Pastor's Remarks
Grade Eight
Baccalaureate Mass
June 5, 2008
In the Fall of 1999, most of you entered through the doors of St. James School as five and six year old members of the Kindergarten class. For nine years, you’ve had a chance to bond with each other, to know a variety of teachers, to participate in all types of contests, from spelling bees to geography bees, from field days to talent shows, from girls’ and boys’ basketball teams to boys’ baseball and girls’ softball. Many of you got involved in the parish’s scouting programs, while still others chose to immerse yourselves in student council, choir, the creation of the annual yearbook, theater productions or clubs moderated by our teachers.
You’ve been through a battery of tests from Terra Nova to high school placement exams. You’ve had nine years of report cards and just as many years of tests, quizzes, essays, reports and other tools of evaluation. While all of the faculty had a vested interest in shaping you as today’s graduates, you should also give yourselves a pat on the shoulder for the peer ministry which allowed you to affirm each other. While the present Class of 2008 is, by some standards, a small group, it wasn’t always. And while some students left for other schools or moved away, you always welcomed those who joined you, last year, two years ago, five years ago. You are a class that will be remembered as a “nice class,” a “goodhearted class,” a group of individuals who, in some ways, are as different from each other as night and day; yet, together, you have a esprit de corps. This French expression means you have good chemistry together.
Class of 2008, you will be missed. This morning’s liturgy is your last school Mass and today, we honor you who, tomorrow, will be awarded certificates showing that you have completed all your requirements and thereby proclaiming you “graduates” of St. James School.” But as you leave these pews as the latest 8th Grade to don cap and gown, take what you have learned, academically, morally and spiritually and bring it with you to the next school in your lives. For the roots which we, clergy, faculty, parents and classmates, have given you, will continue to grow and bear a bountiful harvest.
I’m proud of you, Class of 2008 and, as your Pastor, I pray that God bestow on each of you nothing but fond memories, a fun-filled summer and a great learning experience in the next leg of your educational journey. Nine years ago, you entered these doors as Kindergartners – tomorrow, you will pass through these doors as Graduates of St. James School. We share in your joy. We revel in your achievements. We wish you well and we’ll always be rooting in your corner. God bless you all.
CATHOLIC_SCHOOLS_WEEK_2008.pdf
Catholic_Schools_Week_Mass_1-31-07.pdf
Jr_High_Back_to_School_Night_9-21-06.pdf
Back_to_School_Night_9-26-06.pdf
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