'Make wise and thoughtful choices for yourselves as you direct your life. The Holy Spirit will help you.'
HUNTERSVILLE — "What I see before me this evening is a class of joyful, graduating seniors," Bishop Peter Jugis said as he warmly greeted graduates, their families and faculty of Christ the King High School May 24 for their baccalaureate Mass at St. Mark Church.
"Joyful because not only are you graduating, but also because the Holy Spirit who gives the gift of joy, the fruit of joy to those who are open to His actions in their lives, is motivating you and moving you this afternoon as you prepare for your graduating ceremony," Bishop Jugis explained.
Bishop Jugis offered the Mass of the Holy Spirit for the 27 members of the Class of 2016 and for their intentions. The Mass was concelebrated by Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church, and Monsignor Richard Bellow, retired priest in residence and former pastor of the parish. Father Paul McNulty, parochial vicar, served as master of ceremonies.
"Where will the Holy Spirit lead you?" Bishop Jugis asked the graduates during his homily, noting that to some of them the answers to that question would come through prayer. As an example, he shared that one of their classmates is discerning a call to the priesthood and will enter the new St. Joseph College Seminary this fall.
"Where will the Holy Spirit lead all of you? To marriage? To single life? What will He ask you to accomplish in your life, all under the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit?"
"Each of you is gifted with blessings of the Holy Spirit," he continued, assuring them that the Holy Spirit will continue to form them in the religious virtues and human virtues.
"So listen to the Holy Spirit, listen to His voice, pay attention, as He has much to show you how you can serve Almighty God all the days of your life. It's a great revealing and unfolding of a mystery of a plan that God has for you."
Christ the King's Principal Brendan Keane providentially commented on the Class of 2016's spirit before the Mass. "They have an incredible spirit as a class," he said. They were a group that was such a pleasure to work with. Very easygoing and great leaders in the school as well."
Assistant Principal Michael Smith, has served at the high school since its founding with these tenacious students who moved locations several times during their time at Christ the King before the permanent school building was completed off Highway 73 in Huntersville.
"It's a great joy (to see them graduate)," Smith said. "They've taken well to the program we've tried to provide for them. Many are going off to great colleges. It's a group that has bonded well. They take their faith seriously. It's quite a joy."
Class of 2016 president Romeo Antolini, who will either head to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill or the U.S. Coast Guard Academy this fall, is hopeful about the school's future.
"I think it's great to see the school is viable and it's continuing. Back in the very beginning they weren't sure, even after the first (graduating) class, if it could keep going, but now it's getting bigger and bigger," Antolini said. "Seeing classes grow, I think it's really showing how the faith is growing in this area. It's great to see everyone graduating and going to great colleges. It says a lot about the (school) system."
Along with his blessing, Bishop Jugis shared two wishes he has for the Class of 2016.
"May God give you a spirit of wisdom. In other words, make wise and thoughtful choices for yourselves as you direct your life. They Holy Spirit will help you. St. Paul prays for us, prays for you.
"May you be enlightened with the hope of eternal glory. In other words, know what the ultimate goal of your life is ‒ to get to heaven, to be with God forever in your heavenly homeland."
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter