St. Mary’s of the Lake
Baccalaureate Mass
June 28, 2020
“Through the darkness of today's conflicts, every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness.”
Pope Francis, June 2, 2017
Pope Francis, June 2, 2017
Class of 2020
Hope Azzam
Benjamin Kringer
Margaret Rose Benedict
Luca Kuhns
Hannah Boyer
Grace Kush
Riley Brogan
Georgia McSwain
Lily Buchholz
Christian Mezzalingua
Massimo Capozza
Noah O’Connor
Christopher Choay
Kevin Oliver
Emme Conan
Ellen Peterson
Thomas Cowden
Tess Alexandra Peterson
Thomas Coyne
Charles Pinckney
Caden Custer
William Pinckney
Max Dauerheim
Caroline Raymond
Anthony DiRubbo
Ryan Rivenburg
John F. Donovan
Lauren Roney
Grace Dower
Nicholas Wamp
Reagan Evan
Colin Weeks
Kristen Henry
Gabriela Welch
Nicholas Hernandez
Kyle Weldon
Emma Keady
Jack Whirtley
Hope Azzam
Benjamin Kringer
Margaret Rose Benedict
Luca Kuhns
Hannah Boyer
Grace Kush
Riley Brogan
Georgia McSwain
Lily Buchholz
Christian Mezzalingua
Massimo Capozza
Noah O’Connor
Christopher Choay
Kevin Oliver
Emme Conan
Ellen Peterson
Thomas Cowden
Tess Alexandra Peterson
Thomas Coyne
Charles Pinckney
Caden Custer
William Pinckney
Max Dauerheim
Caroline Raymond
Anthony DiRubbo
Ryan Rivenburg
John F. Donovan
Lauren Roney
Grace Dower
Nicholas Wamp
Reagan Evan
Colin Weeks
Kristen Henry
Gabriela Welch
Nicholas Hernandez
Kyle Weldon
Emma Keady
Jack Whirtley
Class of 2020 Call to Worship
Good morning and welcome to this year's Baccalaureate Mass. Today we are honoring the Skaneateles High School’s graduating Senior Class of 2020 and would like to extend a special thank you for joining us in our celebration. The theme chosen for today’s mass was inspired by all the chaotic events going on in the world around us. This theme reminds us to keep our hope constant; there is always a solution and these challenges we are faced with will only make us stronger. From a tweet posted on June 2, 2017, Pope Francis wrote, “Through the darkness of today's conflicts, every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness”.
I’ve always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason; God does in fact have a plan for us all. I think I can speak on behalf of my class when I say, selfishly as graduates we have all questioned “Why us? This was supposed to be our year. Our time to shine. Our time to experience the last day of school with one another, a normal graduation, Baccalaureate Mass, and all other traditions previous years has taken part of.” As wrongful as it is, these conflicts have been placed before us for a reason. Our graduating class was faced with these challenges because God knew we were strong enough to handle them. Our theme is our reminder that we are the bright candles, the light that will overcome this darkness. We have kept our spirits high and our hearts filled with hope. I am incredibly proud of the graduating class of 2020, as we have conquered challenge after challenge. In no way has this year been easy, but we have allowed our faith to aid us, to guide us in the direction of recovery and normalcy.
On behalf of the graduating Class of 2020, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Father Dunn, Father McGrath, and Father Lou for aiding us through our spiritual journey and inspiring development within our faith through knowledge and wisdom. Thank you to all parents and the parish community for the constant love, support, and guidance. The faith we have encountered and established here in the St. Mary’s community will live on within us as we venture onto our next journey. Thank you for sharing this special morning with us and please keep the Class of 2020 in your prayers as we begin the next chapter of our lives.
Written/read by Tess Peterson
Good morning and welcome to this year's Baccalaureate Mass. Today we are honoring the Skaneateles High School’s graduating Senior Class of 2020 and would like to extend a special thank you for joining us in our celebration. The theme chosen for today’s mass was inspired by all the chaotic events going on in the world around us. This theme reminds us to keep our hope constant; there is always a solution and these challenges we are faced with will only make us stronger. From a tweet posted on June 2, 2017, Pope Francis wrote, “Through the darkness of today's conflicts, every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness”.
I’ve always been a firm believer that everything happens for a reason; God does in fact have a plan for us all. I think I can speak on behalf of my class when I say, selfishly as graduates we have all questioned “Why us? This was supposed to be our year. Our time to shine. Our time to experience the last day of school with one another, a normal graduation, Baccalaureate Mass, and all other traditions previous years has taken part of.” As wrongful as it is, these conflicts have been placed before us for a reason. Our graduating class was faced with these challenges because God knew we were strong enough to handle them. Our theme is our reminder that we are the bright candles, the light that will overcome this darkness. We have kept our spirits high and our hearts filled with hope. I am incredibly proud of the graduating class of 2020, as we have conquered challenge after challenge. In no way has this year been easy, but we have allowed our faith to aid us, to guide us in the direction of recovery and normalcy.
On behalf of the graduating Class of 2020, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Father Dunn, Father McGrath, and Father Lou for aiding us through our spiritual journey and inspiring development within our faith through knowledge and wisdom. Thank you to all parents and the parish community for the constant love, support, and guidance. The faith we have encountered and established here in the St. Mary’s community will live on within us as we venture onto our next journey. Thank you for sharing this special morning with us and please keep the Class of 2020 in your prayers as we begin the next chapter of our lives.
Written/read by Tess Peterson
Class of 2020 Symbolic Gifts
Lake Water - Growing up on Skaneateles Lake has been very influential in our lives. Our childhood was centered around this lake and it holds many of our fondest memories. Water symbolizes the beginning of our spiritual journey, as well, when we are baptized and enter into the church. Our faith and our lives have been deeply rooted in water. We also see this lake water as a symbol of the fluidity of change that we endured much of this year. Water is not stable, much like our senior year has proven to be, but we have learned to flow with the waves and endure all the obstacles presented to us. Growing up on the lake has made us stronger and more adaptable as well as providing us with some of the best memories.
Mask and Sanitizer - The challenges we were presented with this year have been much different than the challenges any other grade of graduating seniors has had to endure. In the most crucial and memorable part of our senior year, typically full of celebration and close friendships, we were forced to distance ourselves from each other. We had to stay at home and facetime instead of talking face to face in class every day. We endured the challenges of online learning and had to find new ways to stay connected and attend class. If this time in quarantine has proven anything, it has shown our perseverance, not our weakness. This mask does not show purely our struggles, it shows our determination and ability to adapt to new things and because of it we are ready to open a new chapter in our lives.
Candle - Our class chose a candle to represent us, because it also represents our theme. “Through the darkness of today's conflicts, every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness”
A candle provides light and warms everything around it. In times of darkness, a candle can guide us and brightens everything its light touches.
Even though candles can be blown out, they always burn brighter than they did before. So even though our class had to deal with quarantine and everything closing, after it's all over we will be stronger than before.
With our faith, we have overcome all of this year’s struggles, and we will continue to shine through any darkness we face.
Written and read by Caroline Raymond and Meg Benedict
Lake Water - Growing up on Skaneateles Lake has been very influential in our lives. Our childhood was centered around this lake and it holds many of our fondest memories. Water symbolizes the beginning of our spiritual journey, as well, when we are baptized and enter into the church. Our faith and our lives have been deeply rooted in water. We also see this lake water as a symbol of the fluidity of change that we endured much of this year. Water is not stable, much like our senior year has proven to be, but we have learned to flow with the waves and endure all the obstacles presented to us. Growing up on the lake has made us stronger and more adaptable as well as providing us with some of the best memories.
Mask and Sanitizer - The challenges we were presented with this year have been much different than the challenges any other grade of graduating seniors has had to endure. In the most crucial and memorable part of our senior year, typically full of celebration and close friendships, we were forced to distance ourselves from each other. We had to stay at home and facetime instead of talking face to face in class every day. We endured the challenges of online learning and had to find new ways to stay connected and attend class. If this time in quarantine has proven anything, it has shown our perseverance, not our weakness. This mask does not show purely our struggles, it shows our determination and ability to adapt to new things and because of it we are ready to open a new chapter in our lives.
Candle - Our class chose a candle to represent us, because it also represents our theme. “Through the darkness of today's conflicts, every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness”
A candle provides light and warms everything around it. In times of darkness, a candle can guide us and brightens everything its light touches.
Even though candles can be blown out, they always burn brighter than they did before. So even though our class had to deal with quarantine and everything closing, after it's all over we will be stronger than before.
With our faith, we have overcome all of this year’s struggles, and we will continue to shine through any darkness we face.
Written and read by Caroline Raymond and Meg Benedict
Prayers of the Faithful for the Baccalaureate Mass 2020
Please respond: Lord, let us light the way
For the Catholic church, that it is able to move forward and be a source of comfort for those who are most vulnerable in our communities .With faith and confidence we pray….
For all the world, that we may find peace and comfort during this time of uncertainty and conflict.
For government officials and law enforcement, that they may find the strength to do the right thing and serve both our country and humanity.
For those who are witnessing financial insecurities as a result of the current upheaval in our nation, that they may find reassurance and the resolution of these insecurities in the months to come.
For all who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus, that they may find comfort and not have to face this loss alone.
For our country, that it will be able to put it’s prejudices behind and that all people no matter their race, religion, or political beliefs can join together and move forward in the future.
For our teachers, parents and all who help us each and every day, that they understand how much their work is appreciated and continue to be a positive influence in the future.
For the class of 2020, that as we move forward into the future we will make a positive difference in our world.
For our deceased loved ones, especially our classmate Marissa Reilly, that they find eternal rest with God.
For the intentions in our parish book of prayer, on the prayer chain and for those which we hold deep within our hearts.
Written/read by: Georgia McSwain
Please respond: Lord, let us light the way
For the Catholic church, that it is able to move forward and be a source of comfort for those who are most vulnerable in our communities .With faith and confidence we pray….
For all the world, that we may find peace and comfort during this time of uncertainty and conflict.
For government officials and law enforcement, that they may find the strength to do the right thing and serve both our country and humanity.
For those who are witnessing financial insecurities as a result of the current upheaval in our nation, that they may find reassurance and the resolution of these insecurities in the months to come.
For all who have lost loved ones to the coronavirus, that they may find comfort and not have to face this loss alone.
For our country, that it will be able to put it’s prejudices behind and that all people no matter their race, religion, or political beliefs can join together and move forward in the future.
For our teachers, parents and all who help us each and every day, that they understand how much their work is appreciated and continue to be a positive influence in the future.
For the class of 2020, that as we move forward into the future we will make a positive difference in our world.
For our deceased loved ones, especially our classmate Marissa Reilly, that they find eternal rest with God.
For the intentions in our parish book of prayer, on the prayer chain and for those which we hold deep within our hearts.
Written/read by: Georgia McSwain
1st Reading Proclaimed by: Anthony DiRubbo
Responsorial Psalm proclaimed by: Hope Azzam
2nd Reading Proclaimed by: Emme Conan
Keyboard : Ben Kringer
Music Ministry: Kringer family, Azzam family, Benedict family, Raymond family
Responsorial Psalm proclaimed by: Hope Azzam
2nd Reading Proclaimed by: Emme Conan
Keyboard : Ben Kringer
Music Ministry: Kringer family, Azzam family, Benedict family, Raymond family