GRADUATION AND SAINT JOAN OF ARC FEAST DAY

GRADUATION
This Sunday at 2:00pm, we will be celebrating Mass for our eighth graders on the
occasion of their graduation from Saint Joan of Arc School. This is a great celebration of faith and perseverance. Our eighth graders, some of whom have been at our school from their kindergarten years, have spent a significant part of their young lives within the sheltering and nurturing environment of a Catholic school. They have learned through the study of their faith how much they are beloved by God and of their inestimable worth and dignity. They have, furthermore, been challenged to be generous and compassionate to others especially those most in need. I am amazed at the degree to which they have made these virtues a part of their approach to others and to life. In addition to moral growth, they have learned over the years to use their God-given gifts of reason and thought. Their study of Math, science, English, arts and music, technology, sports and all of the other subjects has helped them to be prepared for secondary school.
I hear from principals and teachers in our neighborhood high schools that they can easily spot a Saint Joan of Arc graduate. It is not by their clothes, gadgets or material possessions but rather by their holistic development in body, mind and spirit. We are proud of our graduates and grateful to their parents for their sacrifices and good examples. Christian family life today has to cope with a lot of challenges and to be disciplined and value centered. At Saint Joan of Arc School, parents and students have learned to value spiritual realities and to embrace love and service to God and neighbor as most important priorities. At graduation, we will give praise and thanks to God for our eighth graders and join in hope and anticipation of the impact for good in our world that they will accomplish. In addition to our parents, I wish to give special thanks to the Sisters of Mercy, dedicated lay faculty and staff and benefactors for their critical roles in helping our graduates reach this important milestone.

SAINT JOAN OF ARC FEAST DAY
On May 30 at a special 9:15am Mass in the Church, we will celebrate the Feast of Saint Joan of Arc, our parish Patron Saint. Its close proximity to graduation is notable because Saint Joan of Arc as a young teenager set out on her unbelievable vocation to save France from English oppression domination. Saint Joan of Arc was a teenager filled with love of God and was responsive to God’s Word and Will for her. Even in the face of misunderstanding and persecution, she remained steadfast and courageous. It is hard to believe the historical facts that this young teenage soldier motivated and led French troops to an awesome victory. She was so convincing and heroic that age, gender, and class prejudice could not interfere with God’s will or her faith and perseverance. Saint Joan of Arc is a powerful role model for all of our young people and she teaches them to trust in God and in their own gifts and abilities. God wants to work miracles through us all and God’s grace will suffice.
– Msgr. Michael D. McGraw