Journey Beyond Hallowed Halls

This is graduation season!  Always a time of celebrating, nerves about grades, commencements, family parties, and anticipation about the next step in one's future. For 30 years as a Catholic School teacher, I have been involved at several different levels of eighth grade graduation preparation and celebration.  It is always a hectic and rewarding time of the school year.

Today was no exception.  We celebrated Mass; the Big Shots (7th/8th graders) and their Little Squirts (pre-k & K) serving in all the ministry roles. Then there was 8th grade recognition and blessings, followed by doughnuts!  Who doesn't enjoy doughnuts on a beautiful spring morning.  The 8th grade posed for more pictures.  We wrapped up the morning with a tree dedication and planting; 8th grade preparing the hole and planting the tree.  More pictures.  Now the Class of 2019 is enjoying their send off party, hosted by the 7th grade.  It has been a wonderful day for all.

For many years, I have given my eighth graders a small gift or letter as a memento of their time in elementary school.  These graduates "CAN'T WAIT" to get out of elementary school.  It is the theme from December onward, and it is very prominent by April.  It is amazing to me that many of the students who 'couldn't stand' Catholic School come back to visit teachers, principals, pastors, and the school cook.

This year, as in the last three or four years, I am giving the graduates a final religion lesson.

A Final Religion Lesson

You are walking through the door into a large, wonderful world. At times it will seem awe inspiring, breathtaking, and beautiful beyond compare.  At other times, it will appear to be heartless, cold, and maybe cruel. Do not despair. Do not fret. Do not worry. Christ is walking beside you.

If you should stumble and fall, get up, brush yourself off,  and move forward. Christ is walking beside you. Trust your knowledge, rely on your moral compass. Lean on Christ, he is right beside you. When everything is going well, and life is grand, pause, take a breath, enjoy the moment!  You have earned it. Then look beside you—-Christ is there. When you study, when you play a sport, when you figure the area of a circle, when you struggle with transitive verbs, when you argue with your parents, when you are embarrassed by your peers, when you are crying over your first love—-own it. Accept it. Respect it. Learn from it. Move beyond it. Be thankful for it. Then turn and give praise, for Christ is right beside you. You are never alone.  Christ will always be right beside you. As the St. Joseph Class of 2019, Martinsburg, prepares for graduation Mass this week, may they remember everyone who stood beside them as they walked through these hallowed halls for nine years. Most of all, I hope they pause and smile, enjoying priceless memories and lessons.