These closing comments were offered at the end of our traditional “Prize Day.”

Members of the Board of Trustees, Faculty and Staff, Students and Family members. Thank you for being here this morning, and for sharing in the formal ceremonial end of the 2017-2018 school year.

The end of the year signals for all of us a time of celebration, especially as we come to the end of this Prize Day program where so many of you have been recognized for outstanding achievement.

Today, we celebrate your success, and, more importantly, we celebrate the character of your person as reflected by these awards.  Behind each of these prizes and awards stands a person who has made a decision–a decision to pursue a dream and a goal, and a decision to stick with something through all the great moments and, also, through all the challenging moments.   Rev. Martin Luther King Jr once observed that “Intelligence plus character— is the goal of a true education.” (And, I would add “faith” to that goal.)

Yes, today, we celebrate achievement and the character of our award winners, but we also celebrate the many ways in which each of us grew this year– the many ways each of us achieved success.

Not all our successes were so public as these today. In fact, if the truth be told, most moments of personal success are not so often apparent to others. For example, perhaps, you were able to make a good friend this year—a friend that you will probably be friends with for a long time. Perhaps, you were finally able to speak in front of a large group and not be so nervous to do so. Maybe…. you summoned up your courage to ask someone to help you instead of struggling alone. Maybe, you took responsibility for something … even though that took a lot of courage.

Maybe… …Well, let me ask you: What were some of your secret or hidden successes this year?

I believe that if we ask we can find God in the big public moments of personal accomplishments, and, also, in the more profoundly small, and sometimes even messy moments of our lives.   To me, wherever we find God, there is grace—and it is right there in the heart of God’s love, we should end this year…with each one of us, and together as a community of the Sacred Heart, giving thanks for God’s grace.

…Giving thanks for God’s grace finding us in every moment—the big ones and the small hidden moments, the moments of pure fun and laughter, the moments of digging deep and determination, the moments of wonder and discovery, and for the moments of real courage in your lives this year.

As we end the 2018 school year, I pray that each one of find the loving gift of God’s grace in wonderful ways throughout the summer months. We will miss you at ASH and we look forward to welcoming you back in August.