Helias graduates given a challenge for life

Helias graduating seniors sing during the graduation mass Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.
Helias graduating seniors sing during the graduation mass Sunday afternoon at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.

The Rev. Colin Franklin told the 183 graduating seniors from Helias Catholic High School having earned a diploma doesn't mean they've reached completion or perfection, but that the task has been handed over to them to continue to pursue what they were created to do in life.

People often choose role models to help them determine what is is to be a good artist, athlete, engineer, teacher, father or mother, he said.

"For that there is no other source than God himself," he said. Franklin gave the homily during Sunday's 2-hour graduation liturgy and commencement at St. Joseph Cathedral. "Keep close to Christ. Be drawn closer to the faith.

"Realize that the last 18-19 years have represented thousands or perhaps millions of hours of love being poured into you that creates, form and shape who you have become," he said.

Sister Jean Dietrich, Helias' principal, highlighted some of the awards earned by graduates. Among them were:

• Graduates entering the armed

services: Christian Collins, Missouri Army National Guard; Mckenzie Ordway, Missouri Army National Guard; and Bethany Luebbert, Air Force.

• Baylee Francka received the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award.

• Sam Donovan was selected for the Missouri Scholars 100, a statewide program that honors 100 of Missouri's top academic students in the graduating class of 2014.

• Erica Jenkins has been accepted as a Rotary exchange student for the 2014-2015 school year in the country of Colombia.

• Brook Gilmore and Rachel Kleffner received the Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger Service Award for donating more than 500 hours of service during their years at Helias.

In his closing reflection, Father Stephen Jones thanked retiring Dean of Students Stan Ochsner for his service to Helias. "No one has a greater love and passion for this school," he said.

Jones told the students: "My prayer is that you all continue to strive for what God has created you to be. And God has created you to be saints."

Student Council President Nate Jones told his fellow classmates that Helias is a "life-changing experience."

"What makes us special is how much of a family we became," he said.

Dietrich also asked those in the class accepting scholarships to stand, and most of the class did.