Graduating high school is a significant milestone and cause for community celebrations. Unfortunately, the 2020 graduating seniors will not be able to celebrate their achievements like their peers in years past as graduation ceremonies are canceled or postponed. Despite the challenges, three Southwest Franciscan parishes decided to honor their graduates in special and creative ways.

St Francis of Assisi Parish in Gallup, New Mexico, is paying tribute to their seniors by offering a special graduation Mass on Sunday, May 24, 2020. Abel Olivas, OFM, made a call-out on social media for those graduating (from any grade!) to send in photos to be prominently placed in front of the altar.  In addition to St. Francis of Assisi in Gallup, St. John the Baptist Church and St. Peter's Community in Roswell, New Mexico are also getting creative to honor their seniors.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church created a Graduates Blessing interactive web page (http://sanjuannm.org/home/graduates-blessing-2/). In addition to providing special graduation prayers, the names of graduates are listed on the website with warm accolades from the community. Family members are also invited to submit their graduates' names as a Mass intention. St. Peter's Catholic Community is also taking a virtual route to honor seniors through their social media (https://www.facebook.com/StPeterCatholicParish). Charlie Martinez, OFM, shares senior pictures and announcements highlighting their current school, and plans for the future. He also created a video to honor the graduates.

Although their graduation experience was unexpected in many ways, we pray that the class of 2020 knows how proud our Province is of their achievements! Congratulations graduates, YOU DID IT!

GRADUATION BLESSING

Before you were even formed, God knew you.
While in your Mother's womb, God named you.
At your birth, God's breath filled you with life.

Today we celebrate what you have become
at this moment in time.
And so we pray,

God of our beginnings,
We thank you for the gifts of these graduates;
their excitement, their awesome wonder and curiosity,
their open speech and encouraging words.
Their contributions have blessed and challenged us,
and we have become a richer
and more diverse community because of them.

As they step forward into the world that awaits,
comfort their fears with the full knowledge of your divine presence.

Strengthen their resolve to walk in the footsteps of Jesus
as modern-day disciples in a world that needs their spirit.

Guide their feet as they move through life,
protecting them from the pitfalls of darkness
while they help to lead future generations
into the warmth and promise of your light.

We ask this blessing upon each of them,
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

~ from the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry