Celebration of the Class of 2025. Today we are going to be providing teeny ice cream lights in the Wrigley Road School. I see a man shining a light, and he is a strong man, and he will hold your word in life. I'm so glad to be a part of this.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen. The grace and the peace of all the world to be with you.
And with your spirit. And welcome and thank you for being here as we celebrate this afternoon as well as our 2005 address. And as we prepare to celebrate the sacred history, we pause and acknowledge our citizens and then with contrite hearts, we trust ourselves to God's presence.
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
You came to call sinners. Christ have mercy. Christ have mercy.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen. Let us pray. Set our hearts aflame, O Lord, with the spirit of your charity.
We pray that we may always think of us worthy and pleasing to your majesty. ...sincerely in our brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen. I say all to the collections, put on them as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving with one another.
As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also do. And over all these, put on one, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace to which you were also called in one vow, and to be thankful. Let the word of Christ flow in you richly, as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Giving thanks to God for following through. Thanks be to God. The responsorial song is, Lord, I love your commands.
Lord, I love your commands. I have said, O Lord, that my purpose is to keep your words. The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Lord, I love your commandments. Let your kindness comfort me according to your promise to your servants.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. Lord, I love your commands. For I love your commands more than gold, however fine. For in all your precepts I go forward, every false way I hate. Lord, I love your commands.
Wonderful are your decrees, therefore I observe them. The revelation of your words sheds light, giving understanding to the simple. Lord, I love your goodness. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Allelu Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit. A reading from the Holy God. Glory to you, O Lord.
As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love.
I have told you this so that my joy and my dear joy may be complete. This is my commandment. Love one another as I love you. It is not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give you.
This I command you, love one another. The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMILY
There is a legend. Associated with a name that you would probably recognize from about 225 years ago.
According to the legend, an old man was making a journey on foot in northeast Virginia when the weather unexpectedly turned bitter cold. As he lumbered along, the old man became stiff and numb from the harsh wind blowing off the river. When a group of men on horses approached, the old man turned towards them and stood motionless.
He watched as the first horseman galloped by, then the second, and then the third. When the fourth horseman approached, the old man waved his arms and called out, Sir, would you mind giving me a ride into town? Without hesitation, the horseman replied, Certainly.
He dismounted and he helped the old man get on the horse. Curious, the rider asked the old man, I noticed that you let several other riders pass you, but you stopped me. Why? And the old man explained, for years I have observed people, and I think that I am a good judge of character.
As the other men approached, not one looked me in the eye or showed any kind of concern for me. And I knew it would be useful to ask them for help. But when I saw you approach, you made eye contact with me. And I could tell that you would help me, so I called out to you.
The observation touched the rider's heart, and he told the old man, I hope people always see kindness in me. After taking the old man to his destination, According to the legend, President Thomas Jefferson turned his horse and made his way to the White House. How our third president hoped the people would always knew him illustrates well our gospel message today. In high school, you likely wore spirit wear, showing your pride as your school mascot.
Soon, many of you will be wearing clothing indicating the college or university you will be attending, and as well, you all likely wear clothing that reflects your style, your taste, your interests. Your clothing often expresses who you are, and maybe even what you value and what you believe. In our first reading today from Paul's letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds the early Christians, to whom he is writing, that they are always to be identified with Christ.
And so he tells them to clothe themselves with heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And over all things, he writes, put on love. So that whatever you do in word or in deed in the name of the Lord Jesus will give thanks to God the Father.
For St. Paul, to put on love is to identify with Christ and glorify God. In our Gospel Selection from John, which takes place within the context of the Last Supper, Jesus speaks to his apostles one last time before he is crucified on the cross. He says to them, As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my commandment. Love one another just as I have loved you.
This is how everyone will know that you are my apostles. If you love, want to love Jesus, to love is to remain connected to him and to witness to him. So what does all this mean for our gathering tonight?
Your parents have certainly sought to provide a good education for you all, because they want you to be a good person. to succeed in life. And the church teaches that in the area of education, your parents are actually the first teachers in the ways of faith. And it is always the church's fault that, as those teachers, your parents have equipped you with the tools that are necessary to be able to journey through life with faith, understanding that your ultimate goal is always heaven. As you prepare to graduate, our hope is that you will delight the Lord in your words and deeds, because what you say and do will show love for God and others.
It will show that you wear rest. In the legend of Thomas Jefferson, the old man told the president that he was a good judge of character. And Jefferson replied, and he hoped people would always see kindness in him.
Graduates, aspire to possess good character yourselves. And if people see that you have put on Christ, and if they can see that by your love you are a follower of Christ, Well, you have succeeded.
Can we stand now to offer our prayers and petitions?
The response is, "Lord, hear our prayer."
For Pope Leo XIV, Archbishop Samuel, Aquila, Bishop Jorge Rodriguez, and all who serve as leaders in the body of Christ, that God would fill them with wisdom, humility, and boldness to shepherd us to the well. May their lives point others to Jesus, and may their leadership help strengthen the unity of all believers and draw many hearts, especially young people, into deeper relationships with Christ and his church.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For our graduating seniors, that they may go forth with courage, joy, and purpose, always wearing love as their guiding virtue.
We pray this to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the families of our graduates, especially parents navigating the season of letting go, that they may find peace and trust in God's plan.
We pray this to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For teachers, mentors, and pastors who have guided students with wisdom and faith that their example continues to bear fruit.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those entering college, the workforce, or a timely consumer that God grants clarity of purpose and strong moral foundations.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For any graduates or families facing insurgency, grief, or hardships, that they may be comforted by Christ's enduring love.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all gathered here, live out the commandment to love one another and bear lasting fruits in our communities.
We pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
In grace, Father, in your great love, you have blessed us with the gift of faith and the privilege of becoming your modern-day followers.
In your command to love, you give us the grace to do it. May we cooperate with grace so that our love will indeed associate us always with you, help others, Thank you. Make a difference and give you glory. This prayer and all other prayers be answered through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
I'm going to show you how to do this. Make me a channel of your peace. There's a spirit that led me through As I'm living in solid light Where there's sadness and there's hope I surrender everything See, so much to be consumed as you can see. To be understood as you understand.
To be loved as you love with all your soul. The mission of the Holy Spirit is to bring you nearer to God, giving you the message that you will receive. Pray, brothers and sisters, that your sacrifice and mine may be accepted unto God the Almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy church. Sanctify this gift in your mercy, O Lord, and accept the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice. Grant, we pray, that we may extend your love to all, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
And with your spirit, we lift them up to the Lord. It is right and just. always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father, of mercies and faith in God. For you have given us, Jesus Christ, your Son, as our Lord and Redeemer.
He always showed compassion for children, for the poor, for the sick, and for the sinner. And he became a companion to those burdened and afflicted. By word and deed he announced to the world that you are our Father and that you care for all your sons and daughters. And so with all the angels and saints we exult and bless your name as we join our voices together to proclaim your word.
Holy, Holy, Holy, God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. You are indeed holy and glorified with God. Love and all the glory of God.
...from Jesus, the presence of our Master, and we are gathered by His love, and His touch with the disciples, and now for us, the oldest of scriptures, the next of bread. Therefore, Father, most graciously, we ask that you send forth your Holy Spirit to sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may become for us the body and blood of Jesus Christ. On the day before he was to suffer, on the night of his last supper, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take this, only for me, for this is my life, which will be given up for you. BELLS RING. In a similar way, the supper was handed to the chalice, gave thanks, and handed the chalice to his disciples, saying, Take this, Lord, give me three. For this is the chalice of my love, the blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for all men, for the forgiveness of sins.
The mystery of faith. We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again. Therefore, Holy Father, as we celebrate the memorial, I ask you as the Son of the Savior, will you lend from this passion of death and cross to the glory of the resurrection, and will you be seated at your right hand?
We proclaim the word of your love until we come to it, and we all do, for we are alive, and the challenge is lessened. Look with faith on the cooperation of your church, and as we show up at the cross to sacrifice, I say, stand your head round to us. And grant that, by the power and the sincere love of your love, we may be content now and someday to remain all the members of your Son in the body of the African nation.
Bring your church to the Lord with perfect faith and charity, together with the Archbishop , the Auxiliary Bishop, the Assistant Bishop, the Pope, the Pope's Bishops, the priests, the deacons, and the entire community who may be more than one. To the needs of our brothers and sisters, inspire in us forward actions to serve them truly, act with them as a friend and as a family, and make our church stand as a living witness to truth, freedom, peace, and justice, that all people might be raised up to. ...sisters will fall asleep in the peace of their Christ with all the dead, thanking the Lord of the world. It meant that you rejoice in the light of your face, and in resurrection, give him the goodness of life.
Grant us this voice, when our work in the image is ended, that we may come to a true, loving place and live with you forever. There in communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary of God, the Blessed Joseph of Christos, with the apostles, martyrs, and all the saints, we shall praise and exalt you through Jesus Christ your Son.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us from evil. Grant us great peace in our days, and by God's mercy, we may always be free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await for this hour in the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.
For Jesus Christ, your Savior, Apostle, peace I give you. I am peace, I give you. Look upon our service and all the faith in your church. I praise you, Father, for the peace and the beauty of the world. For your will, the living and the life forever.
Amen.
Peace to the Lord, in which you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
The Lord and the Holy Spirit, you stand for my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
With the understanding of our guests today, I have a moment of silence.
Catholics believe that this bread and wine is a way to engage the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. The Church refers to the real, devout presence of Christ in the Eucharist. But also, Catholics find this subject of the devout Christ in the community is a sort of orgulity.
They are the ways, the traditions, and our practices. So for those of you who are Catholic and have got your seat committed, I invite you to form two lines and come forward. When you receive communion, return to your seat by the side aisle.
If you are not Catholic and you are receiving, well, if you are not Catholic and you are receiving, the Deacon and I are going to offer a peaceful communion, and then we return to your seat by the side of us. Also for those who may be gluten-free, I have gluten-free hosts, we do have a concert for you local group hosts. Just come to me and approach me with this same one.
Thank you. Jesus, I pray for you. I pray for you.
I pray for you. I pray for you. I pray for you.
I pray for you. Thank you. We're children of God, and we know.
I think I'm gonna be There is no man in the world like you. We are all in this world. Thank you.
Thank you.
Good evening, family, friends, and most importantly, the graduating class of 2025. My name is Emma Van Bramer and I'm incredibly honored to share a few words with you tonight. I'm so grateful to be standing in the hall today, the very place where I graduated in 2020. Back then, I never imagined how much my faith would change.
Our Lady of Laredo gave me the validation and that Valor poured into it with Goldman. I found mentors who challenged me, classmates who prayed beside me, and opportunities to live out my faith through service and leadership. At Valor, I learned that it's not just something you carry quietly. It's something you wear every day.
And how you lead, how you love, how you serve. The theme of tonight's Mass, Put on Love, could not be one without you. St. Paul tells us in Colossians to clothe ourselves in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. And over all of these, put on love. The very theme that connects all of us and our experiences.
These words are more than a beautiful suggestion. They are the thing that connects all of us in our experiences. They are a call to action, and they are a challenge, one that I've seen lived out by so many of you, especially on our Mission trips and in the quiet, empty moments of kindness. I'm incredibly grateful for the Christian education, first here at Our Lady of Loreto then at Valor Christian High School, which challenged me to take ownership of my faith.
This fall, I will be attending the University of Notre Dame, and while I hope to remember, love isn't something we simply feel. Love is a choice that we must make every day, and it is every decision that we make, no matter how big or small. To stand up for what's right, to help those who are struggling, and to show compassion even when it's hard.
However, as far as vulnerability, patience, and sometimes even sacrifice. As we all go our separate ways, whether it is college, a gap year, a job, or military service, my prayer is that we remember this truth. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you.
Jesus says, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that we will be. I believe God calls us wherever we go with a purpose. To be light, to be loved, and to bear fruit that we will be.
Therefore, let us go and put on love. Let's be the kind of leaders who make Christ known by the way we live, and may we never forget the people and places that have shaped us. I want to close with one of my favorite quotes from St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
"Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love." As we step out into the world, the world needs our love. As we step into the world, please just remember that.
Thank you, and God bless you.
I'd like to get you to do it with me right now. And we'll offer a blessing for them.
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Bow down for the blessing. May God bless the God has done work in you, free of the fulfillment, guiding your steps, strengthening your faith, and blessing your endeavors with peace. Amen.
May God be with you. wisdom that in all your choices challenges and calls you may see what is right true and holy that god always walks with you on your journey of life empowering you to bear fruit to the remain especially to carry faithful and loving the world with conviction courage and joy.
Amen.
May the rest of the Holy Spirit, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
St. Michael the Archangel
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
We are one in spirit, we are one in God.
We are one in spirit, we are one in God. And now the world, we are Christians by our love.
And now the world, we are Christians by our love. We will walk with each other, we will walk in new faith. We will walk with each other, we will walk in new faith.
Together we'll strengthen this that God is in our land, and they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes, they'll we are Christians by our love.