ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Praised be Jesus Christ...now and forever!

Brother Priests; Administration, Faculty & Staff of Archbishop Wood High School; Graduates and your Families; Friends in Christ,

Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2010 of Archbishop Wood High School! I commend you for your hard work and sacrifice. May the education and formation you received at Archbishop Wood, encourage you to open your hearts in loving service of our Church and nation.

I also congratulate the parents of our graduates. You are the primary educators in the faith. Through the many sacrifices you have made to provide a Catholic education, you have nurtured the lives entrusted to you by God.

Graduates, your high school years have been marked by numerous achievements. We acknowledge those among you who have been awarded academic honors or have even been granted scholarships to college.
We recognized those who have competed in athletics. Special mention is made of the girls’ soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, swimming, and basketball teams as well as the boys’ football and soccer teams who were crowned champions.

Your interests reached beyond the classroom or field of sports. Through “Athletes Helping Athletes” you reached out to the elderly in Luther Park Retirement home and assisted mentally challenged youth. You enjoyed your own senior prom but also hosted a real senior prom for the elderly in this area. You supported our combat troops by donating money to the “Wounded Warriors Association.” You provided calling cards that enable soldiers to contact loved ones back at home. You helped fight cancer through your “Beads of Courage” program, and the money raised by raffles and the sale of daffodils. Many of you provided tutoring services after school. Your “Community Service Corps” provided many services including “Charity Wednesday,” “Aid for Friends,” and “Operation Santa Claus.” These are just some of the many ways you put your faith into practice. Dear young people, your concern for others is admirable.

In the Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the vine and we are the branches. Jesus draws from an image that was part of the religious heritage of the Jewish nation. Vines were and still are abundant in Israel. The vine had actually become the symbol of the nation of Israel. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is pictured as the vine or the vineyard of God. Israel is the vine that God brought out of Egypt and planted.

It is curious that in the Old Testament, the symbol of the vine is always used in connection with Israel’s disobedience. Old Testament prophets expressed unhappiness that Israel had become a wild and degenerate vine. Though Israel was God’s vine, it refused to listen to Him and live as He requested. As a result so many became withered and useless branches.

In contrast, Jesus identifies himself as the “true” vine. Unlike a wild and disobedient vine, Jesus is the faithful and obedient vine that is planted by God to give life to the world. Since He is the true vine, the only way that our lives can bear fruit is for us to have intimate and loving fellowship with Him. He is the vine of God and we must be branches joined to Him. Faith in Jesus and friendship with Him is the only means to happiness and salvation. Apart from Him we can accomplish nothing.

Graduates, Jesus is the vine and you are the branches. You will remain connected to the vine by making deliberate choices to be with him. Pray each day, even if only for a few moments. Jesus wants converse with you about all of your concerns. The Sacred Heart of Jesus overflows with love for you. Jesus manifested that love through His death on the Cross. He continues to offer His love to you each day as much as He did on Calvary. Jesus says: “Ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” If you are leaving home after graduation, take a bible and rosary with you. Read the scriptures, especially the gospels. Pray the rosary and meditate on the life of Christ. Most of all, remain close to Jesus in the Eucharist. Attend Mass regularly. The Bread of Life is the most powerful means of being joined to Jesus. Arrange your life, arrange your prayer, arrange your silence in such a way that there is never a day when you give yourself a chance to forget Jesus.

Apart from Christ, you will wither, but if you remain in Christ, you will bear much fruit. God is glorified, when you bear much fruit and show yourself to be a disciple of Jesus. The greatest glory of the Christian life is that by our life and conduct we can bring glory to God. In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul writes of the privilege of preaching Jesus Christ to the world. God had revealed to Paul the mystery of Jesus Christ and Paul was intent on sharing that good news with others. You too are invited by Jesus to be His disciples. Speak with boldness and confidence about Jesus, and the good things he has done for you. Better yet, glorify God by the way you live. Inspire others to a deeper love of Jesus by the example of your life. Follow the motto of Archbishop James Frederick Wood for whom this school is named. “Be faithful unto death.”

I am sure that during your years at Archbishop Wood you have cheered your school with the chant of “Go Vikings!” As you know, the Vikings, were explorers. So I say to you this evening, “Go Vikings!” Go forth and explore the world that God has created. Search for truth. Since God is truth, a real search for truth will always lead to God. Discover the mystery of Jesus in yourself and others. Be humble in your successes and hopeful in your struggles. Most of all remain one with Jesus, as branches on the vine.

Tonight, we are thankful in many ways. I am particularly grateful to parents who entrust the education and formation of their children to Catholic schools. Graduates, know that your parents are proud of you and your achievements. Be grateful to them for the many sacrifices they have made.

I appreciate the support offered by the entire Catholic community. Their prayers and financial support enable Catholic schools to accomplish their mission. The administration, faculty and staff who collaborate at Archbishop Wood High School deserve special recognition. You, dear friends, give generously of yourselves to advance the teaching mission of the Church. This is a great contribution to building up the Kingdom of God.

Again, dear graduates, I congratulate you, and I entrust you to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May the love of Jesus dwell always in your hearts.

Endnotes

1. John 15:5.
2. Isaiah 5:1-7; Jeremiah 2:21; Psalm 80:8.
3. John 15:1.
4. John 15:5.
5. John 15:8.
6. Ephesians 3:12.
7. “Esto Fidelis Usque Ad Mortem.” Episcopal motto of James Frederick Wood, 5th Bishop of Philadelphia (1860-1883).