As I complete my first year as vicar for Catholic Education, I have to say the best was kept for last.  As much as I enjoyed visiting schools and religious education programs around the diocese, and as much as I enjoyed celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation with our young people, graduations are the highlight. 

Having attended both elementary and high school graduations over the last few weeks, and I have to admit that Pomp and Circumstance in its various rendering does wear thin, truth be told I never tire of hearing the accomplishments of our students.

As we are seeing in our Catholic School Sustainability Commission, the investment in Catholic Education is one that pays great dividends. Our schools are a great success, whether one counts these successes in the amount of college scholarship money awarded, or the nearly 100 percent rate of college attendance by our graduates, or by the seemingly endless list of ways our students have contributed to our society, not because it is the right thing to do, but because it is their obligation as Catholic Christians. 

Even at preschool graduations I am inspired. Seeing the little ones gather and salute the flag, with most of the words of the pledge correct, and then to hear them sing “God Bless America,” even if they do sing “from the mountains to the fairies,” then to hear “Jesus loves me,” I am convinced that a foundation has been laid on solid ground and the house that is being built will have a chance to stand firm.

I have been privileged to see our students and to hear their speeches; and I know that Catholic education makes a difference and will continue to make a difference in our world.  Hearing over and over again how faith and the presence of God in daily life in our schools have shaped our students reassures me that our efforts are paying off.  One of our pastors told me of a valedictorian’s speech in which the student recounted how powerful the pastor’s talk on Christian morality was for that student, and the difference the talk will make in his life. It was music to my ears.

The mission of our Catholic schools is a mission we all share.  Each of us in the Diocese of Trenton can be proud of our graduates.  Each of us has contributed to their education and Christian formation.  Each of us can take pride in their accomplishments, and each of us can pray that they will continue to stay close to the Church.  God willing, some of these men and women may hear the call to priesthood or religious life.  Studies show that even as the number of Catholic school children has decreased, more than 50 percent of newly professes religious and recently ordained priests have attended a Catholic school.

So, on behalf of all of us, congratulations to the class of 2012, and may God richly bless your  lives, and may you always be close to Christ.