2025 Commencement Remarks from President Sister Charlene Diorka, SSJ

It seems hard to believe that we are celebrating Commencement for Mount Saint Joseph Academy Class of 2025. I always like to remind the graduates, that although this ceremony highlights what you have brought to completion, the purpose of this ceremony is to mark a new start. Commencement literally means beginning. While it is the end of your 4 years at MSJA – it is also a new beginning. It’s a chance.

What do you do with a chance? You take it. That’s what we are celebrating today – the chance you took. A few years ago, you arrived at the Mount. You had a chance. This chance wanted something of you, from you and for you. This chance required courage and effort. It required you to reach beyond your comfort level. Despite your fear, you needed to take a chance every time you had the opportunity.  It called forth bravery. Every chance depended on you. You couldn’t hold back. You came to know that the second you let go of your fears, you were full of excitement. Not that you were no longer afraid, but your excitement was bigger than your fear.

You were ready. You took chances and embraced them. There was so much to discover. You joined teams and competed, performed on stage, wrote poetry, created works of art, sang and danced, played an instrument (sometimes 2 or 3). You competed in things like robotics, mathletes, mock trial, academic bowl, and Reading Olympics. You served the dear neighbor in countless ways and places. You became leaders in student council and liturgical ministry and raised money to support Magic-Thon. And you never forgot to serve right at home at MSJA when your presence and gifts were needed for an event. What do you do with a chance? You take it! 

Today, we remember that that 4 Sisters of Saint Joseph took a chance in the fall of 1858 to start a high school for girls believing that on the education of women largely depends the future. They trusted that the hope of the harvest is in the seed. 167 years later, we gather and celebrate the chance they took. In the church calendar, this is the feast of the Visitation in which we celebrate the chance that Mary took, trusting the God who called her to become the mother of his Son. Recognizing God’s call, she went in haste to visit her cousin Elizabeth who also was pregnant. The feast is a reminder of Mary's humility, her willingness to serve God, and her part in salvation history. 

We can look back at all the chances these years have brought. What did these chances become? New friendships, exciting opportunities, and daring discoveries. Chances were and are invitations and doors to whole new worlds. Chances help you see who you are, what you want, and where you want to go. So now you have a new chance. What will you do with that chance? Once again, that’s up to you and God’s grace. Thank you for taking a chance at the Mount. We’re proud of you and grateful for the legacy you leave behind.

Go with pride,
For you have reached a goal.

Go with hope,

For the future is bright with promise.

Go with a grateful heart,

For many have contributed to your success.

Go with a bit of regret,

For you leave something of yourself behind.

Go with peace,
With love, with joy
And with our prayers for
All your tomorrows.

 

Congratulations and God bless you!