By Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor
Parishes around the Diocese found meaningful and prayerful ways to recognize the young adults who received diplomas this year.
Some invited all graduating parishioners –from preschool up to postgraduate, trade school or the military – to specially planned Baccalaureate Masses, where the graduates wore their academic gowns and mortar boards and sat as a collective group for the celebration of the Eucharist. After Holy Communion, the presider bestowed a blessing and offered prayerful words of congratulations as the graduates begin a new phase in their lives.
Then, there were parishes – such as St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Whiting, and St. Andrew, Jobstown – where ministries commemorated their graduates’ achievements with special projects and by awarding scholarships.
Rosemary MacMaster, who has been the parish youth minister in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Whiting, for 11 years, said an essay contest on “What My Catholic Faith Means to Me” was sponsored for graduating high school seniors. The scholarships were awarded at the noon Mass that was celebrated June 12.
MacMaster proudly noted that there were three scholarship recipients this year, all of whom have been active in the parish since childhood – her daughter Shannon MacMaster, who graduated from Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin; and John Scott and William Downing, who both graduated from Donovan Catholic, Toms River. MacMaster plans to pursue studies in engineering at the Honors College at the University of Maryland, while Scott plans to study philosophy in The Catholic University of America, Washington. Downing is also entering CUA as a theater major.
“I feel in today’s day and age,” to have teenagers who give so much to their parish, “the Mass and the scholarships are a way to thank them for living their faith and serving our church,” said Rosemary MacMaster, adding how the three scholarship recipients have been active as readers, youth group members, altar servers and eligious education assistants.
In St. Andrew Parish, youth minister Anne Marie McMullen said the parish has invited high school graduates to a “Year End Mass” for years. This year, the invitation was extended to college graduates.
At the 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass celebrated June 18, two college graduates, Bridget Zaleski and Carly Wilkins, had a chance to address the congregation and give brief reflections on how their faith has impacted their lives, especially during their college years.
Zaleski spoke of how she turned to prayer as she discerned her major and pursued her nursing studies in Rutgers University at Camden. She said it was especially meaningful to share her faith with patients while working in a dialysis unit as part of fulfilling her credit requirements, adding that she hoped she helped give the patients some encouragement through prayer.
Wilkins enjoyed sharing how, through her friendship with Zaleski, she became involved in the youth group at St. Andrew even though she is not Catholic – she is Baptist. Through her youth group experience and the friends she made, Wilkins said she has come to relate to the Catholic faith and believes it helps keep her grounded. She believes turning to prayer helped keep her on a “positive track” during her years at Hofstra University, where she majored in drama.
“Being in the youth group helped me to find who I am,” Wilkins said.
In addition to the Mass, St. Andrew Parish also recognized its high school graduates through an essay contest, which was sponsored by the altar-rosary society. The 250-word essay topic was “How Will Your Catholic Faith Guide You After You Graduate?” said Ruth Staub, who coordinates the senior award for the altar-rosary society.
This year, the $500 award was presented to Caitlin Herbert, a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville.
Having an occasion to recognize the graduates is important “because we want to help them feel that they are part of the parish beyond their graduations,” McMullen said. “We want them to stay connected to our parish and continue on in their faith. We want to make sure they feel welcomed here.”