More than 700 eighth graders mark the end of grammar school at the church where President John F. Kennedy was confirmed
More than 700 eighth-grade Bronx Catholic school students gathered Thursday for a graduation Mass at the Church of St. Margaret of Cortona in the North Riverdale section of that borough.
“You’re going to start high school, and you have a choice. You can either remain inside yourself, it’s all about me, or you can throw yourself into the full high school experience. And if you do that, if you go beyond yourself, then like Mary, you’re going to find how God is calling each of you to bring Jesus alive,” said Bishop Edmund J. Whalen, vicar general of the Archdiocese of New York, the Mass’ principal celebrant.
Twenty archdiocesan schools from the Bronx participated in the Mass as the Class of 2026 prepares to move on to high school in the fall.
“I want to suggest three things to do in reflection, three things to tell God right now,” Bishop Whalen urged the students in his homily. “Tell God who you are, not what you have, but who you are. Tell God about your hopes, your dreams, your aspirations for these next four years. And think of three people who have shaped you during your years in Catholic school, and tell God, ‘Thank you for those three people,’ because those three people have shown you God.”
Ray Vitiello, Bronx regional superintendent of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York, echoed Bishop Whalen’s sentiments.
“Work hard, be yourselves, and always reach for the stars. I wish you much luck, joy, and happiness in high school, and I pray that the Holy Spirit continues to guide you all the days of your life,” said Vitiello.
A historic setting
Opened in 1889, St. Margaret of Cortona, now part of the parish of St. Margaret of Cortona-St. Gabriel, houses a first class-relic from its namesake. It is also the church where President John F. Kennedy was confirmed on April 27, 1928.
The schools that participated in the Mass are: Academy of Mt. St. Ursula; Christ the King; Holy Cross; Holy Rosary; Mt. St. Michael Academy; Our Lady of Grace; Our Lady of Mt. Carmel; St. Anselm; St. Athanasius; St. Benedict; St. Catharine Academy; St. Clare of Assisi/St. Francis Xavier; St. Frances de Chantal; St. Francis of Assisi; St. Helena; St. John Chrysostom; St. Margaret of Cortona/St. Gabriel; St. Philip Neri; St. Raymond; St. Theresa; and Villa Maria Academy.