you, waiting for you to ask, and willing to help you … always.
When you walk out the doors of this church today, and when you walk out the doors of Saint Luke’s school next week, stop for just a second if you can. Take just a moment or two to remember all the friends you’ve made, all the teachers who have helped you to learn the lessons you’ve learned, all the people who have helped you. Say a quick prayer for all of them. Do it silently if you must, but do it, please do it ... you won't regret it ... then go out into the big, wide world, but as you do, don’t ever forget those lessons, don’t ever forget to use them wisely. Saint Paul also offers some words of wisdom for your journey: let your love be genuine, hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good, love one another … and outdo one another in showing honor. Be enthusiastic about life, be enthusiastic also about sharing your faith, look every day for ways to serve others, and to serve the Lord in all you do.
The more you do this, the more you will share the light of your faith with the world, so dear friends, go, be light for the world, and know that we, your teachers, your pastor, your family and friends will never stop thanking God for all the graces you have received through Jesus Christ. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ always send you the graces you need so that you might live in his peace. Amen.
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