CLEVELAND — St. Mary Byzantine Catholic School’s 13 graduating students were honored with a Divine Liturgy and reception June 3.

“As an educator, it has been most gratifying watching the development of the 13 graduates of the Class of 2018,” said the principal, Rita Basalla. “This class has grown to be persons who demonstrate the respectful and responsible behaviors that we all pray to see in graduates of our Catholic school.”

Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, of Parma celebrated the Divine Liturgy. In his homily, he reminded those present of the need to give thanks.

“Parents, give thanks to God for your kids, for they are precious. No money, no title, no health, is more important; they are the most precious possession you have,” he said.

He emphasized the school’s role in forming young people as one of the most important ministries of the church.

“For this reason, the church takes care of the young people, for you are the future of the church in the United States,” he said.

Expressing his hope for their Christian formation, he thanked the pastor, Father Marek Visnovsky, as well as the school teachers for witnessing to Jesus Christ.

Drawing on the Gospel reading on the call of the Apostles Andrew and Peter, he told the graduates that their schooling at St. Mary’s was to form them into examples of Jesus Christ.

He urged those present to consider that the call of discipleship in the Gospel is for everyone, not just priests and religious. All baptized persons are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, he said.

He told the graduates that the church is present to them in times of trouble and he encouraged them to reach out to the pastor in times of need.

St. Mary School is the only Byzantine Catholic elementary school in the country.
 
Caption: The 13 graduates of St. Mary Byzantine Catholic School stand in their blue robes as their principal, Rita Basalla, presents them to Bishop Milan Lach, SJ, at St. Mary Parish June 3. The bishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy marking their graduation.
(Photo: Miriam Visnovsky)
 
As published in Horizons, June 17, 2018.
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