The Class of 2023;  Crossing the Finish Line​

         At a high school graduation, a young man stepped up to the podium to deliver his speech. He started reading from a prepared text, telling the audience, “I want to talk about my father and the wonderful influence he has had on my life. He is a shining example of parenthood, and I love him more than words could ever do justice.”  Suddenly, the young man appeared to struggle for words, pausing for a moment. Then, with a sly grin on his face, he looked up and said, “Sorry, but it’s really hard to read my father’s handwriting.”
 
As the school year nears an end, a host of graduations have already been celebrated while others are in anticipation of this special day. Graduations awaken students as well as their families that an important stepping stone has been completed, which thrusts forth the fact that the fruits of a student’s labors have reaped dividends through efforts throughout years of study. This makes it known that a student did something well as a long range goal was attained. Graduation presents a challenge to tackle a new mission that invites demanding, unanticipated and complex challenges in the oncoming years. This is healthy for the self-image as it impounds the belief that a single person can make a difference in the world. Theodor Seuss Geisel also known as Dr. Seuss once stated, “Don’t cry because graduation is over, but smile because it has happened.”
 
Graduation navigates a student across the finish line as familiar activities and people are left behind since graduates trek to new destinations through uncharted roads, which serves the reminder that the scenery of yesterday begins to fade. Parents and faculty are often spark plugs to a student’s success in that they render a shot in the arm whenever a young person begins to maintain doubt in attaining advancement up the academic pedestal. A recent graduation speech that drew much attention this year took place at The University of Massachusetts on May 25 where Robert Hale, cofounder and CEO of wholesale communications provider Granite Telecommunications handed out two envelopes to graduating students with $500 in each envelope totaling the amount of $1,000. Hale addressed the graduates to say that the first $500 is for you. It’s a celebration of all you have done to be here today. You are leaders. Celebrate! The second $500 is a gift for you to give to … somebody else or another organization who could use it more than you.
 
The path to graduation invites a student into competition that is challenging yet sometimes painful; but, frequently renders healthy relationships that instills memories that implants bonds of lasting friendships due to lessons learned and prizes gained. Graduation erects a bridge that is crossed unaware of the environment on the other side that springs forth maturity and self-acceptance. This enables a graduate to cultivate a healthy attitude toward life aware of the blessings God bestows upon a particular life to make the world a better place. Recently WABC TV provided a lovely story about a 36-year-old man from Newark, NJ, Desmond Durham, who celebrated his Master’s Degree attained at Montclair State University while working three jobs, and caring for his son as a single parent. The man told ABC7 “Dedication, hard work and long days, long nights, it’s the will.” He mentioned that his 9-year-old son served as his motivation and the reason he kept pushing forward. The man’s ultimate goal is to become a high school principal in Newark, NJ. He certainly lived out the banner hanging over Montclair State University which reads, “Dream Big. Aim High.”
 
My congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2023. As you celebrate this special achievement be aware that your years of education constructed opportunity for the future. Have courage to follow your heart. God leads you in an unexplored direction. May each member of the Class of 2023 take advantage of the opportunity that awaits you as God generates strength in you to walk down roads of opportunity if you believe in yourself since God has pushed you across a finish line. Be proud of the institution of education you leave behind as it has grasped the best out of you, and cemented a foundation in a world that awaits your goodness, gifts, and blessings.

 In Christ's Love,
Fr. Bob