St. Rose High School, Belmar, Baccalaureate Mass and Honors Convocation
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Every pew within the Church of St. Rose, Belmar, was filled with proud family, friends and benefactors joyfully witnessing the class of 2014 mark an academic milestone May 29 during the annual baccalaureate Mass and Honors Convocation. Yellow and purple-gowned students preceded Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrants in a procession into a liturgy celebrating the Ascension of the Lord.
In his homily, the Bishop likened the end of the students’ high school careers to the “graduation” of the apostles at Jesus’ resurrection, calling the timing of the Mass a “wonderful coincidence.”
“It was up to [the apostles] to continue Jesus’ work on earth,” the bishop noted. “Your time in high school enabled you to grow in faith and inherit the message of today’s feast.” Bishop O’Connell thanked the parents for their sacrifices needed to send their young men and women to the shore area Catholic high school, and each student handed their loved ones a rose at the Sign of Peace to reinforce the message.
Following the liturgy, the seniors were recognized during an awards ceremony for their academic and community achievements with scholarships and grants totaling over $14.7 million. Msgr. Edward J. Arnister invited the parents to extend their hands over their children, then sang an Irish blessing tune to them in a strong baritone.
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Every pew within the Church of St. Rose, Belmar, was filled with proud family, friends and benefactors joyfully witnessing the class of 2014 mark an academic milestone May 29 during the annual baccalaureate Mass and Honors Convocation. Yellow and purple-gowned students preceded Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., and concelebrants in a procession into a liturgy celebrating the Ascension of the Lord.
In his homily, the Bishop likened the end of the students’ high school careers to the “graduation” of the apostles at Jesus’ resurrection, calling the timing of the Mass a “wonderful coincidence.”
“It was up to [the apostles] to continue Jesus’ work on earth,” the bishop noted. “Your time in high school enabled you to grow in faith and inherit the message of today’s feast.” Bishop O’Connell thanked the parents for their sacrifices needed to send their young men and women to the shore area Catholic high school, and each student handed their loved ones a rose at the Sign of Peace to reinforce the message.
Following the liturgy, the seniors were recognized during an awards ceremony for their academic and community achievements with scholarships and grants totaling over $14.7 million. Msgr. Edward J. Arnister invited the parents to extend their hands over their children, then sang an Irish blessing tune to them in a strong baritone.
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