Congratulations on reaching this beautiful milestone! On behalf of the Office of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Columbus, it is my privilege and honor to welcome more than 1,000 of you into the alumni community of Our Catholic Schools. Along with your family and friends, we are so proud of all you have done throughout your high school career.
As you walk across the stage and receive your diplomas, know that you carry with you more than academic achievement—you carry the fruits of your Catholic education. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of Matthew, “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7:16). The fruit of a Catholic education is not simply good grades or college acceptances, but a heart rooted in love—love for God, love for others, and the knowledge that you are a beloved child of God, created with purpose.
You have spent your formative years immersed in a community that not only challenged your mind but nurtured your soul. Through the sacraments, daily prayer, service, and the witness of your teachers and mentors, you have grown in faith. These years have been about more than textbooks and tests; they’ve been about discovering your unique gifts and learning how to use them in service of something far greater than yourself.
As you prepare to enter the next chapter — whether that be college, the workforce, military service, or another path — take with you this truth: you are never alone. God walks with you and continues to call you into a deeper relationship with Him. The world will offer many distractions, but your faith is your anchor. Stay close to the Church. Get involved in campus ministry, attend Mass regularly, seek out opportunities to serve and grow in community. Your faith is not something to pack away as you move forward—it is your compass. Let your life continue to bear the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).
And never forget who you are: a child of God, created in His image, with a purpose that only you can fulfill. The world needs your light. Let your love of God be evident in your choices, your relationships, and your integrity.
Graduation is not an end — it is a beginning. Go forward with courage. Remain rooted in Christ. And remember, we will know you by your fruits. May they always be abundant, and may they always point others to the love of God.