Homily: May 20, 2026 Holy Family School Graduation Mass

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 We just heard the first reading from Isaiah:

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.”

Today is a wonderful milestone in your life. You must be so eager to go out and soar on wings like eagles!!

But note what is the condition before this line: “Those who hope in the Lord…”

Do you remember how it was when you first came to Holy Family School?

Some of you came when you were tiny kids. Some of you could not even speak English. Many of you must have been anxious because everything was new to you, teachers and classmates, rules and environment… But over time, days, months and years passed, this school has become your second home.

These hallways hold many memories for every one of you: laughter, friendships, victories, even tears, fears and disappointments. There might have been times when you thought you would never make it through. But you did, you got through, you are here now, celebrating the fact that you did not give up, you kept going, you hoped in the Lord and your strength was renewed when you needed it.

You are no longer tiny kids who knew nothing, you are now graduates who have learnt a lot about the world, about yourself, about God.

As you grow up, you will realize that one of the greatest blessings in your life is to be educated in a Catholic school. Here, you not only learned math, science, reading, history and all the great knowledge of the world, you also learned something important and valuable throughout life, that God is your Creator and He loves you.

You will never graduate out of that Truth, because God will continue to love you, guide you and bless you all the days of your life, if you let Him.

As you begin a new chapter, and you will have many new chapters in your life, remember that God is always there with you. He will never leave you alone, Jesus promised. God’s love for you will never change.

So where are you going after this?

Many of you will be going to different places, into different experiences, learning new things, making new friends, but one thing for sure, you are all going toward God. Me too. Your teachers too.

Never forget that you are a child of God, and He has a plan for you, a good plan, better than your own. Discover what that plan is, and you will find meaning and fulfillment in life.

In the second reading, St. Paul tells us that even if we are talented, intelligent, successful, or powerful, but without love, we are nothing. That means, without God we are nothing, because God is love.

And in the Gospel, Jesus asks Peter one simple question three times: “Do you love me?”

At the end of your life, whether you achieved success or not, that will be the most important question we have to answer Jesus too.

So, whatever you choose, wherever you go, always love Jesus and follow His teachings. Stay close to Him. Pray more when you get busier, pray harder when things get tougher, because connecting with God will help you move along better.

Come to Mass even when others have stopped, pull them along, encourage them. Do not be ashamed of your faith because God is never ashamed of you.

You will soon enter a bigger school, and the world will seem larger. There will be new challenges. Just like when you were younger, there will be times when you might think you can’t make it through… you will, if you hope in the Lord, your strength will be renewed, and you will soar on wings like eagles. God is with you. God loves you.

Congratulations, graduates!


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