Dear Friends in Christ,

The coming month of June marks the start of the “Graduation Season” in schools everywhere. Congratulations to all students in our NE Seattle Catholic Community who will graduate this month, including those from our three parish schools, ASB, OLL, and St. Catherine. We wish all our graduates the very best as you move on to the next level of your educational journey. Please remember you always have a place within our church family, and we hope to see you often at Mass. We love you and pray for your health and well-being.

Commencement exercises are another term for a graduation ceremony. To commence is to begin a new phase of learning, growth, and discovery. This really applies to all people, no matter their age or stage of life. When I am presiding at Mass when our parish school students are present, I refer to the adults in the back of the church as “Graduate Students.” This is a reminder to everyone, including myself, that learning and growth are lifelong processes.
As I reflect on my own journey through the various learning communities and experiences in my 70+ years of life, I come back to the chorus of one of my favorite songs by the Monks of Weston Priory:

Journeys ended journeys begun; to go where we have never been, to be beyond our past; moments of lifting up, transcending death, rising in transparent light to the fullness of God’s presence. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.

Blessings of peace and wisdom to all!

Fr. William Heric, Pastor