Baccalaureate Mass livestreamed for 3 graduating senior classes
CHARLOTTE — Bishop Peter Jugis encouraged the Class of 2020 to let the Holy Spirit be visibly active in their lives, in a message he delivered during a special baccalaureate Mass streamed live May 28 from St. Patrick Cathedral.
The private Mass was offered for the graduating seniors of the Diocese of Charlotte’s three Catholic high schools, since the usual baccalaureate Masses for graduates could not be held due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.
“Let the fruits of the Holy Spirit be noticed by everyone you meet,” Bishop Jugis told graduates in his homily. “Let them be active in your lives.”
Bishop Jugis urged them and all who were watching the online Mass to listen to what the Lord is asking of them through the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, forbearance, gentleness, faith, modesty, self-control and chastity.
“What a powerful witness of Christ you will be with these fruits of the Holy Spirit,” Bishop Jugis said. “Let the goodness of Christ shine out from your lives by living these fruits of the Spirit, which is living within you.”
He prayed that the Holy Spirit would “accompany you now as you move forward.”
Principal Kurt Telford from Charlotte Catholic High School; Dr. Carl Semmler, principal of Christ the King High School; and Debbie Mixer, assistant superintendent of Catholic Schools, attended the baccalaureate Mass.
Father John Putnam, chaplain of Christ the King High School; Father Noah Carter, chaplain for Bishop McGuinness High School; and Father Joseph Matlak, chaplain of Charlotte Catholic High School, concelebrated the Mass with Bishop Jugis.
Members of the Class of 2020, faculty and staff of the three high schools accessed the livestream to participate virtually in the baccalaureate Mass.
During his homily, Bishop Jugis told the graduates watching at home online that he had been looking forward to being with them for this baccalaureate Mass.
“I’m proud of you, graduating seniors of the Class of 2020 for our three Catholic high schools,” he said.
“This Mass is a Mass of the Holy Spirit, and you see the red vestments we are wearing which reminds us of the fire of the Holy Spirit, those tongues or flames of fire that came to rest on each of the Apostles and the Blessed Mother at Pentecost,” he told them. The fire of the Holy Spirit also reminds us “of God’s love that burns in our lives.”
“From the day of our baptism onward, that Holy Spirit is guiding us and driving us forward in our lives of faith and service to Christ,” he said.
Bishop Jugis said he commended the principals, school chaplains, teachers, staff, students and school families for making the adjustments necessary to continue learning at home so these students could graduate – despite all schools being closed to in-person classes during the pandemic.
“In this Mass, we are asking God’s blessing upon each one of you and your families. Please be assured that I continue to pray for you,” he said.
The Class of 2020 is comprised of 456 graduates: Bishop McGuinness High School in Kernersville has 82 graduates; Charlotte Catholic High School in Charlotte has 309 graduates; and Christ the King High School in Huntersville has 65 graduates.
— SueAnn Howell and Kimberly Bender, Catholic News Herald