Dear Graduates of St. Ann's School,
Allow me to first of all congratulate each one of you. My congratulations extends too to your parents, your teacher and the whole faculty staff who have shared their precious time, amazing talents and sacrificial love in all that they do to support you all to reach your goal at this point of your life.

In the midst of Covid-19, you have come up victorious in the many challenges posed to you by this pandemic, in your education in particular - your most unforgettable experience indeed which I am certain you will all look back someday, sometime in the future and will be proudly sharing how it has made you stronger, more confident and prouder of yourself. This is the very reason why TODAY, on your graduation day even if very different from other graduation days, is a very special day.  Today is a day many of you have waited for with great expectation, perhaps different from what you have planned before the pandemic hits us all; but it is surely a day you have been ready for and a big step forward in your lives. When many of you came to St. Ann’s years ago, it may have seemed perhaps so big; and now for some of you, if not all, it seems so very small indeed.  But that’s OK… Your desire to move and explore new horizons, your desire to try something different and raise the bar a little, all of these things mean that St. Ann's School has served you well.
Now, everyone must have been telling you that High School is really different and it is - another big challenge in the beginning of a new milestone in your life. However, we know that you are ready. You’ve done well here and you have the ability to do well wherever you go. We are so proud of you. 

In preparing yourselves intellectually in the classroom and physically in the playground, it is my fervent hope, being one of the best Catholic schools in the Diocese of Trenton, that we have helped you understand that you are special in God’s eyes. God’s love is not dependent on what you say, or how you act, or what you accomplish.  God’s love is unconditional. He loves you now and He will love you forever, even if in the end you choose not to love Him.
 
Let the love of God always be your guide. This is what you could be most proud of. He is the source of wisdom. The knowledge we, your priest, your teachers, your parents have imparted to you is but a proof that God cares for you and that He loves you for He has sent us to be His instruments in sharing His wisdom and life to you. Always recognize His love for you then. He'll be there for you wherever you are, whatever you do, whenever you need Him. Pray and be thankful always.
If you ever get lost, and I hope you don’t, try pause, look up and look back and you will find the light of God’s love. He's there to guide you and strengthen you once again.
Dear 8th Graders, God has a plan. He has a plan for you.  Each and every one of you is a very important part, an indispensable part in the wonderful puzzle of God’s loving providence. There is nothing more disappointing to spend tons of time putting together a huge puzzle and then finding a piece is missing...you and your hard work.
In the next four years of High School, begin to dream, find what you like to do, try lots of things… make sure that they are all legal, age appropriate, and exciting.  Maybe God will begin to show you where you fit into the puzzle of his divine providence.  Maybe God will show you where he needs you.  Listen carefully when Jesus says come follow me.  He may lead you to be a teacher, a computer programmer, a financial guru, a priest, a religious sister, a doctor or lawyer, a social worker, a counselor or, whatever…..Yes, high school is a time when God begins to let you understand the dreams he has had for you from the beginning of time.
Congratulations to all of you again and all the best. God loves you.

Fr. Lines
Pastor
Church of SAint Ann