CHARLOTTE — Graduating seniors from Charlotte Catholic High School gathered with family and friends May 19 at St. Matthew Church for a Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael Martin.
The largest of the diocese’s high schools, CCHS celebrated the 324 members of the class of 2026 who this year earned $25,186,236 in scholarships – a school record.
Baccalaureate Masses are also planned for Bishop McGuinness High School at 6 p.m. May 22 at Holy Cross Church in Kernersville and for Christ the King High School at 5 p.m. May 26 at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.
Bishop Martin reminded the congregation of the night’s message of both expectation and gratitude.
“This is a night of great joy in the way God has been at work in these graduates,” he said after the seniors processed into the church clad in their red graduation gowns.
In his homily, Bishop Martin referenced the 2004 film “National Treasure,” and got laughter from the pews when he reminded the seniors that none of them had been born when it was released.
In that movie, a group of treasure hunters search for a fictional Revolutionary War treasure map that is written in invisible ink on the back of the Declaration of Independence and can only be seen through the lenses on a special set of glasses.
He used that implausible plot line as a metaphor for the ways students should approach the special gifts of the faith they’ve been given by Catholic education. The past four years can be used as a lens, he said, “to see the great treasure which is your life – a lens the world won’t give you, and without it the fullness of life, the true richness can’t be found. That lens is Jesus Christ.”
He encouraged the students to build their relationship with Jesus Christ and use the faith nurtured at CCHS to help them feel gratitude for their academic educations and the support they received from parents, teachers and staff. Faith will also give them a sense of purpose as they begin their lives after high school, he said.
“It is only when we see our experience through the lens of Jesus that we are able to appreciate who we are, what our purpose is and how we can proceed and take the next step to what comes as life commences,” he said.
He also reflected on the night’s readings from Isaiah, Corinthians and Matthew’s Gospel, encouraging the students to make good choices and to realize that lives of strength and holiness can be theirs if they only decide to pursue them.
After the Mass, students gathered in a courtyard in front of the church to greet Bishop Martin, take photos, share refreshments and celebrate with family and friends.
Soleil Demetry, who plans to attend Yale University and major in biomedical engineering, found meaning in the Mass.
“Bishop Martin’s homily was really good because it was directly related to things we’ll face in going off to college and other things we’re doing with our lives,” she said.
Rosamaria Moreno was emotional about the evening, especially as she watched her daughter Sophie Moreno singing with other seniors in the choir.
“It was wonderful and magical,” she said. “I’m very happy that my daughter was able to sing for it. The Mass was very meaningful and a once in a lifetime experience for me. I’m a mother of five and this is the first time I’ve been able to attend a Mass like this.”
— Christina Lee Knauss. Photos by Troy C. Hull
Bishop McGuinness High School
KERNERSVILLE — Bishop McGuinness High School celebrated its Baccalaureate Mass May 22 at Holy Cross Church.
High school chaplain Father Chrisopher Brock celebrated the Mass, using readings selected by Bishop Michael Martin for the students gathered with family and friends.
“Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School seeks to form the faith, character and intellect of its students, and this gives you a solid foundation on which to build your future,” Father Brock told the students. “A foundation that if you stay true to it, will support you as you enter into the future.”
During the Mass, graduates kept the treasured school tradition of presenting their mothers with roses to thank them for all they have done over the years.
Noting the importance of the Catholic education he and fellow graduates received, senior Devon Stalek said one of the most important skills he and classmates have learned is how to care for each other.
"This school is like a family," Stalek said. "It’s a small tight knit community and we all care about each other so much. The memories that we make here are just not going to go away.”
Graduate Daniella Perez, who will be attending University of North Carolina at Greensboro, agreed.
“The smaller classes have really helped us over the years at Bishop, but it’s really nice knowing we all have the same faith,” she said.
As Father Brock reminded students, “Remember what God has done for you. Remember how He has blessed you in your life, so when you go through difficult times in the future…He will be there to support you.”
Most of all, Father Brock encouraged them to remember the Gospel reading from Matthew that talks about knocking on the door and asking for help as life plans inevitably change.
“Always ask Jesus Christ, stay rooted in Jesus Christ and you will become the Saints God is calling you to be,” Father Brock said. “And as you go into the future, know you are loved and you will find joy.”
Christ the King High School
HUNTERSVILLE — The Class of 2026 celebrated their graduation from Christ the King High School with Bishop Michael T. Martin, who presided over the May 26 Baccalaureate Mass at St. Mark Catholic Church.
Several of the graduating Crusaders participated in Mass, singing in the choir, reciting the readings, and presenting the gifts.
“It was a beautiful Mass. The bishop was tremendously generous with his time,” Vice Principal Dr. Brian Keenan said. “He said a great homily about taking the next steps. The bishop spoke about gratitude and how to move forward in faith. I just thought it was a beautiful pastoral moment to help students mentally shift gears.”
In his homily, Bishop Martin shared a powerful image from the movie National Treasure, in which a treasure map could only be discovered through a special set of lenses. He challenged graduates to remember that the true lens through which they must view themselves and the world is God.
"Unless you see yourself and the world through the lens of Jesus Christ, you will never fully appreciate the treasure that you are and the treasure that this world is," he said.
Afterwards, the bishop gave seniors their final homework assignment, instructing them to look up their future college and find its Catholic Campus Ministry. He told them to send the ministry an email, notifying them of their intentions to join next year.
The Crusader class of 2026 will be missed and is one of the most school-spirited Keenan has seen.
“They were just a blast to have. They brought this massive enthusiasm to basketball games, football games – even away games,” Keenan said. “Even on the night of Baccalaureate, all these seniors showed up with their suits and ties and their dresses on to support the soccer team, and that is just the kind of enthusiasm and buy-in this senior class had. It’s like their faith is so precious to them, but they also bring excitement. They were such a great bunch.”
The Crusaders took their final bow Wednesday night as they crossed the stage of the Knights Theater in Charlotte, throwing up their caps to a job well done.
— Lisa M. Geraci, photos provided
