Graduation

Right Reverend Monsignor Daley, Reverend Fathers, Sisters, and Friends -

We have come here tonight for a ceremony that marks the end of our grade school days - our graduation. What is a graduation? The word may mean "a series of gradual changes or steps". In the past we have seen little changes taking place in our lives; we have taken steps so gradually that perhaps we hardly noticed them . But before we take this big step upward and outward, let us look back for a few minutes to see what we are leaving behind and what we are taking with us.

We are leaving behind some of the childish games and sports we once enjoyed. We are leaving simple subjects for harder ones. We are leaving this school, these classmates, these teachers who have become so closely associated with our educational life.

But we are taking many things with us, too. We are taking especially knowledge and memories. We are taking with us a knowledge of our Faith - of our dignity as children of God and heirs of heaven; a knowledge of the importance of our neighbor as a fellow member of the Mystical Body of Christ. We are taking with us a knowledge of all the essential skills that will assure success in or high school work; a knowledge of fair play and good sportsmanship, to prepare for cooperation and leadership in our new activities.

Then, we are taking memories - memories of our priests and teachers and classmates - of their kindness to us, their patience with us, their unselfish readiness to help whenever we needed them

Our knowledge gives us confidence that we will be able to meet successfully the challenge of new school experiences. Our memories bring us inspiration. . . . We call tonight our graduation night. Some would call it a commencement, a beginning. With the inspiration we have received, with our confidence in the future, we are ready to begin.

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