From the Pastor’s Desk:

On Tuesday evening here at St. Agnes Cathedral, our eighth grade class walked through the doors of the Cathedral, for their last trip down the aisle as a St. Agnes Cathedral eighth grade class. In the fall they will begin a new life, a high school student. Most will continue their education at Springfield Catholic High School. They will meet new friends, while continuing old friendships, new teachers, new freedoms which come with added responsibilities. They will be studying new subjects while building upon old ones. It will be an exciting time and a scary time, all the while struggling to figure out who they are and what life really is all about.

Graduation is NOT the end of something as much as it is the beginning of something. Being in education as a teacher for 17 years, director of the theater for 14 years and once again a chaplain for years at both Notre Dame High School as well as Springfield Catholic High; young people are not really completing something as much as setting the table for themselves to accomplish something great in their lives, whether from Middle School or High School graduation. I believe it can be summed up in 3 words: unselfishness, servanthood and love All three are found in the life of Jesus Christ who is our brother, friend, example and God.

UNSELFISHNESS – is the key to real success. So often people think only of themselves and at the cost of hurting others or neglecting others, actually in the long-term find themselves empty and always wanting more because they were selfish. Christ is our example.

SERVANTHOOD – is the 2nd key to real success. Serving others is what enables a person to experience gratitude, appreciation and a sense of community. Christ is our example.

LOVE – is the 3rd key to real success. Listen, you don’t have to like everybody. For that matter you can like just a few people. But we’re commanded to love everyone. Regardless of color, ethnicity, language, etc. Each of us is made in the image and likeness of our God, each of us have been given the opportunity to be loved and it begins by us loving ourselves, others and Christ.

These are why we have Catholic Schools, to put Jesus Christ as the reason for all we do, and the example to follow. The Holy Eucharist we receive in Holy Communion at Mass fills us with God’s strength and love. United about the altar we truly are members of God’s family. Congratulations to all of our young people in a job well done.

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