For taking photos at the Spring Concert: Mr. and Mrs. Brian Tran
For sponsoring the graduation reception: Mrs. Elizabeth Tractenberg and her team of dedicated parent volunteers: Mr. and Mrs. Joe Chavez, Mrs. Joan Dimen, Mrs. Miriam Schardt.
This week’s photos include: seniors making their Matura presentations and Commencement Speaker, Dr. Ma with headmaster, Fr. Gabriel.
Upcoming Events
May 27th: Parent sponsored student lunch, 11:30 a.m.
May 31st : Baseball Awards Banquet, 7:00 p.m.
June 1st: Deadline for Student Account and Book Fee deposits
June 4th: Last day of school
June 5th: Parent Bucket Brigade – end of year cleaning of the school dorms, 9:00 a.m. All volunteers welcome!
Commencement Speaker, Dr. Jackson Ma ’80.
Thank you for inviting me to speak at your commencement. There is a story I would like to share with you, the graduating class, today. I remember many years ago, Father Szanto took us several of us on a weekend trip to Tijuana. We were interested in buying leather jackets. In one particular store we had negotiated the price of jackets down quite a bit. At the moment whe
n everyone was satisfied with the negotiations, Father Szanto stepped in and wanted us to pay the merchant more money. We were surprised because we had agreed on the price. At the time, we were confused by Father Szanto's suggestion. After my own high school graduation, I thought back to this event and decided that Father Szanto was probably trying to be just and fair with the merchant. Recently, I thought about the event again. I think now that it wasn't as simple as just being fair. I believe Father Szanto trying to teach us to love this merchant as a brother in Christ. Having love for others is what Jesus Christ our Savior told us to have.We know that all of you have a great education and great training here at St. Michael's. But there is more to St. Michael's than just study. What you will take when leaving St. Michael's is a valuable experience living with and learning from the priests, the s
eminarians, your teachers, and fellow classmates. The experiences which are taken from here will continue to help you mature in the years to come. This hilltop experience will shape your character. It will shape of faithfulness to God. It will shape your personality and how you treat other people.I wrestled with what is truly important to share with you on this graduation day. I prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide my talk and two things consistently came up.
The first -- remember to love God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul. He knew you before you even conceived. He knew your whole life before you were even born. Remember to pray first before you do anything. Remember to pray first before you plan anything. Reme
mber to pray first before you even think about planning anything. Our Heavenly Father knows what is best for you; He will lead you if you let him. If you are successful in your future endeavors be humble because that success is giving you by God. If you struggle to accomplish your goals be comforted because God knows the right time to give you his gifts. Remember to pray, pray, and pray.The second important thing -- is described in Mark 12:13. Jesus told us to love your neighbor as yourself. Remember to be compassionate to the people around you. People are going to look to you to see how a follower of Christ should act. Show by your actions what Jesus would do. Love the people who hate you; love the people who love you; love the people who are suffering; love the down and out. These are the two most important things to remember as you step into the next part of your life.
Praise God as you step forward bravely and boldly into the next chapter of your life. You have a strong and rich tradition that you bring with you from this hilltop of St. Michael's. God bless you all.
Birthdays This Week
May 24th Joseph Rivero
May 25th Joseph Terlisner
May 29th Don Nguyen
Prayer Requests
• Aid to the Church in Need, an international charity of the Catholic Church, which is seeking God’s blessings upon their work and their national directors during the month of May.
• Mrs. Delores Hasset, godmother of Mrs. Debbi Holke, who is suffering from cancer
• Mrs. Maureen Mitchell, aunt of Mrs. Debbi Holke, who is suffering from cancer
• St. Michael’s older priests and those who care for them
• Those who suffer in the current economic crisis
• Those who are in the armed forces.
• For the repose of the soul of Mr. James Kuper
• For the repose of the soul of Mrs. Evelyn Terlisner, Joseph Terlisner’s grandmother
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