Along with diplomas, the 190 graduates from Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, were handed some food for thought.
Similar to Jesus’ saying to his apostles in St. Luke’s Gospel, “To whom much is given, much will be expected,” Ken Jennings, in his commencement welcome, encouraged the students to embrace that same invitation from Jesus as they move to the next chapter of their lives.
PHOTO GALLERY: NOTRE DAME HIGH’S BACCALAUREATE MASS
PHOTO GALLERY: NOTRE DAME HIGH’S GRADUATION
Jennings also asked them to always remember the five Mercy core values: respect, integrity, justice, service and compassion “that can serve you wherever you go in life. … Live the Mercy core values and you will live Jesus’ command – ‘To whom much is given, much will be expected.”’
Graduation weekend began with a June 3 Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Father Jason Parzynski in the school auditorium. The commencement was held June 4 in the CURE Arena, Trenton, where the class’s noted achievements were acknowledged including the 26,000 total hours of service given by the students in the past year. Other accomplishments include the Sunrise and Sunset event established to foster a sense of community among the senior class, and having three graduates earn Eagle Scout status.
When addressing the parents, Jennings cited the quote, “That there are two lasting gifts we can give our children – one is roots and the other is wings.”
“Be proud knowing that we have planted the roots in our children by providing them with this gift of a Catholic education at Notre Dame,” Jennings said, “but parents, we also know that it is time for these young women and men to fly their wings.”
Graduate Ryan Carr said what she enjoyed most in high school was the community atmosphere, the activities she was involved in that put God at the forefront and, most of all, the memories she made.
“Notre Dame High School has prepared me for my future by having me ready for college,” said Carr, a member of Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, who will major in business at the University of Alabama.
Carr’s mom, Debbie, added her daughter “had an absolutely wonderful experience, from the friends Ryan made, the athletics she participated in and the high-quality education that she received. I feel that Notre Dame has helped Ryan grow in faith [and]into a strong independent young woman.”
Kevin McGovern, father of Aidan McGovern, and a member of St. Joseph Parish, Millstone Township, said that he and his wife, Cathy, had high expectations for their son at Notre Dame.
“Those expectations were exceeded in every respect,” McGovern said.
“Most importantly, he leaves Notre Dame deeper in faith when he arrived and committed to doing the good works that faith requires of him,” McGovern said, adding how proud he is that Aidan was presented with the Bishop George Ahr Award for Excellence in Religious Studies.