The Digital Classroom
May 14, 2020
Weekly Update for Families on Catholic Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Dear School Families,
I am excited to share that on Sunday, May 17, CatholicTV will air a special Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. in recognition of the thousands of Catholic high school seniors who are graduating this year but are unable to gather due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I will offer remarks to the 2020 graduates at the conclusion of this special Mass.
The Mass will air on CatholicTV on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:00AM from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Lectors from Cathedral High School are Joausto Carvalho Teixeira '20 and Fatima Caceres '20.
For more information please see below.
In Christ,
Tom
Thomas W. Carroll
Superintendent of Schools
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Prayer of the Week
The Fragrance of Christ
Help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go - let me preach you without preaching, not by words but by my example - by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to you.
Prayer: John Henry Newman
Art: @mahs_art
Join Cardinal Seán (Virtually) for the Baccalaureate Mass
This press release is from the Archdiocese of Boston:
On Sunday, May 17, CatholicTV will air a special Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap. in recognition of the thousands of Catholic high school seniors who are graduating this year but are unable to gather due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Superintendent Thomas W. Carroll will offer remarks to the 2020 graduates at the conclusion of this special Mass.
The Mass will air on CatholicTV on Sunday, May 17, 2020 at 11:00AM from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Lectors from Cathedral High School are Joausto Carvalho Teixeira '20 and Fatima Caceres '20. For the Mass program click here.
“Congratulations to the thousands of Catholic school seniors in the Archdiocese of Boston who are graduating and completing their studies this year,” said Cardinal Seán. “We are very proud of your accomplishments and inspired by your many acts of mercy built on a foundation of faith. In fact, it is faith that allows us to discover the meaning of things and their value. Faith allows us to discover God' s love and to discover who we are, why we are here, and what our mission is, our purpose in life. Faith helps us to understand the difference between right and wrong, between love and selfishness.”
“I join with Cardinal Seán in extending congratulations to our Class of 2020,” said Superintendent Carroll. In closing remarks to the graduates, he will offer that “Today’s graduates inspire us that — when this pandemic is all over — our future is in good hands.” In offering advice for graduates, he will say, “Sometimes are times for protest. Today, however is your time to “be still” as is said in Psalm 46. Reflect on where you are going, where God wants you to go. We wish you all great success in what you do and where you go from here. Whether college, a trade, the military or ultimately a religious vocation. No matter your path, remember always: your parents’ sacrifices; who you are; and perhaps most importantly WHOSE you are. Always leave room for God in your life.”
School Leaders Take Pride in Catholic School Students
Mr. Dennis M. Duggan, Jr., Esq. '70, President, Archbishop Williams High School, said, "We at Archbishop Williams applaud Cardinal Seán's decision to celebrate a Baccalaureate Mass for all archdiocesan high school seniors. At Williams, our Baccalaureate liturgy takes place on Commencement eve, and concludes with a cherished tradition — the blessing of alumni pins, which are presented to the graduates in a receiving line of all alumni in attendance. In light of the current coronavirus-related restrictions, our students will be unable to gather for this highlight of their Senior Week. I'm confident that they will take comfort in this opportunity to gather virtually to reflect on their years together and to contemplate their commencement along with other, similarly situated Boston-area Catholic school graduates."
Dan Carmody, Head of School, Cathedral High School, said, “For so many families, coming together for a Baccalaureate Mass is a rite of passage; it represents the culmination of years of high school dedication, triumphs, challenges, and ultimately of accomplishment and pride. For our students at Cathedral, while we hope this celebratory Mass helps encapsulate their high school career, we also hope that they experience it as a launching pad for their never-ending journey as disciples of God. We’re grateful to Cardinal O’Malley, and the Archdiocese of Boston, for prioritizing this occasion for our students during such a challenging time. Our high school seniors represent the future leadership of our city, country and world — it’s fitting that we send them off in prayer.”
Catholic school students from across the Archdiocese of Boston have been accepted to a diverse cross-section of colleges and universities. For a sample list of these schools click here.
In his homily the Cardinal will tell graduates that commencement means “a beginning.” He will add, “Your life after graduation in many ways is a new beginning. You are making this new beginning in a time of great uncertainty and confusion but hopefully the ideals and values nurtured by your Catholic faith will lend you the courage and wisdom you will need for decisions that lie ahead.”
Cardinal Seán will provide this advice to graduates, “Sometimes when we perform the work of charity or mercy or when we make a sacrifice to promote a more just society, we think we are doing God a favor. Actually, we are climbing that mountain of love, that leads to the only authentic human fulfillment, to real happiness and to salvation. Never tire of climbing that mountain.”
Saint Monica School, Methuen
East Boston Central Catholic School
A tradition at EBCCS during the month of May is to start each day with a decade of the Rosary. To honor that tradition and celebrate at home, the 8th grade class created a beautiful video of the Rosary to share with school families. Credit: @East Boston Central Catholic School
Saint John School, North End
There's a parade in town...check out the parade for Mrs Congenmi. St. John students and parents are so sweet! Credit: @Saint John School Boston
Saint Theresa School, Somerville
Juan drew this for his art class — he misses Saint Theresa School!
Lowell Catholic, Lowell
Xaverian Brothers High School
Monsignor Haddad Middle School
Gary Gator and members of the faculty and staff hit the streets today to honor our graduating 8th graders! Credit: @mhmsgators
SJP2CA - Lower Mills
Mission Grammar School, Roxbury
Stopping the Spread: Student Scientists in Action - An Archdiocesan Essay Contest
We are thrilled to invite your child — Ages 2.9 - Grade 8 — to participate in the Archdiocese of Boston Catholic Schools Writing Contest: Stopping the Spread: Student Scientists in Action. In this contest, your child will create a public service announcement for their peers that explains how to stay safe during a virus outbreak.
The contest was created by Rhonda Eaton, fifth-grade teacher from Saint John Paull II Catholic Academy, Lower Mills Campus, and Theresa O'Neill, CSO science consultant. They differentiated the contest for all grade levels!
Entries are due back to the CSO by May 27, and on June 19, The Museum of Science will host a live 30 min webinar to announce the winners. There will be one winner per category.
To learn more, including the guidelines for each grade, visit our news page at www.csoboston.org.
Faith Resources for the Domestic Church
- FREE Catholic LoveLife Conference: May 22-24, 2020: More than 70 speakers will offer free, short, and impactful presentations for teens, single young adults, married couples, and parents. Fortify your home and rediscover the beauty and goodness of God's plan for human love in your life! Speakers include Jason & Crystalina Evert, Chris Stefanick, Matt Fradd, Sarah Swafford, Sr. Bethany Madonna, SV and more! REGISTER HERE!
- Ultimate Catholic Activities FREE During COVID-19 Crisis
- Have fun with the Rosary (no, really)
The Rose Institute
The Rose Institute is continuing its online programming into May with all new workshop content. Open to new and returning students. Each seminar will be held weekly for 1 hour sessions. Offerings include Elementary and G7+ Debate, Public Speaking 1&2 Workshops, Business Leadership Seminars, and a survey of American history through the lens of great speeches given in times of crisis.
Visit https://rosedebate.com/connect to learn more.
Improving communication never stops for the Rose Institute; not even in quarantine.
Today's COVID-19 Briefings from the Government
Catholic Schools Office
Email: bostoncatholicschools@gmail.com
Website: csoboston.org
Location: 66 Brooks Drive, Braintree, MA, USA
Phone: 617-779-3601
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CSOBoston/
Twitter: @csoboston