Monsignor Donovan grads move into the future with God
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Gray clouds threatened, but only jubilation reigned as 210 new graduates of Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River, pitched their mortarboards skyward after the baccalaureate Mass and commencement on June 4. Standing outside St. Joseph Church, Toms River, parents and siblings, friends and teachers witnessed the ritual signaling the start of the future for the Class of 2012.
Amid the celebrating, students took a moment to reflect on their years at Ocean County’s only Catholic high school.
Click HERE for gallery of photos.
“These were the best four years of my life,” said Tyler Stamberg. “It’s been more than school. It’s been home for me. It has given me opportunities to grow and to serve others.” In the fall Tyler will be a freshman at Seton Hall University, where he will major in nursing “to continue to serve others.”
Ashley Hollingsworth shared her classmate’s sentiments. “Monsignor Donovan brought me out of my shell and helped me excel. I’ll be going to the College of St. Elizabeth for a degree in primary and special education,” she said.
The graduation of the 47th class began with the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated by Father John Bambrick, pastor, and Father Patrick McPartland, parochial vicar. The Monsignor Donovan High School choir led in song, its senior members in caps and gowns singing one last time for their school.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell told the graduates, “The proof that Monsignor Donovan is what it says it is in what you are and what you do. Your years [here] have taught you and formed you well. Like the mustard seed in the Gospel, you will continue to grow and take your place in the kingdom of God…now you will take responsibility and make what you learned here your own.”
The bishop exhorted the graduates to hold onto their faith as they leave the safety of their home and school. “Take your Lord with you into a happy and holy future,” he said. “You are small and the future is uncertain, but your faith is big … and can carry you through all uncertain moments …It is your path through life.”
Commencement followed the liturgy, beginning with the honors address delivered by class valedictorian Catherine Marie Moresco, who urged her peers to do all they can to change the world. “When kids read about us in the history books, they will sigh, roll their eyes, and ask their teachers, ‘Why do we have to know this?’” she said. “Let’s give them something to marvel at!”
Dr. Edward G. Gere, principal, presented her with an award as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist Student and announced, “Catherine is only the 13th student in our school’s history to have made it to the top one-percent.” The principal presented Richard Kenneth Roberts with the salutatorian award.
Assistant principal, Eileen McCullion, and vice principal, Kathleen D’Andrea, presented the graduates to Father Bambrick and Dr. Gere who conferred the diplomas. At the end of the program, the graduates cheered, breaking two hours of solemnity, then strode out to hug parents and bid farewell to their teachers and friends.
Parents shared their perspectives as they watched the last minutes of their children’s high school days. Mark Babuschak, waiting to greet his daughter, Justine Marie, commented, “I am here as a proud father. I graduated from this school 26 years ago, and I am very happy to put both my children through Catholic school and to see the bishop here.”
Sasha Briana Johnson’s mother Regina reflected, “My daughter learned to do so much. … to network and to get along with everyone. She hopes to make a major difference in the world by studying childhood psychology and family law.”
Teachers beamed as students embraced and thanked them. Guidance counselor Carol Wallace said, “This is the best job ever. I have loved these students. They have come so far.” Glen Effenberger, teacher of sociology, commented, “This class has been a cast of characters, but every graduating class is. I am sure that each one of them, in their own way, will make a tremendous contribution to society.”
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Gray clouds threatened, but only jubilation reigned as 210 new graduates of Monsignor Donovan High School, Toms River, pitched their mortarboards skyward after the baccalaureate Mass and commencement on June 4. Standing outside St. Joseph Church, Toms River, parents and siblings, friends and teachers witnessed the ritual signaling the start of the future for the Class of 2012.
Amid the celebrating, students took a moment to reflect on their years at Ocean County’s only Catholic high school.
Click HERE for gallery of photos.
“These were the best four years of my life,” said Tyler Stamberg. “It’s been more than school. It’s been home for me. It has given me opportunities to grow and to serve others.” In the fall Tyler will be a freshman at Seton Hall University, where he will major in nursing “to continue to serve others.”
Ashley Hollingsworth shared her classmate’s sentiments. “Monsignor Donovan brought me out of my shell and helped me excel. I’ll be going to the College of St. Elizabeth for a degree in primary and special education,” she said.
The graduation of the 47th class began with the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrated by Father John Bambrick, pastor, and Father Patrick McPartland, parochial vicar. The Monsignor Donovan High School choir led in song, its senior members in caps and gowns singing one last time for their school.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell told the graduates, “The proof that Monsignor Donovan is what it says it is in what you are and what you do. Your years [here] have taught you and formed you well. Like the mustard seed in the Gospel, you will continue to grow and take your place in the kingdom of God…now you will take responsibility and make what you learned here your own.”
The bishop exhorted the graduates to hold onto their faith as they leave the safety of their home and school. “Take your Lord with you into a happy and holy future,” he said. “You are small and the future is uncertain, but your faith is big … and can carry you through all uncertain moments …It is your path through life.”
Commencement followed the liturgy, beginning with the honors address delivered by class valedictorian Catherine Marie Moresco, who urged her peers to do all they can to change the world. “When kids read about us in the history books, they will sigh, roll their eyes, and ask their teachers, ‘Why do we have to know this?’” she said. “Let’s give them something to marvel at!”
Dr. Edward G. Gere, principal, presented her with an award as a National Merit Scholarship Finalist Student and announced, “Catherine is only the 13th student in our school’s history to have made it to the top one-percent.” The principal presented Richard Kenneth Roberts with the salutatorian award.
Assistant principal, Eileen McCullion, and vice principal, Kathleen D’Andrea, presented the graduates to Father Bambrick and Dr. Gere who conferred the diplomas. At the end of the program, the graduates cheered, breaking two hours of solemnity, then strode out to hug parents and bid farewell to their teachers and friends.
Parents shared their perspectives as they watched the last minutes of their children’s high school days. Mark Babuschak, waiting to greet his daughter, Justine Marie, commented, “I am here as a proud father. I graduated from this school 26 years ago, and I am very happy to put both my children through Catholic school and to see the bishop here.”
Sasha Briana Johnson’s mother Regina reflected, “My daughter learned to do so much. … to network and to get along with everyone. She hopes to make a major difference in the world by studying childhood psychology and family law.”
Teachers beamed as students embraced and thanked them. Guidance counselor Carol Wallace said, “This is the best job ever. I have loved these students. They have come so far.” Glen Effenberger, teacher of sociology, commented, “This class has been a cast of characters, but every graduating class is. I am sure that each one of them, in their own way, will make a tremendous contribution to society.”
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